How to go
What: “Tarzan”
Where: Epiphany Lutheran Church, 6430 Far Hills Ave., Centerville
When: July 9-19; Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 for adults; $10 for students and seniors (60 and older); $5 for children (5 and younger)
Tickets: Call (937) 433-1449, ext. 105
More info: Go online to www.epiphanydayton.org or e-mail drama@epiphanydayton.org.
FYI: Every summer a charitable organization is selected to receive a portion of the proceeds. This year's beneficiary is the Haitian Timoun Foundation. For more information, go online to www.htflive.org.
Epiphany’s summer shows
1991: “The Sound of Music”
1992: “Fiddler on the Roof”
1993: “The Music Man”
1994: “Bye Bye Birdie”
1995: “The Curious Savage”
1996: “Annie”
1997: “Oklahoma!”
1998: “The Wizard of Oz”
1999: “Children of Eden”
2000: “Into the Woods”
2001: “The Sound of Music”
2002: “The Secret Garden”
2003: “Peter Pan”
2004: “Jane Eyre, the Musical”
2005: “Oliver!”
2006: “The Music Man”
2007: “South Pacific”
2008: “The Wizard of Oz”
2009: “Children of Eden”
2010: “Seussical”
2011: “The Sound of Music”
2012: “Willy Wonka”
2013: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
2014: “Once On This Island”
The Epiphany Players Drama Ministry of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Centerville celebrates its 25th anniversary with a presentation of the 2006 musical version of Disney’s “Tarzan” beginning Thursday.
“Tarzan” weaves engaging themes of family, hope and romance into its story, about an orphan raised by apes who falls in love with Jane, a beautiful biologist.
“Tarzan” is adapted by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang (“M. Butterfly”) from the 1999 Academy Award-winning film of the same name and the original novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Pop music legend Phil Collins’ tuneful, upbeat score includes “You’ll Be in My Heart,” “Two Worlds,” “Son of Man” and “For the First Time.”
“I absolutely love the message of strength, love and family in this show,” said director/choreographer Megan Wean Sears. “ ‘Tarzan’ teaches us that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. I want the cast and the audience to realize that whatever happens in life it’ll be okay because there will always be a strong family bond in your life whether blood-related or just friends.”
“ ‘Tarzan’ is a wonderful show about accepting people’s differences and loving them no matter who they are,” said Brianna Russ, who portrays Kala, Tarzan’s mother, and portrayed Ti Moune in Epiphany’s production of “Once On This Island” last year. “Love and acceptance is especially shown in my character who takes Tarzan in as her son. For me, the story is not about gorillas taking in a human, but about the love in adoption. Kala’s motherly instincts are so strong that she would leave her entire life behind to take care of a son she did not even give birth to. Of course, it is amazing to sing such an iconic song as ‘You’ll Be in My Heart.’ Epiphany does something special with that song by allowing Tarzan’s human parents to sing that song as well. I think it will be a very powerful moment.”
At the very beginning
In 1991, Epiphany produced “The Sound of Music,” the organization’s first summer musical. Jane Lane portrayed housekeeper Frau Schmidt in the inaugural undertaking and currently handles box office duties for the drama ministry.
“The idea for drama came from two of our pastors then, the Rev. Larry Hoffsis and the Rev. Greg Van Dunk,” Lane said. “They had traveled out west to a conference in a huge church and witnessed a fantastic dramatic presentation. They both agreed Epiphany could do just as well and it would be a great initiation of our brand new sanctuary.”
In 1996, the ministry illustriously evolved and became artistically solidified when Kay Frances Wean directed “Annie,” the first of 15 summer musicals she staged. Wean’s tremendous ability to helm shows on a massive scale (she cast everyone who auditioned) put her in a league of her own. She was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2010 yet spearheaded a spectacular “Seussical” two months later fueled by her unique brand of joyful whimsicality and professional-caliber precision. She lost her battle in June 2011 at age 56, but her passion and vision endures within Epiphany and the local arts community. Wean was posthumously inducted into the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame in 2013. Lane and Wean’s husband, Ron, notably gave tributes.
Remembering Kay Wean
Jeffrey Mack, who portrays Tarzan and appeared in Epiphany’s productions of “Children of Eden” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” fondly recalls Wean as a motivating, motherly influence.
“Kay became a mother figure to me and took me under her wing as I began to enter the complicated world of theater,” he said. “One of the most important and critical things I learned from her was to ‘always tell the story.’ I was very new to performing when we met and will always credit her for my drive and desire to continue to grow as an actor. I find myself constantly reminiscing on our time together, especially when I am feeling discouraged or insecure. She was my greatest mentor and a very close friend.”
“Kay possessed a keen perception of people, especially children,” Lane said. “She could recognize potential in them that they couldn’t even imagine in themselves. I always loved asking her who was impressing her during the rehearsals for the Christmas musical. She delighted in reporting the progress that so-and-so was making. A child’s growth and transformation was one of her greatest rewards.”
“I was always drawn to the music and story in ‘Tarzan,’ but I’ve definitely connected to it in a way I wasn’t sure would happen since it parallels my life,” Sears said. “I lost my mom at a young age, but so many church mothers have been there for me and my sister Kandis. They have helped raise us and have been there on our wedding days. This production has been a very touching, emotional journey.”
Instilling inclusiveness
In addition to high-flying effects courtesy of ZFX, “Tarzan” features a multigenerational cast of over 60 actors. Sears is grateful to be able to helm a musical grounded in the assurance of family which reiterates what the Epiphany drama ministry is all about.
“It takes everyone to make a production,” she said. “The feeling of belonging and making sure everyone feels included is important. Giving people opportunities and helping them grow in their confidence is the Epiphany way. It is a continuation of my mom’s legacy.”
“Being involved with Epiphany has created a unique sense of family for me that I have never experienced at other theaters,” Mack said. “Of all my experiences in theater, my favorite memories are with Epiphany.”
“Epiphany has given me purpose every summer since second grade,” Russ said. “It also brings my family close together, because we all enjoy the experience. Three of my sisters are also in ‘Tarzan,’ and I love that we can share our love of theater in such a great community. At Epiphany I’ve always felt like I was really home.”
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