TARZAN: THE MUSICAL Swings onto SCERA Shell Stage June 6-22

Utah County may be nestled in a mountain desert, but don't tell that to Shawn Mortensen, who is directing "Tarzan: The Musical" at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre beginning June 6.

Mortensen is converting the entire hill as well as the stage into a jungle for the musical that features Phil Collins' music (including the Grammy and Oscar-winning song "You'll Be In My Heart") and is based on the Disney animated film and original author Edgar Rice Burroughs' story. And he is clearly embracing the story of an infant boy orphaned on the shores of West Africa who swings onto stage with the tribe of gorillas who have raised him.

His plans include giant butterflies that flutter through the audience as well as fireflies and birds. Billows of fabric will add color, a crashed ship mast will add drama, and a 25-foot anaconda and leopard puppet will add to the sense of adventure. And while Tarzan can't literally swing through the trees, the set design includes ropes and other elements he can swing on. The goal is to pull audiences into the rainforest.

"I love spectacle," Mortensen says. "And those who know me know I like to throw a touch of Las Vegas into the mix. Many of the 60 cast members will wear giant headdresses to reflect the flora and fauna in the wilderness. I hope audiences will sense that the jungle is swirling and breathing all the time. I also wanted to evoke a sense of Carnival in Brazil and am using a pulsating drum beat throughout the show."

While he clearly loves the idea of staging "Tarzan," Mortensen also advocated for the show because it will be a new musical that many people will experience for the first time. "I plan to make it the show people simply cannot miss."

Performances will be at 8:00pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 6 to 22 under the stars at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, located at 699 S St., Street, Orem, in the heart of SCERA Park. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children (age 3-11), seniors (age 65 and older) and students (with identification). Reserved sections will range from $12 to $14 for adults and $10 to $12 for children, seniors and students. Tickets are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTS, or in person at the SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State, Orem, open 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm, or at the Shell gate one hour prior to performance.

"This is the best romantic story," Mortensen explains. "Here's Jane, a young woman who goes in the jungle to study plants and meets a man in a loin cloth-and then they fall for each other, despite some significant language challenges. It shows how you can find love in the most unlikely places. The jungle can be quite romantic." Tarzan, knowing he differs from his primate family, strives for acceptance until he encounters strangers like himself and is surprised to find love from a woman who looks like him.

Adding to the mix are several apes and monkeys who raised Tarzan after his missionary parents were killed. They help create a sense of family. Mortensen says that the core of the story comes in Jane's realization that she has everything she wants and needs in the mists of the jungle and all the elements she thought were essential back home are not so important. "With friends and family, you have everything that matters," Mortensen says.

BrIan Smith, former football kicker at BYU, plays Tarzan. "I heard about him from his older brother David, who is my music director. He said his brother had musical talent but had chosen to focus on sports. It turns out he is the ideal choice. He's incredibly fit. I needed someone who could look good physically, who was strong enough for the physicality of the role, and someone who was a good actor with a great voice. I found all those elements in Brian, and I especially love his remarkable tenor."

Rian Shepherd is Jane, and she, too, is new to the SCERA stage. "When she read for Jane," Mortesen says, "I knew it was her part in the first two words she spoke. Her characterization is spot on."

Other featured roles include McKelle Shaw as Terk, Tarzan's ape best friend; Lauren Anderson is Kala, Tarzan's ape mother; Cairo McGee is young Tarzan; Carson Davies is Kerchak, the leader of the gorillas; Patrick Brannelly is Clayton, Jane's expedition guide; Jim Murphy is Porter, Jane's Dad; and Lily Shepherd is Young Terk.

Assisting Mortensen, who also designed the set, are Kelsey Seaver, costume designer; James Larsen, light designer; Sunny Watts, choreographer, Danielle Berry, stage manager; David Smith, music director; and Nat Reed, puppet designer.

As an added feature for this show, SCERA has created a video on the making of "Tarzan" to give the audience a sense of what it takes to mount a major musical. Patrons will be able to access the video through a QR code in the playbill or on SCERA's You Tube Channel.

SCERA President & CEO Adam J. Robertson says, "We are pulling out all the stops to make this show an incredible experience."