Tarzan

Tenor 

A twenty year old man and still untainted by civilization. His curiosity has grown as his skills develop. Tarzan is long, lean and very athletic. He has great integrity and a strong sense of fairness. Tarzan falls passionately in love with Jane at first sight and wonders if she is the key to unlocking his mysterious past. Tarzan should be a pop high baritone or tenor. His solos primarily sit in a high register, but it works best if he can mix and belt equally well.

Age Range 16+

Jane

Mezzo-Soprano

A proper, well-bred, British young lady, but a bit of a tomboy, too. She is very much the turn-of-the-twentieth-century independent female adventurer and scientist. Jane is an attractive ingénue with a bit of a motor-mouth brought on by her fascination and passion for all the expedition has to offer. Once meeting Tarzan, this young girl blossoms into a woman. Jane should be able to belt to D5; D5-F5 can be sung in a legit voice. She can have a bright, youthful sound, must understand pop phrasing and have some power in both her high and low registers.

Age Range 16+

Kala

Mezzo - Alto

A motherly ape who raises Tarzan after he loses his parents to the leopard. She is incredibly strong, even after suffering the loss of her own child. She shows a depth of emotion equal to that of any human, if not greater. Kala must have a warm sound that is more mature than Tarzan’s voice. Ideally, she should understand pop phrasing. She needs be able to sing the low G in full voice but can cheat the lower notes if necessary.

Age Range 25+

Kerchak

Tenor / Baritone

The gruff bull-ape who leads the tribe and insists that Tarzan, even as a baby, poses a threat to the family. He is conflicted by his dedication to his mate Kala and his responsibilities as leader of the tribe. This performer should have a strong, authoritative presence while being able to display key glimpses of the silverback’s tenderness. Kerchak can be a musical theater baritone but must have a big sound and commanding presence.

Age Range 25+

Terk

Tenor/Alto

A young adult male ape whose friendship with Tarzan has only grown stronger through the years. Other than Kala, Terk is the only ape who visits Tarzan in exile. He would like to think he knows it all and often relies on his great sense of humor. He tends to stay in one place, not growing much in life experience or knowledge. Terk is written to be a rock/pop/soul tenor with good understanding of groove and some ad-lib skills; he must be comfortable singing consistently in his upper register.  Can be played by male or female.

Age Range 14+

Professor Porter

Baritone / Bass

A British professor and gentleman who is traveling to Africa to prove his theory on the social habits of apes. A single father to Jane, he maintains his temper and demeanor to the very last moment. He offers a bit of humor through his slightly eccentric, mad-scientist enthusiasm. Porter is a baritone, but most of his solos can be spoken if necessary.

Age Range 30+ 

Clayton

Non-singing

A brutish British expedition guide and the villain of the show. He has been hired by Professor Porter to lead a scientific research trip but is actually planning to hunt apes for profit. Clayton is a greedy and self-centered macho male who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Age Range 16+ 

Young Tarzan

An innocent ten-year-old human, raised by apes. He is immensely curious and possesses a keen ingenuity. Tarzan is daring but desperately wants to fit in with the rest of the family. Young Tarzan is written for an unchanged voice. His solos are challenging as many of them sit in a high register.

Solo song

Age 8-12 yrs old

Young Terk

A sarcastic adolescent ape. He is an outcast due to his meager size and inability to keep up with his brothers and sisters physically. Terk replaces his physical inadequacy with eloquence and intelligence. He finds a kindred spirit in Tarzan, the other outcast of the family. 

Solo song

Age 10-14 yrs old

Mother

She protects her son with all her might, braving the shipwreck, storm, and jungle to keep him alive. Together with her husband, she builds a house in the canopy of the trees, trying to create a safe haven for her family to live in.

Solo singing lines

Age 16+

Father

A strong, determined man who braves the unknown to provide for his wife and son after a shipwreck leaves them stranded in an unfamiliar jungle. This role is featured briefly at the top of the show but sets the tone for the entire musical.

Solo singing lines

Age 16+

Leopard

Non-singing

Fierce carnivore that threatens both gorillas and humans; strong dance role 

Snipes

Non-singing

Head of the expedition crew. 

Age 14+

Ape Ensemble

A tribe of gorillas who become Tarzan’s family. They are fun, loving and fiercely protective of their own. Performers should be  comfortable with movement, singing and physicality.

All Ages

Featured Dancers

Some of the ensemble will be featured in certain songs.  Should be comfortable in dancing and movement.

All Ages

Expedition Crew

Non-singing

Can be doubled as ape ensemble.

All Ages