Tarzan Character Descriptions

TarzanCharacterDescriptions

Tarzan

Tarzanistwentyyearsold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.Hemustbeabletosing,act,anddancewell(baritenor,withlotsof

highsections).Heshouldalsobeacrobaticandabletoperformstagecombat.

Jane

Janeis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.She

canhaveabright,youthfulsound,mustunderstandpopphrasingandhavesomepowerinbothher

highandlowregisters.Shemustact,dance,andsingwell(mezzo).Sheshouldbeabletoperform

somecombat,andhaveaconvincingBritishaccent.

Terk

Terkis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.Hemustsinganddanceextremelywell(tenor).Heshouldalsobeacrobaticand

havegoodcomedictiming.

Kala

Kalais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.Kalaisveryearthyandnurturing,yetvery

strongwilled.Shemustsingandactwell(mezzo).



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Tarzan Tarzan is twenty years old 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. He must be able to sing, act, and dance well (bari tenor, with lots of high sections). He should also be acrobatic and able to perform stage combat.

Jane Jane is 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. She can have a bright, youthful sound, must understand pop phrasing and have some power in both her high and low registers. She must act, dance, and sing well (mezzo). She should be able to perform some combat, and have a convincing British accent.

Terk Terk is 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. He must sing and dance extremely well (tenor). He should also be acrobatic and have good comedic timing.

Kala Kala is 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. Kala is very earthy and nurturing, yet very strong willed. She must sing and act well (mezzo).

Kerchak Kerchak is 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. He should also be comfortable with stage combat.

Porter Porter is 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. He should act well and also have a British accent.

Clayton Clayton is 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. He needs to be a very strong actor.

Young Tarzan Young Tarzan is an innocent young 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 range. He must sing and dance well (tenor). He should also be acrobatic.

Leopard The leopard is the enemy of the Apes. He/she is a villain, a killer, and very strong. He/she must dance very well, and be comfortable with stage combat. Non speaking role.

Snipes Snipes is second in command of Clayton’s expedition crew. He performs stage combat.

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Tarzan Character Descriptions