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'American Idol' loser to play Tarzan on Broadway

Posted on: Friday, 9 December 2005, 11:57 CST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former "American Idol" contestant who didn't make the finals of the television talent show will play Tarzan in a new musical of the classic jungle story on Broadway next year.

The producers of "Tarzan" said on Thursday Josh Strickland, who was a contestant on the second season of the hit show on the Fox television network, would play the lead in the musical which is due to open in May with music by Phil Collins.

Strickland was knocked out in the early rounds of "American Idol" in 2003 but has since appeared in the national tour of the musical "Rent." "Tarzan" will be his Broadway debut.

Gospel singer Ruben Studdard was the 2003 "American Idol" winner but the most successful contestant from that season has been runner-up Clay Aiken, who has since had a string of hits.

Earlier this year the producers of "Tarzan" held open casting calls for the lead, saying they were looking for somebody "charming, sexy, vulnerable, animal-like, mysterious and ... toned, like a swimmer."

The musical has been adapted from the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel "Tarzan of the Apes" and the 1999 Disney film with music by the former Genesis drummer Collins.

Source: REUTERS

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