Family Musical "Disney's Tarzan' Features Four Piedmont Students

Four Piedmont students are among the cast of Disney's TARZAN, a Berkeley Playhouse Kidstage production opening Saturday. They are Donya Kashani (Piedmont Middle School), Mina Handelsman (Havens Elementary) and Jacob Kwong and Olivia Titterton (both from Beach Elementary).

Disney's Tarzan is a family musical that features songs by award-winning pop artist Phil Collins including the Grammy and Oscar-winning ballad, “You’ll Be In My Heart.”

Playwright Henry Hwang’s book adapts both the Disney film and the classic tale by novelist Edgar Rice Burroughs.

It tells the story of a helpless baby, orphaned by a shipwreck on a West African shore, who becomes part of a gorilla family. As the only human in the tribe, young Tarzan grows up striving for acceptance from his ape father while struggling with his uniqueness. When he eventually encounters his first human — Jane Porter, a curious young botanist from London — both their worlds are transformed forever. 

Show Run: Jan. 18–Jan. 26

All performances: Thursday–Friday (1/23 & 1/24) 7 pm; Saturday at 1 pm and 6 pm; Sunday at 12: noon and 5 pm; Monday (1/20 only) 12 noon and 5 pm

Where: Berkeley Playhouse at the Julia Morgan Theater. 2640 College Ave. Berkeley, 94704

Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for youth. The public may visit www.berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542 x351. Group rate available.