Niles High School’s spring musical tells the wild tale of Tarzan, a young boy raised by gorillas whose world is turned upside down when he falls in love with an English naturalist.

Performances of “Tarzan: The Musical” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15 in the high school auditorium.

Tickets are on sale now in the Niles High and Niles New Tech main offices. People can also purchase tickets at the door.

A live orchestra comprised of Niles students, staff and local musicians will play the show’s music, which was created by English singer/songwriter Phil Collins.

The musical is based on the Disney film “Tarzan,” which was adapted from the story “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

“Tarzan: The Musical” opened on Broadway in 2006 and closed the following year after 486 performances. It has since been performed by theater productions all over the world.

Producer/director Matt Hunckler said the show should appeal to people of all ages.

“I think people familiar with his (Phil Collins) type of music will really enjoy the music,” Hunckler said. “And there is a lot of creativity in the characters because they are not typical — almost all of them are gorillas. The kids have worked really hard and have had a lot of fun with it.”

Niles senior and theater veteran Danny Grimes plays Kerchak, the leader of the gorillas that raise Tarzan.

Grimes played Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast” and Albert in “Bye Bye Birdie.”

The most challenging part about playing Kerchak, Grimes said, is walking like an ape.

“It’s a lot harder than you’d think. If you are crouching around and walking around like that for several minutes it becomes very difficult,” he said. “You have to do a lot of stretching.”

Proceeds from the musical support the Niles fine arts department and future performances.

“We’d love to see a lot of people come out and support the fine arts,” Hunckler said. “The kids really work hard and it is a win-win situation for the entire community.”

 

CAST LIST

Tarzan — Drew Mikel

Jane — Marina Thornton

Kala — Stephanie Rickords

Kerchak — Danny Grimes

Terk — Emily Jackson

Young Tarzan — Katelyn Phillips

Young Terk — Emily Jackson

Clayton — Elijah Ernsperger

Porter — Matthew Golubski

Snipes — Mike Johnson

Sabor (the leopard) — Hallie Corzine

Tarzan’s Dad — Jon Lutin (sung by Drew Mikel)

Tarzan’s Mother — Madison Schneider

Apes Chorus 1 — Chloe Mattiford, Hannah Mervine, Hallie Corzine, Katelyn Phllips, Jordan Rohl, Bailey Schneider, Madison Schneider and Victoria Velez

Apes Chorus 2 — Kelly Bickel, Emily Casey, Taylor Frazier, Cecily Kaufmann, Julie Kosten, Jackie Roberts and Sarah Shepherd.

Expedition Crew — Nicholas Cole, Mike Johnson, Jon Lutin, Lance McGowen and DeAnthony Wade

Creature — Mike Johnson

 

Musical Staff (partial list)

Producer/Director — Matt Hunckler

Artistic Director — Jessica LaFave