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'Tarzan' is a train wreck

By Matt Windman

'Tarzan' on Broadway

Let's start with the good news: The visual effects of "Tarzan" are spectacular. And now the bad news: In every other capacity, "Tarzan" is a total train wreck of musical theater.

As the latest installment of Disney's flourishing but artistically challenged Broadway series, the 1999 animated film "Tarzan" has been gracelessly converted into a full-fledged live musical at a rumored cost of $17 million. Watching the show, though, is rather like opening a goodie-bag of Cirque du Soleil tricks seasoned with an anthropomorphic, kiddie-friendly spin.

Can Tarzan, as played by Josh Strickland, swing effortlessly from vine to vine like a jungle surfer? To create this impossible image, nearly the entire cast has been hooked to ropes and harnesses so they can move vertically and horizontally in a freestyle fashion. And are there really ape characters? Those actors must walk on their hands and feet while costumed in primate body suits.

The weakest links of "Tarzan" are its songs and dialogue. Phil Collins' score is dramatically incoherent and just plain painful to listen to. For instance, the song "Trashin' the Camp" is the worst Act Two opening number in Broadway history.

And David Henry Hwang, who once wrote the remarkable play "M. Butterfly," has provided a book that actually manages to make the film's plot about Tarzan's coming of age and attraction for Jane (Jenn Gambatese) substantially worse.

Another mistake was choosing scenic and costume designer Bob Crowley to direct. "The Lion King" was an artistic smash due to the smart, uncompromising vision of Julie Taymor; and Robert Falls rescued "Aida" from disaster, making it mere mediocrity.

But, to be honest, the real problem was the decision to stage "Tarzan" at all. The better Disney musical films like "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid" at least offer memorable songs and interesting characters.

Still, "Tarzan" at least has the advantage of not being the worst musical to open on Broadway this year (that honor is being fought for among "In My Life," "Lestat," "Lennon"), but it definitely is a depressing one to close the spring season with. Without question, "Tarzan" works well as a live stunt show. But if you want decent musical theater, the show will make you ape Tarzan's loud cry of "Aaaaaaarrrrggghhh!"

Tarzan. At the Richard Rodgers Theatre, open run. Tue-Sat 8pm, Wed & Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm; $21.25-$111.25. 226 West 46th Street; 212-307-4747