When Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote and published Tarzan of the Apes in 1912, I do not think he would believe that the story has been enjoyed and reimagined by several generations. When I was young, I poured over the TV Guide on Saturdays hoping a Tarzan movie would be on TV that afternoon. My favorite Tarzan was Johnny Weismuller, who swam to 5 Olympic Gold Medals and included Maureen O’Sullivan as the lovely Jane, the curly-haired Boy, the mischievous Cheetah and the regal Simba. The newest version of Tarzan is swinging into the Crighton Theatre this summer. Based on Disney’s epic animated musical adventure and Burrough’s Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend Phil Collins and a book by Tony award winning playwright, David Henry.
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan’s life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe’s territory and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashes with his human instincts.
The talented cast includes Lucas Olivares as Tarzan. You might remember his performance as Prince Christopher in the magical 2019 Stage Right production of Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Lucas went on to portray the Latin gangster, Pablo in Sister Act followed by Footloose as Cowboy Bob and Jeter for the Players Theatre Company. A Texas A & M (2012) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2018) graduate, he is the worship pastor at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Missouri City, Texas. He is excited to be performing with his sister Christina Sato (Kala) and niece and nephew, Chelsea and Reece Sato (gorilla children’s ensemble) in this production.
Victoria Best (Jane) is excited to return to the Crighton Stage. She performed in Stage Right’s production of Cinderella in the ensemble. She grew up singing in choirs and graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Music Education. Dallas Hiett who portrays Professor Porter makes his debut performance with Stage Right.
He has been involved in singing and performing for Living Branch Church in Conroe for the pas 25+ years. He played the role of Reverend Shaw Moore in Footloose, The Musical and was part of the ensemble cast in Little Shop of Horrors and Sister Act with the Players Theatre Company. Dallas is a degreed Zoologist from Texas A & M (1984) and in his younger years envisioned himself in the real-life role of wildlife biologist.
This exciting show runs July 9-25, 2021, with Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. This show is appropriate for all ages. For tickets, visit www.crightontheatre.org or www.stage-right.org or call the box office at (936) 441-7469.
- Special group pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.
