On January 1st, 1894, Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book was published. To this day, children and adults alike still cherish this wonderful book.
To celebrate 120 years of the tales of Mowgli that you most likely grew up with, why not come see Blue Springs City Theatre's production of The Jungle Book?
ABOUT THE SHOW
Adapted by Monica Flory, this epic version of The Jungle Book is sure to delight fans. Directer Michelle Brown, who has been involved in theatre since she was eight, explains, "This play caught my attention because of the rich language, the familiar characters, and the wonderful story. It is much closer to Rudyard Kipling's story. When I read it, it was one of those plays that just came alive in my head…I'm so happy to have a cast that is making the story real!"
Eleven-year-old C.J. Miller plays the main character, Mowgli. Miller is a seasoned actor who has performed in ten shows, recently portraying Kurt von Trapp in The Sound of Music. When asked about the character he plays, Miller replies: "[Mowgli is] a kid [who] tries to fit in with the wolf pack. He's kind of wild, and curious about everything. He gets along with most animals really well. I get to do a lot of things with his character; he's like two different people--a human and a wolf."
The cast and crew have worked very hard to make this story come alive. "Michelle Brown is a fun director to work with," Miller enthuses. "She likes to do some of the craziest things with some of the characters…. It's a very fun show to watch and the sets and costumes are very creative. The characters aren't just covered in fur--they're able to express themselves in their parts."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The performances are March 7th, 8th, and 14th at 7:30 pm; March 9th and 16th at 2:00 pm; and March 15th at both 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $10 per person; $8 for seniors 65+ or children under 13.
See BSCT’s website for tickets and additional information: http://www.bluespringscitytheatre.com.
Tip From BSCT: "This week (Mar 14-16) we have a very special 2:00 Saturday afternoon performance of "The Jungle Book" (in addition to our usual Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday matinee shows). That will be our Scout Saturday Show, with all scouts (Boy, Girl, Webelos, Cub, Brownie, etc.) getting tickets for $5 at the door.
AND ... we'll also have a visit from the WEE Learning Bus from 1:00-2:00 on Saturday. Bring the kids, come early to check out the WEE Bus and then see a great show at a great price! http://www.bluesprings-schools.net/gen/blue_springs_generated_pages/W.E.E._Learning_Bus_m8840.html "
CONCLUSION
You might think that this production would only grab children's attention, but it is actually a very enjoyable play with an important life lesson for everyone, especially teenagers. Brown elaborates: "This play is a classic coming of age story, where Mowgli is trying to find his place in the world…. As Mowgli meets his 'human' mother and finds what makes him unique, we really see a boy who finds his place in the world."
As older children soon to be entering the adult world, we should keep in mind the theme of this thrilling tale.