Photo Flash: First Look at the Cast of Manatee Players' TARZAN

The Manatee Players' production of Disney's TARZAN will be the area premier of this family friendly musical! Disney's TARZAN opens at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Thursday August 7 and plays through Sunday August 24. Check out a first look at the cast below!

Performances are Tuesday - Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $27-$37 including facility fee for adults, $15-$18 including facility fee for teachers and $13-$16 including facility fee for students. Tickets may be reserved by calling 941-748-5875 Monday - Friday from 9-5 and one hour before curtain on performance days or on the Manatee Players' website:www.manateeplayers.com. All performances are at the Manatee Performing Arts Center at 502 3rd Avenue West in downtown Bradenton.

Based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, TARZAN features heart-pumping music by rock legend Phil Collins and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. High-flying excitement and hits like the Academy Award winning "You'll Be in My Heart" as well as "Son of Man" and "Two Worlds" make TARZAN an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by gorillas who name him TARZAN. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan's life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe's territory and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.

Starring as 'Tarzan' is Brian Kleinschmidt, best known as a contestant on CBS's THE AMAZING RACE: Season 15. Playing 'Jane' is Sarah Cassidy, who starred as 'Fantine' in last season's hit production of LES MISERABLES and 'Princess Fiona' in SHREK. Also in the cast are MaryKate Duignan as 'Kala', Dave Downer as 'Kerchak', Miranda Wolf as 'Terk', Maverick Wolf as 'Young Tarzan' and Jack Harkleroad as 'Professor Porter'. A large ensemble of singers, dancers and acrobats rounds out the cast. Aerial effects are being created by On The Fly productions, who currently has The Mothmen appearing on NBC's America's Got Talent.

The show is being directed and choreographed by Rick Kerby with Rick Bogner as musical director.

The Manatee Players is an award-winning non-profit community theater located in downtown Bradenton, Florida. Our Mission is to represent, enrich and stimulate people through the art of live theatre by providing entertainment, education and an artistic outlet. The Manatee Players and its performance venue serve as a significant cultural, educational and economic resource for the Florida Gulf region.

Photo credit: Denny Miller

Brian Kleinschmidt

Brian Kleinschmidt, Sarah Cassidy

Brian Kleinschmidt