Dan at home in Phl: It feels like Puerto Rico

When Tarzan opens tomorrow (June 14) at the Meralco Theater, Dan Domenech, the Broadway actor playing the title role, shall have acclimatized himself to things Philippine.

“I feel as if I haven’t left home at all,” the Puerto Rican actor told Funfare two weeks after he flew in to start rehearsal for the musical produced by Viva Atlantis Theatricals and directed by Chari Arespacochaga. “Everything is similar to my country,” echoing what most visiting foreign actors have been saying. “The weather is great, everyone is hospitable and friendly, my co-stars are working so hard, the company is so easy and it doesn’t feel like work. No drama; everyone is very sweet.”

Tarzan is a Disney musical about a baby taken in and raised by a tribe of gorillas in the Congo. He grows up unconditionally loved by his adoptive mother Kala (played by Ima Castro who was last seen in The Full Monty where she stole scenes without her trying to) but struggles to be accepted by his father Kerchak (Calvin Millado). He survives the wild and tries to be “the best ape ever” with the help of a friend. Then, a human expedition arrives in the jungle, along with the adventurous Jane Porter (Rachelle Ann Go) who feels right at home. When Tarzan and Jane meet, their world changes forever.

The classic tale by Edgar Rice Burrough, adapted into the smash-hit animated film, and has been re-imagined for the stage with a book by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, etc.) with the songs are by Phil Collins.

Working with Filipino actors is not new to Dan who played Drew in the Broadway musical Rock Of Ages with Fil-Aussie MiG Ayesa (who’s coming back next month for the Rock Of Ages repeat). “I’m in good company,” smiled Dan whose theater credits also include the pre-Broadway productions of Sister Act and Wonderland, the Broadway plays Rent, Altar Boyz, The Who’s Tommy and, most recently Aladdin, another Disney musical. He has also appeared in Glee.

How did Dan get the Tarzan plum?

“I got a phone call from a voice teacher who is friends with Chari,” narrated Dan who, at 6-feet-plus, towers over his co-stars. “Then, before I knew it, I was signing up and I was on my way to Manila. That easy.”

As Tarzan, Dan will be wearing a shoulder-length wig but not the loincloth (semi-bahag) familiar to followers of the Tarzan movies. He will be swinging on vines as he sings and that scares Rachelle a bit.

“I was nervous before I met Dan,” confessed Rachelle who is into her second theater venture after her debut as Ariel in Atlantis Productions’ The Little Mermaid. “Sa height pa lang niya, parang na-i-intimidate na ako. But when we started the rehearsal, nawala ang takot ko. Dan is so nice, mabait na mabait siya, so I felt at ease right away.”

Same with Dan.

“Rachelle didn’t have any reason to be nervous,” assured Dan. “She is so professional and a natural actress. It’s a great opportunity for me to work with her.”

Ima, who played Kim in Miss Saigon in London’s West End (where she met her British co-star that she married and eventually separated from), said she’s happy playing mom to Dan’s Tarzan.

“I’m his nurturing mom,” said Ima who has to be made older to be credible in the role.

“A lot of make-up,” quipped Dan. “The moment we were acting even during the rehearsals, I felt as if Ima was really my mom.”

To which Ima replied with a big “Wow!”

Dan and Rachelle make a handsome pair as the jungle sweethearts Tarzan and Jane: Doing the musical is a ‘swinging’ experience for them

Ima launched her career when she won the grand prize in the 1991 nationwide Panasonic Quest For The Best. She has since won several awards in competitions not only here but abroad. For Saigon, she lived in London for almost a year until she returned to Manila to play the title role at Atlantis Productions’ Aida.

After The Full Monty, according to Ima, Tarzan gave her a welcome change of pace.

“I feel good working again with a foreign actor,” said Ima.

So what is it about Ima that reminds Dan of his real mom?

“Her being caring,” said Dan. “She’s there to make me (as Tarzan) feel better and secure. So very much like my own mother. In one scene, she’s covered with mud as she takes me in her arms. It was comforting.”

As soon as Tarzan finishes its run (on July 7), Dan will fly back to New York (where he’s based) to resume work on other productions.

“I will miss the laid-back life here,” he mused. “In New York, everybody seems to be in a hurry, always in a rush.”

(Note: The Viva Atlantis Theatricals’ production of Disney’s Tarzan will run at the Meralco Theater from June 14 to July 7. For tickets, call Viva at 687-5853 local 661 or Ticketworld at 892-7078.)

 (E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)