Over the years, the Missoula Community Theatre (“MCT”) has consistently delivered four musicals and one play during its annual season. The first offering of the 2016-17 season was Disney’s Tarzan the Stage Musical.
We attended the opening night performance on October 21, and, needless to say, we were blown away by the performance. Joseph Martinez has once again proven his talent at directing musicals. Along with Music Director Roxann Jackson, Choreography Director Heather Adams, Tumbling Choreographer Kelley Durbin-Williams and Aerialist Choreographer Caitlin Warr, Martinez has created a dynamic production which was perfectly orchestrated by Stage Manager Megan Brown. Thanks to the work of Scenic Designer Theresa K. Jenson, Lighting Designer Spencer Perry, Properties Designer Lesley Washburn, Costume Designer Kara Chandler and Sound Designer Gregory Boris, Martinez’s artistic vision has been brought to life.
The final element to this amazing production was the perfectly cast group of actors, actresses, gymnasts and acrobats that made up the ensemble of the show. Every member brought his or her best efforts to the stage, and the resulting show earned a standing ovation from the virtually packed house.
Among the standouts of this fine ensemble were Dylan Wright as Kerchak, Kirsten Paisley as Kala, Anthony Ascione as Terk, Melissa Briner as Jane and Thain Bertin as Tarzan. They consistently performed superbly and truly brought the characters to life. They were aided in their performance by a likewise amazing cast of supporting actors, including Drew Nagy as Young Terk, Evangeline Wright as Young Tarzan, Don Fuhrmann as Professor Porter and Ian Tooley as the villain Clayton. Staci Weidner as Victorian Mother, Clayton Dutton as Victorian Father, Regan Muscutt as the Leopard and Curtis Hammer as Snipes also performed well in minor roles.
MCT consistently presents exemplary theatre in Missoula, and Tarzan is one of their best efforts to date. We strongly recommend this production. The show continues with performances on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 26-28 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 29 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office or online at MCTInc.org.