The MUNY's TARZAN, Starring Nicholas Rodriguez, Opens Tonight

The Muny presents the second show of its 96th season, TARZAN, directed by John Tartaglia, choreographed by Chris Bailey, with musical direction by Rick Bertone.

Nicholas Rodriguez will star in the title role, with Kate Rockwell co-starring as Jane. Joining them are Quentin Earl Darrington as Kerchack, Katie Thompson as Kala, Gregory Haney as Terk, Ken Page as Porter, Michael James Reed as Clayton, Spencer Jones as Young Tarzan, and Nathaniel Mahone as Young Terk.

"Tarzan tells a beautiful tale of family, forgiveness and discovery, and this wonderful cast will bring extraordinary talent and heart to this stirring tale," said Muny Executive Producer and Artistic Director Mike Isaacson.

The Muny production features scenic design by Tim Mackabee, sound design by Jason Krueger, lighting design by Seth Jackson, video design by Matthew Young and costume design by Leon Dobkowski. The production stage manager is Monica Dickhens.

Tarzan is based on the 1999 Disney film of the same name and the story by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is a wonderful new musical about love, family and loyalty. When a young boy is shipwrecked on the shore of Africa, he soon finds himself protected by a tribe of apes. When his tribe is confronted by humans, including the beautiful and adventurous explorer Jane, Tarzan is forced to consider where his heart really resides. Tarzan® features music and lyrics by Grammy winner Phil Collins, and a book by David Henry Hwang.

NICHOLAS RODRIGUEZ (Tarzan) Broadway: Tarzan. Off-Broadway: Toxic Avenger, Almost Heaven, Collette Collage, Bajour. Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Hair. Regional: Mother Courage and Her Children, Oklahoma! (Helen Hayes Award), My Fair Lady, Light in the Piazza at Arena Stage; The Ten Commandments at the Kodak Theatre; LES MISERABLES at ZACH Theatre, Cinderella and JCS at NSMT; Beauty and the Beast at The Muny; Damn Yankees at Paramount Theatre, South Pacific and The King and I at Casa Mañana. Film: Sex in the City II (also soundtrack). Television: Nick Chavez on ABC's One Life to Live (GLAAD Award). Artistic Director: Broadway Dreams Foundation.

KATE ROCKWELL (Jane) Muny debut! Broadway: Rock of Ages (Sherrie), Bring It On (Skylar: OBC), Legally Blonde (Margot, Elle cover), and Hair. First national tours: Legally Blonde, Hair, and Bring It On. Film: Young Samantha in the first Sex and the City movie.

QUENTIN EARL DARRINGTON (Kerchack) is ecstatic to make his debut at The Muny with Tarzan®. A native of Lakeland, Florida, Quentin recently put his career on hold to attend the University of Central Florida as an MFA graduate acting candidate, where he is currently entering his third and final year. Credits include Broadway: Ragtime. Off-Broadway: Lost in the Stars, New York City Center; The Roar of the Greasepaint, York Theatre Company. National tours: Ragtime, The Color Purple, The Lion King, Memphis. Regional: LES MISERABLES, Drury Lane Oakbrook; ...Nicholas Nickleby, Orlando Playhouse; A Little Night Music, Sacramento Music Circus; Abyssinia, Goodspeed Opera House; Dreamgirls, Madame Walker Theatre; Jaques Brel..., Straz Centre; The Gift of the Magi, Polke Theatre.

KATIE THOMPSON (Kala) New York: Giant (Vashti, The Public Theater), Spider Musical (Nana June/The Spider, The Mint), Cloaked (Janice, CAP 21). Regional Theater: Giant (Vashti, Signature Theatre DC/Dallas Theatre Center), R.R.R.E.D. A Secret Musical (Composer/Victoria, Grove Theater LA). TV: 30 Rock (Overbearing Stage Mom). Concerts: Welcome to The White House (Washington DC), Gypsy of the Year (The Palace), Katie & Friends (Birdland), 2013 Drama Desk Awards. Workshops/Readings: Waitress (by Sara Bareilles, ACT), String (by Adam Gwon, O'Neill Festival/Weston Playhouse), Everleigh (by Storm Large, The Public), Her Lightness (Yale Rep), Pop (Yale Rep), The Lighthouse Project (by Duncan Sheik). Albums: "Private Page," "KT LIVE" and "What I've Done Right."

GREGORY HANEY (Terk) is making his Muny debut! Last seen playing the role of Mika in the New York City premiere of Hit the Wall (a play by Ike Holter), originating the role of La Cienega in the Tony® nominated Bring It On the Musical, Wicked (Chistery), Memphis (Broadway), Tarzan® (Broadway), and CATS (25th Anniversary Tour). Gregory was picked by Dance magazine as one of the top 25 dancers to watch in 2013, one of Playbill.com picks for breakout performances of the 2012-13 Broadway season, and chosen by Cole Haan as one of 9 most talented people they know.

KEN PAGE (Porter) is the voice of Mr. Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, and all subsequent products associated with the cult classic, as well as The Haunted Mansion at The Disneyland Parks. Broadway debut - Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black production, for which he received the Theatre World award. Other Broadway and New York credits include- CATS (Original Broadway & Film), Ain't Misbehavin', (Original Broadway, L.A., Paris, Emmy Award Winning NBC-TV, Drama Desk Award-Best Actor), The Wiz, The Wizard of Oz, Happiness. Film: Dreamgirls, Torch Song Trilogy, All Dogs Go To Heaven. Television: Disney's Polly and Polly Coming Home, Charmed, Touched by an Angel, Duke Ellington - The Music Lives On. Ken debuted his new Cabaret show Old New Borrowed and Blue at New York's 54 Below.

MICHAEL JAMES REED (Clayton) is delighted to return to The Muny after appearing last year in South Pacific and West Side Story, and two years ago in The King and I. Most recently seen with the Shakespeare Festival in Henry IV & V (as Henry IV) and in the New Jewish Theatre's acclaimed revival of The Price. Local audiences have also seen him numerous times at the Rep, including The Mousetrap, Clybourne Park, A Steady Rain, The Invisible Hand, In the Next Room or the vibrator play, and Macbeth. NY Theatre credits include La Bête (Broadway), King Lear (Roundabout, starring Hal Holbrook), Amphitryon (Classic Stage Co), and A Forest in Arden (New York Theatre Workshop). Regional credits include Old Globe, Pasadena Playhouse, Alley Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Asolo Theatre Festival, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Syracuse Stage, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Favorite TV appearances include Numb3rs, 24, JAG, Six Feet Under, The Shield, King of Queens, That 70's Show, and So Notorious. He is a graduate of London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

SPENCER JONES (Young Tarzan) is 9 years old and attends Robinson Elementary School in Kirkwood, Missouri. This is his third summer performing at The Muny. He was in the Youth Chorus for The King and I (2012), Spamalot (2013), and Shrek (2013). He played Jerome in South Pacific (2013).

NATHANIEL MAHONE (Young Terk) is ecstatic to be at The Muny. He performed in the Muny youth ensemble of Shrek (2013), is currently a member of The Muny Kids, and will also be in Seussical (youth ensemble). Nathaniel attended Green Pines Elementary.

To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900, extension 550, or order online at www.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

The 2014 Season includes Billy Elliot the Musical (June 16 - 22), Tarzan (June 25 - July 2), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (July 7 - 13), The Addams Family (July 14 - 20), Seussical (July 22 - 28), Grease (July 31 - August 8), and Hello, Dolly! (August 11 - 17).

Season Ticket buyers will enjoy their reserved seats for Tarzan from June 25 - July 1, and for Grease on July 31 - August 6. Additional performances (July 2, August 7 and 8) are non-subscribed and offer exceptional seating opportunities for groups.

Groups of 20 or more people can enjoy a 20% discount. The group sales office is taking orders now. For more information or to make reservations, call (314) 595-5708.

Single tickets will be available beginning Saturday, May 31 at The Muny Box Office in Forest Park, online or by phone. For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visit www.muny.org.

For information on becoming a Muny Partner, visit www.muny.org or call (314) 595-5728. Southwest Airlines® is the Official Airline of The Muny.