Wheaton Student to Perform as 'Jane' in Disney's Tarzan Musical

Written by Sylvia Harder

Though Rylie Orphan, 16, has been acting and singing for years, her dream has always been to play the role of Jane in Tarzan. “I’ve always loved her”, Orphan says. “She’s weird, quirky, and loves to sketch. I’ve always seen myself in her.” Now, her dream is coming true.

Spotlight Youth Theater’s production of the action packed Broadway musical, Tarzan, comes to the Batavia Fine Arts Center May 15th-17th. As the first human Tarzan ever sees, having been brought up by gorillas, Orphan brings the character of Jane brilliantly to life, saying “She’s one of those characters you can unlock secrets to – she never gets old.” With intricate sets of jungle vines, a myriad of flying and swinging characters, and renowned music by Phil Collins, this show is sure to please audiences of all ages. “The dancing is absolutely amazing” Orphan says. “I admire the dancers so much, and we have the coolest directors ever!”

Rylie’s two younger sisters, Andie, and Kylie, have also been cast in the production. “It’s a lot of fun to be with my sisters,” she says. “We’re all so different, but we’re all coming together to do the same thing. I appreciate my siblings a lot more. I get to see them outside of school and see them thrive in something.”

A home-schooled high school freshman, Orphan encourages other young people to see what Spotlight Youth Theater (which she calls her “home away from home”) has to offer. With classes and three large scale productions each year, she calls Spotlight “a magical place”, where strong friendships are made, and dreams – like hers of playing Jane, do come true. “People say Disneyworld is the happiest place on earth – but that’s not true, because Spotlight is!”.

Please join us as Spotlight Youth Theater present, Disney’s Tarzan, based on the epic animated adventure of Edgar Rice Burrough’s novel, Tarzan of the Apes. A shipwreck leaves an infant orphaned on the West African shore. The helpless baby is taken under the protection of a gorilla tribe and becomes part of their family. When he eventually encounters his first human – Jane Porter, a curious young explorer – both their worlds are transformed forever. Disney’s Tarzan is full of high-flying excitement and heart-pumping music that will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family!

WHEN: May 15th – May 17th

• Friday, May 15th – 7:00pm
• Saturday, May 16th – 2:00pm
• Saturday, May 16th – 6:00pm
• Sunday, May 17th – 3:00pm

WHERE: Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main Street (entrance off of Wilson), Batavia, IL

TICKETS: 847-516-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org $9-$12 presale, + $2 at the door
Group, child, and senior prices available

WHO: Spotlight Youth Theater is a non-profit, educational theater arts program for students 5-18 in the Aurora, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kenosha, Lake, McHenry, Milwaukee, Oak Park, Orland Park, Rockford Metro, and Shorewood areas and has approximately 6,000 students per year. Each area offers summer camps and after-school classes in dance, voice, drama and theatrical specialties, and performs three fully staged musical productions per year. Spotlight is non- discriminatory and welcomes all children.