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Tarzan the Musical to Thrill at Sullivan Performing Arts Center

2024-12-05

Texarkana, Texas is set to witness a thrilling spectacle as Tarzan the Musical takes the stage at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center from Thursday to Saturday. This musical, based on the Disney version of Tarzan, is a must-see event that showcases the incredible talent of a group of teens. The Tiger Theatre Company is behind this production, and it has been a month and a half in the making. During this time, the students have dedicated themselves to learning their lines, dances, and vocals to the music of Phil Collins. Assistant Director Mikenzie Burns highlights the amazing feat of learning to fly in Tarzan within just three days. The choreography is incredibly difficult for teenagers, yet they have managed to master it in an exceptional amount of time. Director Brandon Shoemaker emphasizes that this is an amazing group of kids who have put their heart and soul into this production and are truly shining. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Tiger Theatre Company's Facebook page.

Why This Production is a Must-See

The Tarzan the Musical production in Texarkana is not just any ordinary show. It offers a unique experience that combines the excitement of a jungle adventure with the magic of live theater. The students involved have poured their hearts and souls into every aspect of the production, from the intricate choreography to the powerful vocals. The flying scenes alone are a sight to behold, as the performers soar through the air with grace and precision. This is a testament to their hard work and dedication. The music of Phil Collins adds an extra layer of emotion and energy to the performance, making it a truly unforgettable experience. Whether you are a fan of musicals or simply looking for a fun night out, Tarzan the Musical is sure to leave you in awe.

Behind the Scenes

The process of bringing Tarzan the Musical to life has been a labor of love for the students and the directors. They have spent countless hours rehearsing, perfecting their skills, and bringing the characters to life. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the production, from the costumes to the set design. The costumes are authentic and immersive, transporting the audience to the heart of the jungle. The set design is detailed and realistic, creating a believable world for the performers to act in. The directors have worked tirelessly to ensure that every element of the production is of the highest quality. They have provided guidance and support to the students, helping them to reach their full potential. This collaborative effort has resulted in a production that is truly exceptional.

The Impact on the Performers

For the students involved in Tarzan the Musical, this production has been a life-changing experience. It has allowed them to showcase their talents and grow as performers. The hard work and dedication they have put in have paid off, and they are now able to perform on a professional stage. This has given them a sense of confidence and pride that will stay with them for a lifetime. The experience has also taught them valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of following their dreams. These are lessons that will serve them well in the future, both on and off the stage. The impact of this production extends beyond the performers themselves. It has also brought the community together, creating a sense of unity and shared experience. People from all walks of life have come together to support the Tiger Theatre Company and enjoy this amazing production.

Indiana Jones is back in a globetrotting adventure that combines immersive sim design with set piece spectacles. This new MachineGames joint takes the beloved archeologist on a journey through different time periods and locations, offering a unique gaming experience.

Experience the Thrill of Indiana Jones in a Whole New Light

What is it?

A first person, globetrotting adventure starring everyone’s favorite archeologist. It features a range of different outfits and disguises, allowing players to explore different areas and complete various missions. The game is set in different time periods and locations, from the Vatican to the Pyramids of Giza.

The open world hubs are designed with density and inspiration, giving players a sense of being in a real place. Each hub has its own unique atmosphere and challenges, making exploration a pure joy.

Release date and expectations

Release date: December 8, 2024 (Dec 5 advanced access). Expect to pay: $70/£60. Developer: MachineGames. Publisher: Microsoft. Reviewed on: Nvidia GeForce RTX3070, Intel Core i5 12600K, 32GB RAM. Steam Deck: All signs point to “no”.

Before starting The Great Circle, the author wasn't overly excited about a triple-A Indiana Jones game. But after playing, it became clear that MachineGames had created something special.

Gameplay aspects

The Great Circle is all about more brand-appropriate hand-to-hand brawling, exploration, and puzzle solving. There are guns, but limited ammo makes them more situational tools. The combat is simple but fun, with a super-generous parry window.

The stealth mechanics are simple, with line-of-sight stealth and no sound propagation or visibility control. There are only a few mandatory stealth sequences, and the disguise system allows players to minimize stealth in other areas.

The brain teasers are just barely upper middle class, like a notch above Uncharted. There are many little puzzles throughout the game, adding to the overall enjoyment.

Level design

The game is organized around three acts with their own open world hubs, connected by more linear, set piece missions. The design of these levels is the real triumph of the game.

Vatican City is the peak of the game for the author, with its visual feast and towering architecture. The second act in the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza has a unique charm, with each stop having a little surprise or twist.

Character performances

Troy Baker's turn as Indy is killer. He nails Indy's easy, everyman-concealing-academic charisma. The rest of the cast is equally impressive, with a fiery antifascist reporter, a jovial cardinal, and a sophisticated archeology patron.

Special mention goes to the late Tony Todd as one of the game's antagonists, oozing menace with a mysterious dignity.

Technical aspects

The Great Circle is a great value in terms of playtime, with a runtime of around 30 hours for a thorough playthrough. Graphically, it is beautiful but a system hog, punishing the RTX 3070 with its always-on ray tracing and VRAM gluttony.

There were some issues with flickering shadows in the introductory areas, but it didn't detract too much from the overall experience.

In conclusion, The Great Circle is an odd duck that combines different elements in a unique way. It's one of the author's favorite releases of the year and a new outing from a favorite studio that was well worth the wait.

Between the excitement of Arcane's finale, the arrival of a new Teamfight Tactics set, and a new League of Legends season on the horizon, the world of Runeterra has been buzzing with activity. And now, Riot Games is taking it to the next level with Project K, a physical card game set in the Runeterra universe.

Riot's Physical Card Game Adventure in Runeterra

Game Formats and Mechanics

The game is playable in the traditional 1v1 TCG format, but what really gets the team excited is the fact that players can team up in groups of up to four in a free-for-all or even better, in teams of two. It features a recognizable TCG mana system, granting players two Runes per turn. Each unit and spell costs a certain amount of Runes to put into play. This system adds an interesting dynamic to the gameplay, allowing for strategic decisions and quick thinking.In the 2v2 setup, the team aimed to match the team-based, fun multiplayer experience of League. The bigger player count also makes it perfect for bigger gatherings and more real-life social experiences. According to game director Dave Guskin, this was an important goal as Riot has no plans to make a digital version of Project K at the moment.

Development Journey

Project K started its life just last year as one of Riot's many R&D department projects. After the idea of a physical League of Legends trading card game emerged, Guskin and his team developed the basic game engine in just a few months. They then began staffing up the Project K team with TCG enthusiasts from Riot's offices in Los Angeles and Shanghai.When looking for playtesters, the response was overwhelming. Guskin offered to host learn-to-play sessions, expecting around 20-25 people, but instead, over 150 to 200 people showed up, eager to learn. This demonstrated the potential interest in the game.The development process was rapid but required some iteration. For example, the 2v2 setup was developed to add more team-based fun. It was noticed that 1v1 games were missing some of the magic of multiplayer, and 2v2 was found to be really fun.To deal with the issue of team games where players could get stuck on the sidelines, the team settled on Project K's Battlefields system of points instead of a player health system. This system makes the game feel more like League of Legends and adds an extra layer of strategy.

Champion Cards and Synergy

All cards are work in progress and subject to change. Each deck in the game is built around a specific champion, aiming to make each champion card feel thematically consistent without mimicking the MOBA gameplay.For instance, decks themed around champions like Darius and Viktor focus on building armies to defeat opponents, which is thematically consistent with their in-game characters. One of the Volibear cards had a direct link to his abilities in League, granting him a shield that makes opponents' spells harder to cast against him.As someone with moderate TCG experience, Project K felt easy to pick up. It falls somewhere in the middle between simpler TCGs like Pokémon and Marvel Snap and more complex ones like Yu-Gi-Oh or Magic. The mana system is easy to understand and dynamic in the late game, while the champion cards have intuitive effects that allow for lots of synergy between them.

Release and Future Plans

Project K is set for release in China in early 2025. However, getting the game to North America is a more complicated process as Riot hasn't found the right publishing partner yet. The goal is to find a partner who cares as much as Riot does about bringing a great game experience to players in hobby stores where they will learn the game.While a firm timetable for the North American release is not available, Guskin hopes to share more news with players soon. For now, Project K will be playable for attendees of Riot's Teamfight Tactics invitational tournament in Macao later this month.