Home

News
  Archive 2007
  Archive 2005
  Archive 2004
  Archive 2003
  Archive 2002
  Archive 2001

Updates

20 Sept : Fans of Frankenstein, the Musical (the show which Shuler recorded in 2001 and not to be confused with the upcoming Young Frankenstein!) will be interested to hear that, following a major rewrite, the show is to have a special presentation this month at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (starring Ron Bohmer and Davis Gaines) with a National Tour planned for 2007/8. Full details at the show's website

7 Sept : Shuler revisits Frankenstein! He's set to play the Monster in a reading of the musical version of Mel Brooks' famous film Young Frankenstein next month. Susan Stroman (Oklahoma!, The Producers) will direct, and Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Marc Kudisch will also take part. NB this is a trial reading of the show only.   

5 Aug : Shuler recently featured in Parade's Personality Parade column, where readers send in questions via email:

Q. The aerial skills of the actors as monkeys in Broadway’s Tarzan are amazing. But why don’t the stars who play Kala and Kerchak, the gorillas that adopt Tarzan, also swing in the trees? Lyn Smith, Arlington, Va.

A. “I spent six weeks training to fly with a harness,” says Tony-winner (Oklahoma!) Shuler Hensley, 39, who plays Kerchak. “Then we learned that gorillas are mostly ground-dwellers." "That was a relief," he adds. “At 265 pounds, I feel safer on the ground!”

12 July : A one-hour special of highlights from Broadway Under the Stars will be broadcast on CBS2 this coming Saturday, the 15th, at 7pm ET (check local times). 

7 July : David Zukerman reports that the current BSL situation is getting complicated, with both this week's and next week's games being played on Friday (instead of the regular Thursday) and last week's game being played on the North Meadow (not the Great Lawn). Anyone considering attending a BSL game would be well advised to check Latest News on the BSL website for up-to-date information.

David's own website has two new photos of Shuler taken at last week's game. See the Lonely Pamphleteer, July 3. 

2 July : For anyone trying to find David Zukerman's account of the Broadway Show League Opening Day (Latest News, 1 June) : it has been archived and can now be read here. Shuler plays for the Phantom of the Opera team this season as Tarzan doesn't have a softball team. Games are held on Thursdays and are likely to be on the Great Lawn while the Heckscher ballfields are being renovated.

20 June : Shuler will be taking part in two upcoming New York events ~ Broadway Under the Stars (a concert to be held in Central Park next Monday, the 26th) and Broadway Barks (the annual charity pet presentation, to be held in Shubert Alley on 8 July). Read more about the events at Playbill here and here. 

17 June : Just a reminder that the Tarzan CD is due for release on the 27th of this month.

1 June : Following on from our news item of 25 May, Broadway.com has a lovely photo of Shuler and Richard Griffiths at the Outer Critics Circle Awards (No 21 of 24).

And don't miss David Zukerman's very interesting account of the Show League opening day (which includes a great photo of Shuler) on his website the Lonely Pamphleteer. David has kindly sent in more photos of the event, to be added to Shuler's site in due course. While waiting for these, do check out David's previous photos in the Gallery if you haven't seen them already!

31 May : Shuler has played for the Broadway Show League regularly over the years and was at the softball fields in Central Park last Thursday, together with his family, for the opening of the 2006 season. There are lots of great photos of the event online ~ take a look at Broadway.com and BroadwayWorld.com. And don't miss the official Broadway Show League website, where Carlos Martinez' shots include several of Shuler (one shows him singing the national anthem), and David Zukerman's include one of Paula (with Josh and Jenn from Tarzan) and one of Shuler at bat. 

NB Shuler will be taking batting practice at the Mets game, Shea Stadium, this Friday!

25 May : Shuler Goes Ape! Broadway.com publishes 10 fabulous photos of Shuler and all the family on a trip to see the real life apes at the Bronx Zoo! This also featured in the Daily News on Wednesday. 

Today at Sardis Restaurant, Shuler will present British actor Richard Griffiths with the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (History Boys). Shuler and Richard worked together on the movie Opa! which is due for general release this summer.

20 May : Playbill has a great photo of Shuler attending the annual New Dramatists Spring Luncheon at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, NYC on 18 May, where Chita Rivera received a lifetime achievement award.

Broadway World has a fantastic selection of photos from Opening Night and the Gypsy Robe Ceremony, plus an exciting Video Preview of the show.

Over at Broadway.com there are lots more Photos, and a great 7-minute Video Feature comprising scenes from the show plus Opening Night interviews. These include Shuler discussing Phil Collins, and how he learnt to be a gorilla! 

Playbill features an Article with even more photos.

5 May : Photo coverage of Broadway show The Drowsy Chaperone's opening night has some great shots of Shuler and Paula - check them out at BroadwayWorld.com (here and here) and at Broadway.com.

And there are 2 new articles relating to Tarzan : Phil Collins to Sing on Tarzan Cast Recording and Tarzan takes off : Broadway actors learn to soar for new Disney musical.

4 May : The newspaper article about Shuler and Paula, complete with lovely photo, is now online at the New York Times - STYLE - Home & Garden - Mr. Punctual and Ms. Tardy, Buying Time. You may need to register if not already a member, but registration is free. Enjoy!  

2 May : Advance warning from Shuler : this Thursday's New York Times - Style - Home & Garden section will feature an article about Paula and Shuler and their interest in collecting clocks!

15 April : Today's Arts section of the New York Times features a great, in-depth article about the staging of Tarzan.

And from the UK's Daily Mail, news that Opa! will be on general release this summer.

5 April : NB. Starting from tomorrow, Disney will replace Tarzan's ticket Lottery system with Student Rush. Student Rush tix will be available at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, price $20 and based on availability. There will be a limit of 2 tickets per student, and valid ID is required. Tickets will start to be sold 2 hours before each performance and will be available on a first come, first served basis. 

24 March : Tarzan's very first preview performance is set for tonight. Because it's a show still in process, tickets will be lower priced during the preview period. Disney will also be offering a limited number of Lottery tickets priced at just $20 throughout the show's run. These tickets will be available at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on the day of the show, and are for seats in the first row of the orchestra. Lottery forms will be completed 2.5 hours before the show, winners chosen 2 hours before the show, and a limit of 2 tickets per person. NB cash only. 

6 March : All best wishes to Shuler for a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

28 Feb : Disney's Thomas Schumacher reveals some very interesting details about Tarzan's staging and score in a great article by The Journal News :

"We've created a universe on stage, a flexible environment in which the show is staged both on the ground and above the ground." ..... BUT ....."Tarzan is not about the set or the spectacle. This Disney show is more intimate. " ..... "Unlike Lion King, audiences will not see images on the stage that look like we're reproducing anything out of a film. It's highly theatrical." ..... Phil Collins has added eight new songs and has fleshed out a Broadway score - his first. "From the first downbeat of the music it will be recognizable."   Read the full article here

5 Feb : Sh-k-Boom's CD recording of The Great American Trailer Park Musical is now on general release. The Legend of Zorro was released on DVD in the US on 31 January, with its UK release scheduled for 6 March.

4 Jan : The Great American Trailer Park Musical cast recording is now available from Sh-k-Boom Records. Price for the US is $14.99. Click here to order. And The Legend of Zorro DVD release is currently scheduled for the 31st of this month.