Behind The Ears: The History of Disney’s TARZAN on Broadway

[@BehindTheMagic]

If you’re enjoying my videos, don’t forget to subscribe! And if you’re REALLY enjoying my videos, consider subscribing to my Patreon! www.patreon.com/behindthemagic

[@CoaTravelNut]

do the lion king next! I want to know how the musical came to be and how it became one of the most successful musicals today!

[@Kaylin777]

I love your videos

[@lisaschaffel266]

I love Tarzan the musical, so aspirational

[@cathya7045]

Honestly if I'm the only one who wants to see Mulan on Broadway I've been wanting that one for years

[@autobotproductions1244]

That could actually be awesome

[@kirac2219]

dude that sounds amazzzinnngggggg

[@leo-fs1rb]

And princess and the frog!!!! Those two would be AMAZING

[@autobotproductions1244]

@@leo-fs1rb that one might be a little tricky.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Idk about that after Disney pretty much botched Mulan after the remake.

[@TheFullStar]

Tarzan in the Netherlands was truly amazing. The opening was AMAZING, you could almost tickle the actors feet while they swung around the theater and I cried so hard near the end.

[@tispe6967]

Couldn't agree more! As a child, sitting int he audience and feeling like you were right there in that jungle surrounded by all of the actors was magical! I kinda wish I could experience that again

[@MarkvanBeelen]

Hihi! I was so enjoying seeing Kevin in this video, and then suddenly I see myself! What a privilege to have been a part Tarzan's journey.

[@badideabearcub2747]

At what minute? Congratulations!

[@BehindTheMagic]

That’s so awesome! Hope this video brought back some happy memories! 😊

[@MarkvanBeelen]

@@BehindTheMagic Oh, it sure did! Tarzan has been a huge part of my life! And I got the "scars" to prove it. ;-) My adventure with the show started in 2006 as a possible candidate Tarzan for the Dutch production. That's why you see me in the video when the Dutch televised casting-event was mentioned. I didn't get it in the Netherlands but I eventually opened the show in Hamburg in 2008 as an understudy. Kevin joined about 2 months after we opened. I left the show in 2010 but then got asked back in 2011 and 2012 to jump in for Tarzan. Kinda like Kevin was. Good times!

[@MarkvanBeelen]

@@badideabearcub2747 I was one of the 5 possible Tarzans for the Dutch production. There's a zoom in on my face at 15:03. I wasn't part of the Dutch production though. However I opened the original German production in Hamburg. So it's possible you see me in one of their promotional shots as well.

[@isaiahadams1996]

Disney needs to bring this back ASAP! Cause this here is a gold mine. As a kid I’ve always wanted to see Tarzan on Broadway ever since I found the soundtrack to it in a record store. Disney needs to bring this and Beauty and the Beast back to Broadway cause I never seen either one of them before. Somebody needs to do a petition about this.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Maybe someday! Tarzan most certainly deserves a second shot!

[@feluno]

This might be a long shot and totally depends on how much money you're able to spend, but there's actually a chance to see this incredible show again in its glory that is the German production. Stage Entertainment announced a rerun, and Tarzan will actually reopen in Germany in Stuttgarts Palladium Theater - AND ALREADY ON 8th NOVEMBER, 2023!!! It's a long journey, but if you can, you shouldn't miss it!

[@isaiahadams1996]

“The critics don’t know everything”. Ain’t that the truth. 💯

[@badideabearcub2747]

But at the end they acknowledged that the critics were right, that it needed more time to mature. I would like to think that Disney, the producers, or even Collins, decided to pull the plug, even if it had a decent box office, to develop it better, but probably it was just the recession of 2008, that affected many shows in Broadway.

[@cutypie12]

I love the added element of original cast interviews in your videos! It lets us dive deeper into the storytelling of the journey of each production.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Thank you so much! I’m so grateful to the performers who’ve agreed to be in the videos so far! They’re awesome!

[@movieandtvseriesclips2805]

Will you talking about the hunchback of notre dame musical, both German and English production?

[@BehindTheMagic]

Great suggestion!

[@CoaTravelNut]

I want him to talk about the lion king next!

[@mikeson418]

That opening scene was truly unforgettable. I was seated towards the back of the orchestra (and the Richard Rodgers had a low balcony) , so I had to crane my neck to see it properly!

[@BehindTheMagic]

I’m so glad that most of the opening was captured on video! I can only imagine what it was like to see it live!

[@Nico-yi2bi]

That was interesting. The better developed show was a success in Germany. Too bad we missed it here in America.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Hopefully someday it’ll come back to the U.S.!

[@isaiahadams1996]

@@BehindTheMagic Yeah. Disney needs to make this happen ASAP

[@lizakey4730]

I wish I saw this in the USA

[@luukjoling1]

In the Netherlands as well, my first musical ever! :p

[@TheFullStar]

Opsite happened with tanz der vampire. A German musical they tried to bring to broadway but it failed miserably due to the horrible adaptation

[@mikeiseastman]

I'm surprised you never actually talked about the issues the show faced, such as the theatre balcony blocking a good portion of the audience's view of the aerial acts.

[@limelrac]

wow

[@jackfruth3738]

“But its your show” lol such a politician-like answer

[@VoiceoftheBoa2]

I remember seeing this in the year it was on Broadway. My camp and I visited NY for a summer trip, we all got balcony seats so we had a full view of the stage. And yeah the opening number was spectacular! I distinctly remember all the cast mics cutting out for about 5 - 10 seconds during "Trashing the Camp" so everybody had to sing out and really project. As a 16-year-old theater kid, it was so strange to see a mistake like that happen; it was only later I read about the technical issues the show had. I still have the album I bought that night.

[@elizabethhager560]

I wish they would bring Tarzan back to the US, I love the music and concepts for the show and it could be really cool to see an updated version of the show.

[@TanayaSings]

It's back in Utah this summer. The show opened this weekend at Tuacahn Amphitheater. Josh Strickland is reprising his role as Tarzan.

[@lukegreen5341]

0:53 Awesome Behind The Scenes Look About Disney's Tarzan The Broadway Musical. Thanks Mate. X

[@mermanangel5830]

Omg loving this! Does this mean you're gonna tackled The Little Mermaid and bumpy road to Broadway and her aftermath on stage!?

[@BehindTheMagic]

Merman Angel Perhaps........😉

[@Lizwindsor]

Suessical was amazing!

[@grendelentertainment9642]

Wow wow wow, what a great video! I am so happy that this was in my recommendations. I remember watching this show in my home country of the Netherlands and loving it, though I was seven at the time and don’t really remember it that well. I know it was popular in Germany for a long time, aber ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch.

[@BehindTheMagic]

That’s so awesome that you got to see it! So glad you enjoyed the video! 😊

[@lizakey4730]

I wished I got to see it

[@BehindTheMagic]

@@lizakey4730 Me too 😕

[@janetkenny9105]

Our little community theater did this show 2 summers ago, it was great!

[@inkpage3769]

This is not a show I ever learned much about, so this was a really fun way to learn about behind the scenes info I’ve never heard before. Thanks for sharing!

[@gattirenata]

This was my very first Broadway show. I sat in the first row. It was the most amazing experience of my life. I spent the whole show with my mouth WIDE OPENED (which seemed very amusing to Tarzan, as at one point, he was right in front of me and copied my mouth opened position Hahha funniest thing ever) I don’t think I even blinked during the whole show. One of the ushers told my friend and I that the opening of second act was the best! It was the “trashing the camp” scene! OO-M-G! So so so so so so so good! I will never ever ever forget this show! Ever! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jackfruth3738]

Have to admit all the talk of the ‘disney umbrella’ and ‘disney family’ sounds more menacing than you intended lol

[@sunflower51]

I‘m surprised that Tarzan wasn’t a success on Broadway. I live in Germany and saw it twice in Stuttgart, it is in my opinion one of the most challenging musicals to play: acting, singing, acrobatic, dancing, it’s one of the best musicals I have ever seen, Mary Poppins & Aladdin seem a bit boring in comparison. The songs are brilliant, the stage scenes are incredible, the cast is amazing. Really hope they bring it back some day, because I think it should also be a musical that runs 20/25 year

[@doperagu8471]

How do you not have more subscribers?? This is such high quality and interesting content - and I'm not even super into musicals!

[@BehindTheMagic]

So glad you’re enjoying them!!!

[@wallacephillips9880]

When I was an usher at Hamilton, a few long time Richard Rodgers Theatre workers talked about their experiences/opinions on Tarzan. One usher said that the actor playing Tarzan would swing from Rear Mezzanine to the stage and had a secret passage way to the Rear Mezzanine without being seen. Another usher said that he didn't like the set design and he thought that the show could've had a better looking jungle set. The manager "Tim" had a conversation with the film's co-director Kevin Lima. Lima was directing Enchanted in NYC during the summer of 2006 and he told Tim, "directing an animated film is less hard compared to a live action film. A greeter told me, "the hardest part about this job is when you're told that the show will close. It was so shocking to find out that Tarzan would close in a month." I never got to see Tarzan on Broadway, but it would've been cool to see Tarzan swing down to the stage.

[@feluno]

@BehindTheMagic This is a really great video depicting the journey of Tarzan. AND THERE'S NEWS!!! Stage Entertainment announced a Rerun of Tarzan in Germany, and it will happen already THIS YEAR! After five long years without it, this gorgeous Production will reopen its doors to the public on 8th November, 2023 in Stuttgarts Palladium Theater. This actually was the first musical i ever watched, and I'm so looking forward to be able to see it again. Please, to every one of you, come and watch this increadible show!

[@gordongraham7]

My first trip to NYC was to see this show while it was still in previews. Most of the music was phenomenal (there was one song I couldn't stand). The cast was incredible. The set was boring as hell (a box made of green streamers). A few tweaks and it would have been amazing. It sounds like Germany made those tweaks and it was amazing. I would love to see a revival where it's done right.

[@popsafan4676]

I was actually in a production of Tarzan, and it was sooo much fun! It was an awesome musical! (premier production for my state (in Australia not America mind you)

[@AmbeeLee]

This production is so misunderstood. I saw it 3 times on Broadway. It certainly had it's issues but it was an insanely good time that it was easy for me to overlook them. And that music. Amazing. It was certainly a FAR better experience then suffering through The Little Mermaid was.

[@cathya7045]

the local dinner theater is going to be doing The Little mermaid sometime this year I am very very close to attending for two things Disney fan and I desperately Miss musical theater how bad is this one

[@kazza6078]

This is such a great video! What great insight into the behind the scenes, I love musicals so much 😭 I would love you to do this for literally every show, these are so great!

[@thaliamalcolm9262]

I remember seeing this as a kid! I loved it!

[@BehindTheMagic]

Thalia Malcolm That’s awesome!

[@daviddanczyk2638]

Even it had a short run, it still remembered today.

[@djgamecx9489]

Little known fact about the orginal casting for Tarzan's character (Josh Strickland). He was in a small youth theatre company called the Charleston Youth Company (Charleston SC) run by Chuck Long. I myself am now a part of this company, as my 2 brothers and 2 sisters were as well. There is a poster in the studio from the show with all the cast's signiatures on it that was provided to Chuck Long and the company by Josh.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Epic Animal Studios Very cool!

[@samlitchman6037]

THAT WAS FABULOUS

[@BehindTheMagic]

Sam Litchman So glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackmcdonnell8505]

I still want Tarzan to come back on Broadway

[@BehindTheMagic]

I think it definitely deserves a second chance!

[@isaiahadams1996]

@Jack McDonnnell ME TOO! That and Beauty and the Beast cause I never seen Beauty and the Beast on Broadway before

[@rcruz4510]

After all the innovation and hard work that went into this Broadway show, I LOVED the New York Times review of the show: "The big green blob that arrived on the stage of the Richard Rogers Theater last night...." Said it ALL!

[@movieandtvseriesclips2805]

It is interesting that in the movie, terk was female and most people thought she was a guy and in the musical she is now a guy.

[@BehindTheMagic]

That was definitely an interesting choice! I always thought Terk was a boy when I was a kid!

[@kamarynevans9414]

I would love to see your take on Newsies! Love the videos you do!

[@ananasdance]

Yeah, Germany loved Tarzan 💚I’ve seen the show in Hamburg :) they also casted the winner of the German version of Idol. The last show in Oberhausen was very emotional, I think you can find a video of the bows and curtain call :) with all the lights from the audience :)

[@TheLoverbug567]

OMG, Kyle and Kara are a bona fide Disney power couple, that is so cute!!

[@BehindTheMagic]

They’re the best!

[@gsabaybay8]

Your videos are so fantastic!! I've just binged through all of them and subscribed! Love the interviews and how in depth you go! BIG FAN 💕

[@BehindTheMagic]

Wow! Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed them enough to binge them! And a BIG thank you for subscribing! 😊

[@healthyholemealbread]

This video is brilliant thanks for your hard work on this the editing is amazing and I imagine it must have taken awhile to research everything. Definitely subscribing!

[@BehindTheMagic]

healthywholemealbread Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it! And thank you for subscribing! 😊

[@ta21l]

Oh wow I never knew Tarzan was on Broadway. Very informative video

[@BehindTheMagic]

It came and went so quickly, unfortunately, that a lot of people didn’t realize it was on Broadway!

[@moniki1237]

I remember the commercial but nothing after that !!

[@ZoraTheberge]

I almost feel like if they went out of town, they could have worked out some of the bugs It also seems like they just never really found an audience on Broadway.

[@latosomosplace]

Great video! Actually, I knew Tarzan was on Broadway, and it’s too bad it didn’t find success until the German production.

[@cookiemiller2277]

im currently in my school’s production of tarzan, and im playing jane!! love this video :))

[@BehindTheMagic]

That’s so awesome! I’m sure you’re gonna be an amazing Jane! Break a leg!!! And thanks for watching! 😊

[@doorhandleanimation4365]

Im currently in my schools production of Tarzan as well, my first ever show and we're performing this week, im just and ape though lol

[@boohemian_ghost]

Yo I saw this show on Broadway when I was young and all this time I thought I made it up and it was all a dream

[@gtmuse329A]

My friend was lighting director…went to set up his leave replacement for his wedding/honeymoon and they basically said “Don’t bother”! That’s how he found out they were closing. Your show going down, not the best way to enter a new marriage. 😳

[@denisevervuren1313]

I went to the Tarzan Musical in the Netherlands and it was soooo good! Still one of my favorites musicals I went to (and I have seen Willemijn Verkaik in Wicked haha). Ron Link was phenomenal. But Tarzan is also my favorite Disney soundtrack, so maybe I'm biased. 😂 Side note: We also have a very cool musical here in the Netherlands called Soldaat van Oranje (Soldier of Orange) about a famous soldier in WW2. The audience is seated in a 360 degree auditorium in an old plane hangar and so you rotate with the actors to the next scene. The actors ride on motors for example and you follow them over all these stages, it's insane! It's also the musical with the longest run here, since 2010.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Oooohhhh, that’s show sounds amazing! I’d love to visit the Netherlands someday and see it!

[@zacharypeloquin1586]

I (16m) am a part of a theatre group where I’m from, and we’ve put in some great shows. But perhaps the best show we’ve put on was Disney’s “Tarzan,” and I played the title role. Tarzan is such a dynamic character with growth and real emotions that capture the audience. Tarzan is such a powerful show, and I’ll never love a role so much as much as I absolutely adored Tarzan. ❤️

[@derickyyy]

I really enjoyed this. You clearly put a lot of work into making these videos. Thank you!

[@elizabethmcmeniman559]

It wouldn't been 18 years since Tarzan came to Broadway

[@ESCAerial]

I saw Kevin and Kara in the tour of Little House on the Prarie: The Musical in ... 2008? 2009? It wasn't really a show made for me, but I remember walking out really WOWED by the two of them. I was very happy when I started seeing them pop up in Broadway circles.

[@BehindTheMagic]

They’re both so awesome and so nice! Kara talks about Little House in the new History of Newsies video! Check it out! 😊

[@JustHorseyMie]

This looks like such a fun show...

[@jrm6662]

Saw this excellent production in Germany. Unfortunate that the broadway production couldn't do as well.

[@broadwaydisney6411]

I loved this! I saw the show and it wasn’t very good, but the cast was great.

[@mrode2479]

I love Tarzan so very much I think it is a very heartfelt family musical that I think of my theatre when I watch the heartfelt tribute to the cast of Tarzan the broadway musical it’s such a heartfelt connection to the broadway musical is just amazing we did son of man at Lebanon community theatre I just think that the broadway family is amazing but I feel the pain when you have to close early but what’s good about the pain of closing early is that it’s the journey that you’ve been on with the musical itself I feel like a heartwarming broadway family member thank you to John Tartaglia who gave me a warm broadway welcome to the broadway musical theatre family I feel deeply rooted with you guys in my heart forever .

[@user-uc6up8em9v]

I would've loved to see it

[@franc5148]

beautiful 💕

[@BehindTheMagic]

Thank you! 💜

[@barron8180]

Now that I’ve finally heard the sound track I really think I would’ve wanted to see this just to observe it I also sung one of these songs on my channel.

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

I have the 2000 movie. But I had no idea this became a musical on Broadway.

[@vidkris1535]

Is there a full version of the show!? as I never saw it and wish I had! They should bring this back!! Forget Merry poppings! 😕

[@sketchytwin113]

If I read correctly one of the Tarzans ended up proposing to the actress that played Jane after one of the shows!

[@swattdeeds]

Disney's Tarzan is such a good movie I really hope they don't make a remake of it hehe

[@fourthgirl]

Disney develops the shows in the US and uses Broadway as "soft" openings. Then packages them and sells them off overseas away from union wages, child actor restrictions, lower insurance indemnities.

[@BehindTheMagic]

Hmmm, not sure if that’s quite their strategy. I’m sure Disney would’ve preferred shows like Tarzan, The Little Mermaid, and even Frozen to be bigger hits on Broadway. The Little Mermaid especially probably never made its money back once it flopped.

[@fourthgirl]

@@BehindTheMagic Production costs are astronomical in the US. Trade union can shut down a production. Add the number of people having to work the rigging for the actors flying about, the extra insurance for actors on wheels, in the air, large casts etc.

[@MarcusMartn]

I always notice how fast Disney shows go overseas right after they open on broadway

[@irvyne6111]

While there are a couple of good new tunes in this Broadway version, Phil Collins’s lyrics are just woeful. Not even approaching a Broadway standard. It amazes me that someone at Disney didn’t have the balls to bring in an actual lyricist to fix it.

[@user-vf4hg2ev8e]

It would be great if they somehow re-worked the show and brought it to Australia, I know I would love to see it

[@cynthiarowley719]

In the round would've been dynamic.

[@jessbrannon_actor]

I was in Tarzan for a community theater

[@skunkman9815]

Adam pascal did the singing voice for the dragon in the backyardigans episode tale of the mighty knights part 2

[@aericabison23]

I just recently thought about remaking/reviving this show. I am working on concepts for the costumes (included Tantor this time and made Terk a girl again, because why not?) and I need to think of how to do the actual scenes. I hope I get to make the show a reality in the future. The original movie is absolutely wonderful and it deserves a good retelling on stage.

[@tristanbray2184]

As of now (Summer, 2023) Josh Strickland is playing Tarzan at the Tuacahn Amphtitheatre.

[@MarcusMartn]

I’m glad I’m watching this Tarzan was on broadway and people really didn’t know about it

[@BehindTheMagic]

It’s definitely the most forgotten Disney musical. Hopefully someday it’ll return to Broadway for a bit of a redemption!

[@isaiahadams1996]

@@BehindTheMagic Hell yeah!!!

[@isaiahadams1996]

@Marcus Martin I didn’t know about it either til I was 11 and found the soundtrack to it in a record store

[@merenwen4495]

I have seen the revised version three times in the Netherlands. It was amazing! It’s definitely on par with the Lion King spectacle-wise

[@DavidVitrano]

I would love to see the show get revived.

[@Suiu__]

日本公演待ってます…!! 毎日音楽聴くくらい大好きなミュージカルなので…!!（Everything that I amを聞く度に感動します🥲）

[@seanie93horror26]

I think that Disney should do a musical based on the Muppets franchise. Something similar to the Spongebob Squarepants musical but also similar to Avenue Q too.

[@NYCdude321]

Pinocchio would be such a weird musical.

[@amandaherman7051]

I wanted to see this but never got to 😢

[@weirdstream9572]

can you talk about rent? and legally blonde the musical

[@cathya7045]

Matthew Morrison as Tarzan I probably would have paid to see that one honestly I love this movie but it's not one of my number one Disney flicks you'll be in my heart still holds a pretty big place in my heart though since I'm usually singing it to my chihuahua mix

[@mrode2479]

Hi cast of Tarzan on broadway my name is maryna Rode I am 16 years old and I have been with my community theatre for over almost 5 years and I have been doing disney musicals since I was little and my question for you guys is what was your favorite part of performing in Tarzan and if so what secen was the most amazing to perform ?

[@cynthiarowley719]

Four Disney audiences, at once, maybe too much to expect.

[@jakewhittle444]

Beginning Tarzan

[@CatalinaLinal7710]

Btw, Tarzan is back in Stuttgart in fall 2023. We Germans love this musical so much

[@skunkman9815]

Can you do a history of the lion king Broadway musical

[@jakewhittle444]

Tarzan movies musical theater Broadway soundtrack

[@chrisking8910]

14 months is NOT a flop

[@kriscarrasco8458]

Could you do a big series on Spider-Man?

[@katiehickey4539]

Maybe if Jane, her father, and Clayton wore some Safari Exploring Suits.

[@kyliethelittlespider-mangirl94]

Could you talk about other musicals especially other musical flops like the Little Mermaid musical you talked about?

[@raesummer3159]

Can you please make a video about pippin or bonnie and clyde please???

[@jakewhittle444]

Tarzan movie films musical theatre Broadway

[@katiehickey4539]

Maybe if Baby Tarzan and his real parents wore some Sailing Suits.

[@katiehickey4539]

Maybe if Kala, Terk, and Kerchak wore some Gorilla Suits.

[@DragonPrincessAoife]

Such a damn shame that the development wasn't allowed to be what it needed to be for this show...

[@luukjoling1]

My first professional musical I ever saw in person in The Netherlands. It was such an experience, and the start of the show is truly breathtaking!

[@jakecanten3246]

So Massey had to learn the entire script in German? 😳😳

[@mattymariah]

I loved this show. I remember most For The First Time - such a beautifully sung song by Jenn, and how amazingly HOT Josh Strickland is. And talented. But attractive as fuck. 😍

[@queenmedesa]

I think Hamilton is utterly ludicrous and it's still there