Slow Burn Theatre Co.'s Tarzan

The jungle comes to life on stage in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s adaptation of Disney’s Tarzan. Swinging to new heights, this interpretation of the childhood classic elevates the tale with its commendable technique and sincere heart. From a high-flying wild man to fluttering butterflies, this production embodies the spectacle that is Tarzan. A production defined by its superb technical features, Tarzan integrated texture to the stage. Starting with the masterfully fashioned costumes, resident designer Rick Peña proved his genius by creating animal costumes that appear both believable and wearable. A dance driven gorilla ensemble inspired costumes that allow for free motion, yet still uphold the cohesion and dynamics of an animal pack. A sea of blues, browns, and blacks, the gorillas’ fringe sets were mesmerizing as they leaped around the stage. However, these lively beasts drew attention, not just for their eye-catching costumes, they commanded the stage with precise African inspired movements, choreographed by Director Patrick Fitzwater himself. Throughout the performance, this ensemble consistently nails dance pieces ranging from acrobatics to a hint of hip-hop. Led by their gorilla mother Kala (Shonda Thurman), these dancers served as a true highlight of the production. Thurman further added spunk to the performance with commanding vocals and a palpable authenticity. Her heartfelt rendition of the iconic anthem “You’ll Be in My Heart” set a warm, fervent tone for the show as she transitioned from sheltered wife to fiercely loyal single parent. The production certainly tested Thurman’s vocal and emotional range, specifically in the tender duet “Sure As Sun Turns to Moon.” Thurman’s vocal purity and genuine portrayal of Kala added depth to an already layered production. Another captivating metamorphosis illustrated on stage is that of the titular character himself, Tarzan. Introduced as a naive boy, played by Christo Joseph Amygdalitsis, this spunky adolescent offers innocence and energy. Amygdalitsis’ lovable Young Tarzan shares adorable moments of comedic gold with his number one pal Terk (Darius J. Manuel) in “Who Better Than Me?” Whereas, adult Tarzan’s (Natale Pirrotta) performance was driven by both strength and vulnerability. Showcased in “Strangers Like Me” and “Everything That I Am,” Pirrotta rooted the show in his organic depiction of the misunderstood outcast and his raw journey in search of acceptance. A triumphant story of love, loss, and a quest for knowledge, Tarzan transcends boundaries of regional theatre and sets a new technical standard for South Florida drama. The jungle comes to life on stage in Slow Burn Theatre Company’s adaptation of Disney’s Tarzan. Swinging to new heights, this interpretation of the childhood classic elevates the tale with its commendable technique and sincere heart. From a high-flying wild man to fluttering butterflies, this production embodies the spectacle that is Tarzan. A production defined by its superb technical features, Tarzan integrated texture to the stage. Starting with the masterfully fashioned costumes, resident designer Rick Peña proved his genius by creating animal costumes that appear both believable and wearable. A dance driven gorilla ensemble inspired costumes that allow for free motion, yet still uphold the cohesion and dynamics of an animal pack. A sea of blues, browns, and blacks, the gorillas’ fringe sets were mesmerizing as they leaped around the stage. However, these lively beasts drew attention, not just for their eye-catching costumes, they commanded the stage with precise African inspired movements, choreographed by Director Patrick Fitzwater himself. Throughout the performance, this ensemble consistently nails dance pieces ranging from acrobatics to a hint of hip-hop. Led by their gorilla mother Kala (Shonda Thurman), these dancers served as a true highlight of the production. Thurman further added spunk to the performance with commanding vocals and a palpable authenticity. Her heartfelt rendition of the iconic anthem “You’ll Be in My Heart” set a warm, fervent tone for the show as she transitioned from sheltered wife to fiercely loyal single parent. The production certainly tested Thurman’s vocal and emotional range, specifically in the tender duet “Sure As Sun Turns to Moon.” Thurman’s vocal purity and genuine portrayal of Kala added depth to an already layered production. Another captivating metamorphosis illustrated on stage is that of the titular character himself, Tarzan. Introduced as a naive boy, played by Christo Joseph Amygdalitsis, this spunky adolescent offers innocence and energy. Amygdalitsis’ lovable Young Tarzan shares adorable moments of comedic gold with his number one pal Terk (Darius J. Manuel) in “Who Better Than Me?” Whereas, adult Tarzan’s (Natale Pirrotta) performance was driven by both strength and vulnerability. Showcased in “Strangers Like Me” and “Everything That I Am,” Pirrotta rooted the show in his organic depiction of the misunderstood outcast and his raw journey in search of acceptance. A triumphant story of love, loss, and a quest for knowledge, Tarzan transcends boundaries of regional theatre and sets a new technical standard for South Florida drama.