Willemijn Verkaik Joins the Cast of DISNEY'S TARZAN in Germany

After much success on Broadway and in the West End, Willemijn Verkaik returns to the stage in Germany and will take on a principle character in the Disney Musical TARZAN. She is going to play the ape mother "Kala". "The role of Kala is not only a vocal and an acting challenge, but also a physical one. I will, like all other apes, literally fly above the audiences. Something like that doesn't happen in any other musical, and that's what makes TARZAN unique", so the excited Willemijn Verkaik. Rehearsals are already underway; her premiere at the Stage Apollo Theater in Stuttgart, Germany is planned for August 21.

The German audiences are already familiar with the Dutch musical star. Willemijn originated Elphaba in the German production of 'Wicked' and enchanted audiences as Donna in 'Mamma Mia'. Of course, she is no stranger to Broadway and the West End either. The successful actress portrayed Elphaba in both New York and London, as well as in her home country, which makes her the first actress to play Elphaba in three different languages. Earlier this year, Willemijn played Paulina in the London production of 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown' at the Playhouse Theatre. Last year, she voiced the role of Elsa in the Dutch version of Disney's 'Frozen', and sang the Elsa's songs (including the smash-hit 'Let It Go') in the German version of the movie.

"I'm very happy to be back on stage in Stuttgart, and to be able to show a completely different side with this part. Kala has a strong personality; she would do everything for a family and completely immerses herself in motherhood. I'm particularly looking forward to be working alongside the young TARZAN actors", so Verkaik.

Disney's Musical TARZAN, produced by Stage Entertainment, premiered in Hamburg in 2006, where it played to sold out audiences until its transfer to Stuttgart last year. The musical is a spectacle unlike anything seen on stage before. Apes fly and jump through the entire theater, stage and auditorium become one. The spectacular flight scenes, in which actors do acrobatics above the heads of the audience are also extremely technically challenging. The music that tells this world-famous story about Tarzan and Jane was written by no other than Oscar-winner Phil Collins.

Stage Entertainment recently released a few rehearsal photos of Willemijn Verkaik, which you can see below.