The Cassadaga Valley production includes over 40 students working in various roles, from actors to musicians to stage crew. In addition to those traditional roles, the art department’s graphic design students developed their own take on a Tarzan poster/program cover, and photography students contributed to the program design and content. Key Club students will help the CV Music Boosters with concessions over the show weekend.

The show is directed by CVCS music faculty members Nicole Zenns and John Cole, along with technology education faculty member Reggie Cole. Music faculty member Mrs. Ann Rose is joining the production on keyboard in the pit orchestra for the first time.

Zenns, stage director and pit orchestra conductor, says the classic Tarzan story is expanded in this stage musical. “The score to the show is by British rock legend Phil Collins, and includes the songs you love from the original Disney cartoon such as ‘You’ll Be In My Heart,’ and ‘Strangers Like Me.’ A few new songs were written by Collins to expand the characters and develop the film into a stage version,” she said.

The entire student body, from pre-K to grade 12 will be able to attend a preview of the show before it is offered to the general public. “We are lucky to have such a rich tradition of an annual musical at CVCS. Everyone gets excited about it and looks forward to the amazing things the students will do,” said Zenns.

Pictured are Akira Smith who will portray Jane and Matthew Helwig who will portray Tarzan in Cassadaga Valley’s spring musical.

“The CVCS stage crew welcomed several new members this year to replace outgoing seniors,” said Cole, the show’s stage crew and producer. “The new group has been busy building, painting, lighting the stage and helping with sound. I really appreciate the hard work from all of the stage crew members.”

Cole, vocal coach and the show’s finance manager, stated that the Drama Club has received much support from the CVCS administration and the School Board of Education throughout the process presenting ‘Tarzan.’ “We are so thankful to be putting on a show that involves so many wonderful CVCS students and are incredibly proud of their hard work this year. We hope to see you at one or more of our three ‘Tarzan’ performances,” he said.

The cast and supporting crew is as follows:

¯ Tarzan — Matthew Helwig

¯ Jane Porter — Akira Smith

¯ Kerchak — Caden Frost

¯ Kala – Hannah Yonkers: Friday and Sunday; Kristin Wise: Saturday

¯ Terk — Isabella Dutton

¯ Young Tarzan — Anthony Clark

¯ Young Terk — Maliyah Stone: Friday and Sunday; Elliana Katilus: Saturday

¯ Clayton – Shane Comstock

¯ Professor Porter – Mr. Phil Bens

¯ Mother — Eliza Andersen

¯ Father — Shane Comstock

¯ Snipes — Katarina Pattison

¯ Featured Ensemble – Eliza Andersen, Ariana Main, Lilleean Meacham

¯ Jungle Dancers — Eliza Andersen, Addison Helwig, Ariana Main, Lilleean Meacham, Brandi Meder, Shea Richerson, Miranda Ryen

¯ Ape Families/ensemble — Eliza Andersen, Alicyn Debo, Anthony Clark, Elaina Frary, Addison Helwig, Gabby Hubler, Quinn Johnson, Eliana Katilus, Ariana Main, Lilleean Meacham, Brandi Meder, Shea Richerson, Miranda Ryen, Maliyah Stone, Kristin Wise, Hannah Yonkers

¯ Leopard — Alicyn Debo

¯ Expedition Crew — Skyleigh Debo and Katarina Pattison

¯ Pit Orchestra — Anna Burlingame, keyboard; Andrew Faulkner, guitar; Georgianna Knott, flute; Angelica Mullen, trumpet; James Mullen, baritone saxophone; Haydn Myers, drums; Mrs. Ann Rose, keyboard; Caitie Russell, French horn; Mrs. Nicole Zenns, conductor.

¯ Stage Crew — Lauren Jasinski, Cameron Katilus, Adrianna Lynn Myers, Brianna Myers, Robert Polley, Paige Zybert

The show begins with Tarzan’s mother and father in a shipwreck off the coast of Africa, and continues to tell the backstory of Tarzan’s adoptive gorilla mother and father, Kala and Kerchak. A British expedition crew arrives, and Tarzan observes Jane Porter, a young English naturalist. Jane and her father, Professor Porter, are on the expedition to study gorillas, but unknown to them, the unethical expedition leader Clayton plans to harm the gorillas and capture them to sell. Jane continues to meet with Tarzan and tries to teach him about being human, and they develop deep feelings for one another. Tarzan is conflicted about choosing between the two worlds, gorilla and human. The final dramatic conflict between Tarzan and Clayton will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, and its resolution is a satisfying conclusion to the musical.

Tarzan’ will be presented in the J. Arthur France Auditorium at Cassadaga Valley Central School March 24, 25, and 26. The website to purchase tickets is https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/71789. All ticket sales are online. If you need assistance with purchasing tickets, please contact John Cole at (716) 962-8581 x1121.