Tarzan the Musical in Holland
DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS AND
STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
ANNOUNCE EUROPEAN PRODUCTION OF
TARZAN
New deal continues long standing
co-production partnership between Disney and Stage Entertainment
(May 22, 2006) Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment, the largest theatrical producing company in Europe, announce an expansion of their relationship. Beginning with their first international production of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida in 2001, the companies have mounted six Disney musicals that have played to an audience of over 10 million people in Germany and Holland alone. Disney/Stage Entertainment shows have grossed over $400 million in ticket sales.
Continuing this relationship, the two companies announced Monday evening (May 22, 2006) that Disney's newest musical, Tarzan, will be their next co-production in Europe, set to open in Holland next spring at the Circustheatre near Amsterdam. Phil Collins made the announcement tonight in Holland at a live telecast of the Dutch Theatre Awards.
"It's unusual for a second production to be mounted so soon after a Broadway opening," said Thomas Schumacher, President, Disney Theatrical Productions, "but Joop van den Ende and his team have been supportive of the show throughout its development and I am very pleased it will have its international premiere in The Netherlands."
Casting for this Dutch language production begins immediately. "I wish I could clone Josh Strickland and Jenn Gambatese and the whole New York cast," said Schumacher, "but we need them here and Europe now has excellent performers."
"We love the show and believe it will make a strong connection with European audiences," said Joop Van Den Ende, Stage Entertainment Chairman, "I am also very proud that Disney has once again selected to give us these exclusive rights."
Stage Entertainment currently has five Disney productions in their theatres, including The Lion King in its fifth year in Germany and its third year in Holland, Beauty and the Beast on tour in Germany and Holland and Aida on tour in Germany.
BROADWAY STARS JOSH STRICKLAND, JENN GAMBATESE
AND CHESTER GREGORY VISIT HOLLAND TO LAUNCH
TARZAN THE MUSICAL
(October 11, 2006) Tarzan's Broadway stars Josh Strickland (Tarzan), Jenn Gambatese (Jane) and Chester Gregory (Terk) paid a visit to Amsterdam last week to help introduce Tarzan in Holland. The actors performed songs from Tarzan at a presentation hosted by Disney Theatrical Productions' President Thomas Schumacher, who noted the great success of Disney Theatrical's long relationship with Joop van den Ende and Stage Entertainment.
Stage Entertainment's production of Tarzan will open at Holland's Circustheatre on April 15, 2007 -- less than twelve months following the show's opening on Broadway. Tarzan opened on Broadway on May 10, 2006 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre where it has set a new box office record.
In addition, members of the Tarzan creative team from both New York and London were in Amsterdam this past week to continue auditions for the Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment production of Tarzan. The casting process is underway in Holland, with casting decisions to be announced in the coming months.
When Tarzan opens in April, the 100-year old Circustheatre will hold the unique distinction of being the only venue in the world to host productions of all of Disney's Broadway productions to date -- Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida played for eighteen months from October 2001 to April 2003 and was followed by The Lion King's record-smashing 28-month engagement. Stage Entertainment's Dutch-language tour of Beauty and the Beast is currently playing there through the end of the year.
In addition to Tarzan, Stage Entertainment is currently producing three Disney shows -- The Lion King in its fifth year in Hamburg, Beauty and the Beast on tour in Germany and Holland, and Aida on tour in Germany.
DISNEY'S TARZAN BEGINS REHEARSALS IN HOLLAND ON JANUARY 9th
First European production of the new musical will premiere in Amsterdam on April 15, 2007
(January 9, 2007) January 9th 2007 marks the beginning of rehearsals for Disney's first international production of TARZAN, Broadway's High Flying Adventure. The production is a continuation of a long-standing co-partnership between Disney Theatrical Productions and Stage Entertainment, the collaboration that has mounted six Disney musicals in Europe, grossing over $400 million in ticket sales. TARZAN will open April 15, 2007 at the Circustheatre near Amsterdam.
Rehearsals will be held outside Amsterdam in an industrial venue where the technical set has been built to allow the cast to rehearse the complicated swinging and flying scenes required in the show. Starring in the title role is Ron Link, a 27-year old from Nijmegen, who beat out five semi-finalists to win the reality television program, "Wie Wordt Tarzan?" (Who is going to be Tarzan?), created specifically to choose Holland's leading man for the musical. Playing the role of Jane Porter, Tarzan's love interest will be Chantal Janzen, a 27-year old actress from Tegelen. Over one million viewers tuned in to the live TV show and cast their votes to select the new Dutch Tarzan star.
"Casting for our premiere international production of TARZAN was not an easy task," said Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions. "The candidates went through a rigorous audition process, and were all incredibly talented actors. We are excited to begin rehearsals and entertain Dutch audiences with our new show."
"The start of the rehearsal process for TARZAN is a major step in the production process," added Joop van den Ende, Stage Entertainment Chairman. "We are thrilled to mount a Dutch language production with an immensely talented creative team and new cast."
Stage Entertainment currently has four Disney productions in their theatres, including The Lion King in its sixth year in Germany, Beauty and the Beast on tour in Germany and Holland, and Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida on tour in Germany. Disney/Stage Entertainment shows have played to an audience of over 10 million people in Germany and Holland alone. A new French production of The Lion King opens in Paris in October of this year.
TARZAN recently made its world premiere on Broadway on May 10th 2006 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The show recently celebrated 250 performances in December 2006 and set a fifth box office record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre by grossing $1,140,848 during the eight performance week of December 26 - 31, 2006. The previous record was held by TARZAN, with a gross of $919,950.
TARZAN is based on the Disney animated film and features music and lyrics by Phil Collins. The original cast recording of TARZAN was released by Walt Disney Records and is available now at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, in music stores nationwide and at online retailers including Amazon, iTunes and Disney Shopping.
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-- Posted February 28, 2007