MPB Players/HIP to present Disney’s Tarzan this fall

Meeting & auditions upcoming

Disney’s “Tarzan” is coming to the Hazleton Integration Project stage this fall, and now is the time to sign up to be a part of the production. The MPB Community Players, in cooperation with HIP, will present the show September 22-24 at HIP’s Community Center on East Fourth Street in Hazleton, and actors of all ages are welcome to take part. Auditions will be held in early July, but the Players and HIP will host an informational session before that to explain the process and answer questions.

The animated Disney movie was released in 1999, and the stage show opened on Broadway in 2006. The modern, upbeat music is by Phil Collins, and includes the Oscar-winning classic “You’ll Be In My Heart,” as well as the lively “Trashin’ the Camp.”

The MPB Players have a long standing tradition of including everyone who auditions in the cast. For this production, children in grade 4 and up, as well as all adults, will be eligible for all roles, including Tarzan, the boy raised by gorillas, his mother, Kala, and the English island visitors, Jane and her father. Children in first through third grades are also welcome to participate, and will make up the kids’ chorus.

For those who are new to the theatrical process, the Players will hold a question and answer session on Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the HIP Center, which is located at 225 E. 4th Street in Hazleton.

“Being a part of a play is a fun and exciting experience for anyone, but we know that those who haven’t done it before might not know what to expect,” said co-director Judiann McGrogan. “We’ll take the time to explain everything about a theatrical production, from the audition process, to how rehearsals will run, and the ultimate goal of performing before an audience.” The group also hopes to show clips of the original Disney animated movie , “Tarzan.” The meeting on the 28th is open to all, but will be especially helpful to parents who are looking to get their children involved in the show. “We will explain to parents how youngsters will be learning the basics of theatre while rehearsing for this production.” There will also be opportunities for backstage experience. The group will welcome both children and adults who want to build or paint sets, make costumes, run lighting or sound equipment, or help with ticket sales. “In our over 30 years of doing shows, we’ve had many instances where the kids were rehearsing to be onstage while their parents were helping with sets, or the other way around,” added McGrogan.

Auditions for “Tarzan” will be held Wednesday and Thursday, July 5 and 6, starting at 7 p.m. at the HIP Center. Attendance at the informational session is not required for those wishing to skip right to auditions. The audition process will include reading a small segment of the script, and singing a short, well- known song. Directors will determine who gets what roles in the show based on the auditions.

Rehearsals will be held in the basement of the HIP Center throughout the summer, and become more frequent as the show nears. Details about the production, the informational meeting, or the group can be found by searching the MPB Community Players on Facebook. Or call (570) 4016679 or email mcgroganj@ gmail.com.