Tarzan the Musical, closing this weekend at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, showcases not only the outstanding performances by 34 cast members, it also underscores the importance of a dynamic orchestra.
From the beginning, both sets of players demonstrated an ability to stimulate the audience while telling a story that is o75 years old.
The story of Tarzan never gets old, though, especially when told through singing and dancing led by Devin Archer as Tarzan, Katie DeShan as Jane Porter, Mark Cedric Smith as Kerchak, Daebreon Poiema as Kala, Lawrence Cummings as Trek, Joey D’Auria as Prof. Porter, and Jude Mason as the young Tarzan. The musical director and conductor is Nick Petrillo.
Tarzan, produced by 3D Theatricals and directed by Rufus Bond and assistant T.J. Dawson, is a musical for every age. The choreography is by Linda Love Simmons and Paul Rubin.
“I started doing plays when I was in middle school,” said Mr. Archer after his latest performance at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. “I started singing in the church choir in St. Louis. I continued to working on it at Northwestern University.”
He loves playing Tarzan “although it is very demanding physically. It is an awesome feeling to get inside the skin of Tarzan,” Mr. Archer said. “He is an amazing guy.”
One of the most demanding parts in the musical is played by Ms. Poiema, who is Kala, Tarzan’s ape mother. She has to walk on all fours and mimic a gorilla for two hours.
“Physically this is the most demanding and challenging part I have ever done,” said Ms. Poiema who grew up in the Lakewood-Bellflower.
Stringent preparation is required.
“I have to get in the right mental place before every performance,” she says.
“I feel great because I am sharing the story of Tarzan with a lot of people.”
The most powerful character in Tarzan the Musical is Kerchak, Tarzan’s ape father. “I was a voice major in college at Central Washington and the University of Washington,” said Mr. Smith. “I was singing in a church choir in San Francisco. Someone suggested that I try out for the San Francisco opera. At that time I was modeling during the day and singing at night. Quickly, though, I found out what God made me for.”
Mark Cedric Smith considers himself lucky.
“Millions of people go to jobs that they hate,” he says. “I get to do the work that I love. This is a work of passion.”
Final performances of Tarzan the Musical at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center are set for Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 and 8, and Sunday at 2.
You may order tickets at www.3dtshows.com.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
