Electronic Press Kit last updated: July 15, 2020

“Jungle Book is A MUST SEE, especially “CHARMING!...an imaginative blend of for multi-generational families where this living, breathing, onstage actors, stage- can open the door for dialogue on bullying, filling projections both still and animated, respect, temperance and so much more.” and shadow puppets operated by - Broadway World shadow people.” (June 2018 Florida review) - Creative Loafing

“JOYOUS! A new version of the familiar “EXCITING... I was taken on a wild story that should delight children and the adventure ride through an immersive adults lucky enough to join them.” technology and multimedia to the urban - Sarasota Herald-Tribune jungle of Mowgli’s childhood in the forests of India. I loved every minute of it” “Like stepping inside a beautifully - OnStage Blog illustrated children’s storybook. It’s a MAGICAL experience!” “BREATHTAKING... As co-creators/ - The Observer directors Rick Miller and Craig Francis showed with their immersive and “Jungle Book is a great place to introduce spectacular Twenty Thousand Leagues young people to the wonderful world Under the Sea, they are geniuses at of theatrical storytelling.” melding technology with raw art forms to - Talkin’ Broadway create a theatre of illusions and magic.” - Drew Rowsome Theatre Blog ​“The cast and crew bring a classic to life with modern-day techniques and takes.” “An Imaginative, Beautiful Production... - Sarasota Magazine age-appropriate, stunningly designed, and immensely fun.” “INCREDIBLE... Even the “Imagineers” - Broadway World at Disney could learn from this production (February 2020 Toronto review) — it is that good.” - Venice Gondolier Sun By Hallie Peilet June 7, 2018

“I think that’s always relatable, and that’s why ‘Jungle Book’ to world premiere at there’s so many stories about what it means to Asolo Rep go from being a kid to growing up,” Valayil said. “There’s loss there and there’s a gain, and that sto- Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” gets a fun and ry’s really important no matter what. I think all the “I’m in love with the show in this theater; I mean if kids that come are gonna appreciate that.” anyone doesn’t know how lucky they are to have a theater like Asolo Repertory in Sarasota they are lucky,” Co-Director & Co-Creator Craig Francis said.

He calls the Asolo a “jewel box theatre.”

“It’s also a very tall theater, and the multimedia and the immersive effects we’ve created for this show really fi ll it,” Francis said.

From puppets to shadow theater to sound design, the show takes the audience on an adventure.

“Make people feel like, for a moment at least, they’re in the jungle,” Francis said. “They’re some- where else.” Source: http://www.snntv.com/2018/06/07/jungle- book-world-premiere-asolo-rep/ Dozens of and human characters are all portrayed by just four actors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvMJ0SBYkVM Levin Valayil, who plays Mowgli, says he’s always dreamed of being on the Asolo stage.

“Now I’m here, and it’s pretty awesome to see it come to fruition,” Valayil said.

Miriam Fernandes plays Mowgli’s little sister, Maya.

The role of Maya was created specifi cally for this show.

“..because Jungle Book tends to be a very male story about Mowgli,” Fernandes said.

This version is different.

“You have Mowgli’s mother, who’s a single mother raising Maya and Mowgli, so I think it’s important to see women and keep hearing their voices on stage,” Fernandes said.

Valayil calls Mowgli’s role a “coming of age” story. By Jay Handelman, Arts Editor June 10, 2018

formers to create a wild but inviting jungle world. Theater Review: Inventive ‘Jungle Levin Valayil, who was seen in Sarasota in Florida Book’ charms kids and adults at Studio Theatre’s production of “The Fabulous Lipi- tones” is a charming Mowgli (the name means “lit- Asolo Rep tle frog”), kid-like and purposeful as the youngster grows up and tries to fi t in with his animal family Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book” gets a fun and and friends. His broad smile helps to engage even spirited modern makeover in the Asolo Repertory the most reluctant audience members to get in- Theatre’s world premiere of a new version of the volved in the show. At one point, we’re asked to familiar story that should delight children and the how like wolves and at another, audience clapping adults lucky enough to join them. can help to create rain on stage to stop a lightning fi r e . Asolo Rep commissioned this multimedia show with original music from Craig Francis and Rick The other three actors — Matt Lacas, Anita Maju- Miller, the Canadian theater and television team madar and Miriam Fernandes — play multiple hu- that brought their version of “20,000 Leagues Un- man and animal characters, either creating shad- der the Sea” to Sarasota last season. ow puppets or wearing furry costumes that are cute but not cloying. Lacas is stern as Mowgli’s Forget what you’ve seen in any Disney version. wolf father, ; playful as the slow-moving but This “Jungle Book” is an inventive and colorful tell- supportive bear, Baloo, and menacing as a human ing of the story of a young boy named Mowgli who hunter out to add to his trophy case. Majumdar is left behind in the jungles of India to be raised conveys warmth and concern as both Mowgli’s by the wolves and navigate the dangers posed by wolf and human mothers, and she’s sleek and ob- other who eye this human “man cub” with servant as the panther . In addition to great suspicion. Mowgli is fi rst seen as a disap- manipulating the movements of a large python pointed adult, an architect who realizes that he is who helps save Mowgli from trouble, Fernandes is contributing to the destruction of green spaces by delightful as his younger sister, Maya, who tells a designing suburban strip malls. He feels like an favorite childhood story with lots of dramatic fl air. outsider in the big city because he has lost his connection to nature. It’s a split reminiscent of The script is smart enough to appeal to adults his feelings in the jungle as a human in an animal while not talking down to kids. It includes some world. dark moments that are believable without being haunting. So he opens what his sister, Maya, came to call his “jungle book” of sketches, phrases and poems “Jungle Book” continues Asolo Rep’s recent sea- about his life in the wild, his adventures, misad- son-closing series of family friendly shows which ventures and lessons learned from his animal pro- have helped to alter our sense of what children’s tectors. And we join him through his story as the theater can or should be. This production, which pages come to life on screens and scrims through conveys a strong message about the environment, the imaginative projections by Irina Litvinenko, speaks to young audiences and the kid inside the which are set off by impactful lighting by Rebec- adults in equal and joyous measure. ca Picherback and a constantly surprising array of scenic, prop and costume design by Astrid Jan- son and Melanie McNeill. Source: http://www.heraldtribune.com/ There are only four actors visible on stage, but the entertainmentlife/20180610/theater-review-inventive- designs make the stage seem more crowded in jungle-book-charms-kids-and-adults-at-asolo-rep this fast-moving, 70-minute show, which features several songs with an Indian fl air by Suba San- karan. Shadow puppets mix with the human per- By Kay Kipling June 10, 2018

REVIEW: Asolo Rep Engages Besides the familiar characters of Baloo the sloth bear, Bagheera the panther, Kaa the python, and Audiences with a New Jungle Book those dangerous but sort of fun monkeys (Bandar- Log), in this version of the story, we meet Mowgli’s The cast and crew bring a classic to life with human family: his sister Maya (Miriam Fernandes) modern-day techniques and takes. and mother (Anita Majumdar). And there’s Rudyard Kipling’s children’s classic The Jungle also Buldeo (Matt Lacas), representing the worst Book has certainly proved fertile ground for of mankind as he wields a cruel elephant prod. adaptation over the years, whether it be for Disney movie megahits or onstage, as is the case with While I’m never sure that the contemporary the world premiere version of the story of the boy framework of the urban jungle of New York, Mowgli now playing at Asolo Rep. complete with Mowgli texting on his cell phone, is really necessary (I know, it’s supposed to help Brought to life by the same team (writers-directors today’s kids relate), the production overall does Craig Francis and Rick Miller) who conceived last year’s family-friendly season closer, Twenty succeed in translating Kipling’s original to a Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this Jungle more modern sensibility. Valayil is an engaging, Book employs some of the same techniques as appropriately physical Mowgli who interacts that earlier production. A small cast of four actors convincingly with the animals of his world (who are ranges across the stage in a number of roles, so in turn portrayed skillfully by Lacas, Majumdar and swiftly and smoothly that you sometimes can’t Fernandes, aided by props, costumes and shadow remember who’s playing what. A few original puppetry), as well as with his audience. And yes, songs (by Suba Sankaran) enhance the action. there is a message here, but one delivered in an And all of the production design elements—props, entertaining fashion that feels faithful to the spirit costumes and set by Astrid Janson and Melanie of the original. McNeill, lighting by Rebecca Picherack, and multimedia design by Irina Litvinenko—cohere to move the story along with color and atmosphere, without any pauses for set changes in the 70-minute, intermission-less show.

Like Leagues, with its embittered Captain Nemo, Jungle Book also offers a character who feels torn between the worlds of humanity and nature with Mowgli (Levin Valayil), who fi rst addresses the audience directly as the grown man and architect he’s become, in 21st-century New York. He doesn’t like the buildings he fi nds himself designing, and soon he’s taking us back with him to the jungles of India, where he grew up as a wolf-boy raised by a loving pair of wolf parents after nearly being killed by the fi erce Bengal tiger Shere Khan.

Of course, Khan, like other animals in the story, Source: https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/ including Hathi the elephant, has reasons for articles/2018/6/10/asolo-rep-engages-audiences-with- hating man, so murderous though he is, he’s not a-new-jungle-book completely without our sympathy. By Dr. Joseph Amato June 17, 2018

Theater Review: The Jungle Book to make it rain, as one of the various multimedia techniques that were used to tell the tale. SARASOTA — BRADENTON — The Asolo Repertory Theatre presented its fi nal production of the 2017- Craig Francis and Rick Miller have written 18 when it opened the world premiere of The a compelling script. Included are bits of Jungle Book on June 9. The piece is a re-imagined, International-Fusion musical elements written by family friendly stage adaptation of Nobel Prize- Suba Sankaran. There are many individual lines winner Rudyard Kipling’s beloved classic. from the book that give powerful messages. The one that stayed with me: “Death is part of the Law Well known to kids who have marveled at the of the Jungle, but not cruelty.” children’s picture book and the Disney version, this production engages in a parallel process for children and their parents. The Jungle Book is a morality play for adults, reminding them of our part in the animal kingdom. No element is dispensable without great peril. Children identify with the need to belong and the fact that ultimately, everyone does. Repeated throughout the piece is the warning to avoid the impulse and temptation to dominate.

The story is set in the urban jungle of New York City and then in a forest in India; and the area of Seonee, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The four actors played multiple roles, changing parts of their costumes to suggest the different animal characters. Levin Valayil plays the boy, or “man-cub,” Mowgli, who is raised in the jungle by wolves. Mowgli is the narrator of the play. Matt Lucas, Anita Majumdar and Miriam Fernandes play the other story book characters, Akela, Raksha and Shere Khan, respectively, among many others.

Fairytales help children manage their fears and teach lessons for life. One of the major themes in The Jungle Book is the fate of the abandoned Mowgli, fostered by the wolves. He is part of both worlds, searching for his rightful place in each. He is happily reunited with his human parents but has absorbed the lesson of the Jungle imparted to him. There are many individual lines from the book that tell powerful messages.

My 6-year-old neighbor, Savannah, who attended the opening, loved the show. Her favorite character was Mowgli, and she approves of the message of Source: http://thebradentontimes.com/theater-review- the piece to “not be greedy, to take care of all the animals and the environment.” She particularly the-jungle-book-p19935-133.htm liked the way the characters involved the audience By Marty Fugate June 11, 2018

REVIEW: Multimedia adaptation of ‘Jungle Book’ takes classic into the 21st century

The classic children’s tale gets a modern makeover in this world premiere production by Rick Miller and Craig Francis.

Craig Francis and Rick Miller co-wrote and co- directed this world-premiere production. They’re part of the same creative team that plunged audiences “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” last year. They’re equally inventive this year, without repeating any old tricks. Expect multilayered sensory immersion — a blend of live action, mime, dance, puppetry, animation, voiceover and projection. There’s an obvious ecological subtext. Or make Rudyard Kipling’s jungle fantasy has seen umpteen that text — period. From an adult perspective, the adaptations. You’ve probably seen a few, but show’s a tad didactic. But it’s designed for young you’ve never seen anything like this. minds. The show wears its message on its sleeve. Its creators want kids to get the point. Subtlety isn’t Kipling’s original novel tells the story of Mowgli, an their goal. But fun is also the goal. The message Indian child raised by wolves. Those wolves get never gets in the way of the fun, as it occasionally child-rearing assistance from Baloo (a bear) and did in last year’s production of “Twenty Thousand Bagheera (a black panther). Together, they teach Leagues.” Mowgli the “Law of the Jungle,” which is on a par with the Justinian Code. This year’s multimedia mind trip feels like a large- cast production. Surprisingly, there are only four Francis and Miller’s stage production is more actors. extrapolation than adaptation. They transplant Kipling’s sub-continental jungle to the 21st century, Levin Valayil is charismatic in the lead role of and follow Mowgli’s fate after he returns to human Mowgli. He’s got a big brain and a heart to match. civilization. The bright lad grows up to be an The character can’t contain his love of life. It architect and moves to New York City, where the spills out and fl oods the auditorium. His zeal is urban jungle plays with his mind. Loss of habitat, contagious by design. It’s all about pumping up climate change and cruelty to animals (elephants enthusiasm for animals and Planet Earth. That especially) are also on his mind. could feel forced and corny if done badly, but Valayil does it well. Mowgli’s contemporary story alternates with fl ashbacks to Kipling’s original adventures. The The other actors play multiple roles. Standouts storytellers also add two strong women to the include: Matt Lacas’ out-of-shape Baloo, (who mix: Mowgli’s human mother and sister. could be a slacker from a Seth Rogen movie if he wasn’t a bear); Miriam Fernandes’ predatory REVIEW: Multimedia adaptation of ‘Jungle Book’ takes classic into the 21st century (continued) puppetry as Shere Khan (the tiger) and Kaa (the python) and her lovable, in-the-fl esh portrayal of Maya, Mowgli’s human sister; and Anita Majumdar’s quiet wisdom as Bagheera, and Messua, Mowgli’s human mother — a puppet and a person, respectively.

The actors are backed up by Astrid Janson and Melanie McNeill’s fantastic costumes, props and scenic designs; Irina Litvinenko’s multimedia gumbo of front and rear projections, silhouettes and animations; Debashis Sinha’s sound tapestry; and Rebecca Picherack’s hypnotic lighting. Bottom line? It all adds up to a great show, one that reminds you what a great storyteller Kipling was. With “Jungle Book” feels like stepping inside a all of its technological wizardry, this intelligent beautifully illustrated children’s storybook. It’s a production’s still built on the strong foundation magical experience. The lesson is obvious. But it of Kipling’s original tales. Those tales could be never spoils the magic. terrifying. (“The Jungle Book” starts with a lost baby in the jungle. Shere Khan remains determined “Jungle Book” is a co-production of Kidoons, to eat that baby. Kaa actually does eat the naughty WYRD Productions and the 20K Collective. monkeys.)

But this reimagining strikes a nice balance Source: https://www.yourobserver.com/article/ between fear and fun. The puppets are stylized, multimedia-adaptation-of-jungle-book-takes-classic- with visible puppeteers. The performers dance into-the-21st-century around the violence. Literally. (I’m happy to report, this approach succeeds.

Kids in the audience get excited. But none run out screaming in terror.) The adapters also deftly integrate Kipling’s “If” and “How Fear Came,” the just-so story from “The Second Jungle Book.”

For all of its ecological editorializing, the show keeps faith with Kipling’s spirit. Its Save-the-Earth message never feels like a tacked-on bumper sticker. Kipling loved animals, after all. In his original novel, animals were people, too. (Although he seemed to have had a thing against monkeys.) Source: http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20180612/summer- program-gives-needy-sarasota-kids-education-in-nature Source: https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/wfl a/wfl a371.html Source: http://www.mysuncoast.com/entertainment/we-preview-jungle-book-from-asolo-repertory-theatre-suncoast- view/article_7282bc8c-6fef-11e8-b700-87a33ae723d8.html By Carolan Trbovich June 15, 2018

BWW Review: JUNGLE BOOK at most wise and civilized. There are a lot of deep lessons in this story, none too far beyond a child’s ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE comprehension or too understated for the adults in attendance. Asolo Repertory Theatre hits a home run bringing this re-imagined and inventive production to its Mr. Valayil is playful, boisterous and comfortable stage. The Canadian theater and television team in this role, sporting a razzle-dazzle smile that of Craig Francis and Rick Miller who staged their should win him a toothpaste commercial. He version of “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the connected well with all ages that attended this Sea” last year is the talent behind the re-telling of very creative world premiere. this classic children’s story. Miriam Fernandes, Matt Lacas, Anita Majumdar There have been many adaptations of Jungle Book held various animal and human roles throughout in fi lm and other media but do you remember the the production. One part of the story that was original Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling written in particularly fun for the children as well as the 1894? To refresh your memory, it is a collection of adults was when Mowgli’s sister Maya decided stories where most of the characters are animals to turn the tables on her mother’s rendition of such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear. fairy tales that she told her each night. Maya’s The principal character however is a human boy interpretation was overstated with great theatrical or “man-cub” named Mowgli, who is raised in the panache and brought a good laugh of approval jungle by wolves. from the audience.

The story is set in a forest in India and the theme Miss Fernandes was delightful as the sweet and throughout the story focuses on abandonment loving sister. Mr. Lacas played Baloo with a lovable followed by fostering, as in the life of Mowgli who silliness that was charming and Miss Majumdar was displaced from his human family but found brought a gentle yet powerful persona to Mowgli’s comfort in being fostered by wolves that accepted human mother. him as one of their own. Supposedly this refl ects Kipling’s own childhood having been separated Creative lighting design by Rebecca Picherack, from his parents at an early age, bullied by other versatile scenic, prop and costumes by Astrid children and raised by people with little regard for Janson and Melanie McNeill, and beautifully a nurturing environment. If you have read the story effective projections by Irina Litvinenko set the of this interesting Englishman’s life you will quickly depth, mood and tone for each scenario. understand why he writes the way he does and expresses such things from his own experiences, This family-oriented production is a lesson in triumphs and tragedies. respect for authority, obedience, and knowing one’s place in the world regarding “the law of the Mowgli (Levin Valayil) begins the story by jungle”. Kipling’s story illustrates the freedom to narrating us through, what his sister Maya (Miriam move between different worlds, such as when Fernandes) calls, his “jungle book”, a personal Mowgli moves between the jungle and the village anthology of writings and animal sketches about in which he was born. It also sadly refl ects the his life’s journey from being raised by wolves in irresponsible side of human nature. It was a lesson the jungle, then returning to civilization and his for yesterday and is just as relevant and maybe human family. As he speaks to the audience and even more so today. Jungle Book is a must see, moves into the scenes he is recollecting, clever especially for multi-generational families where projections utilizing a combination of stage scrims this can open the door for dialogue on bullying, and screens bring us with him to various places respect, temperance and so much more. in the jungle and the village where he was born. He tells of the interactions and struggle to survive Source: https://www.broadwayworld.com/sarasota/ between animals in the wild and how mankind can article/BWW-Review-JUNGLE-BOOK-at-ASOLO- be so cruel at times, yet they are said to be the REPERTORY-THEATRE-20180615 Source: https://www.nytimes. com/2020/01/09/arts/nyc-this- weekend-childrens-events.html By Isabella Perrone February 17, 2020

BWW Review: JUNGLE BOOK Maya; however, James’s characters are a huge part of the story’s heart, and she carries each Heeds the Call of the Wild in an powerfully. As Mowgli’s mother, she is equal parts heroic and heartbreaking, and as the wise panther Imaginative, Beautiful Production Bagheera she balances out the sillier Baloo with stoic grace. It’s time to escape Toronto’s urban jungle for a real one, and this journey is one for the entire family to What really sells this production are the multimedia take together. (multimedia design by Irina Litvinenko), costumes, and puppet (both, plus sets and props, designed by Rudyard Kipling’s classic works are adapted and Astrid Janson and Melanie McNeill) components. directed by Craig Francis and Rick Miller in this With simple adjustments and additions to the modern, multimedia take on a beloved story of ensembles’ simple black jumpsuits, the actors the connection between humanity and nature. shift into glowing-eyed wolves, sloth bears, Produced by Kidoons, WYRD Productions and The monkeys, and anything else that might call the 20K Collective and presented by Young People’s jungle home. The decision to restrict certain Theatre, JUNGLE BOOK takes the story of Mowgli characters to puppets was wise, and worked well and his animal friends and refreshes it for kids with the limitations of the stage; Shere Khan’s today; in this version, Mowgli (Levin Valayil) is silhouette is strikingly terrifying whenever he a 25-year old architect living in the urban jungle crosses the large screen, and the size and power of New York City and struggling to reconcile the of creatures like the elephants or the python Kaa harsh nature of urban architecture with his roots (Vejdani) are easy to understand when they’ve in nature. His crisis halts when his sister sends been enlarged through shadows and screens. him the ‘Jungle Book’ that he used to document his childhood adventures with the wolves who In some cases, too many digital elements can raised him, Baloo the bear (Matt Lacas), Bagheera distract or detract from a staged production, but the panther (Mina James), and more. in JUNGLE BOOK the additions only strengthen a story that seeks to discuss - and succeeds in From here, JUNGLE BOOK rewinds to the doing so - diffi cult topics like hierarchies, fi nding a moment when Mowgli, depicted as an infant place to belong, environmentalism and humanity’s with a surprisingly emotive puppet (controlled ongoing destruction of nature. These are all things by Valayil), fi rst totters into the den of a pack of that affect children today, whether they’re fully wolves. He’s quickly taken in by the pack’s leaders conscious of them or not, and it’s great to know Akela (Lacas) and Raksha (James), and from that they can begin to explore these topics in a there the audience watches him grow and learn way that’s age-appropriate, stunningly designed, through adventures both fun and frightening. and immensely fun. Mowgli’s main adversary throughout the story is Shere Khan (Tahirih Vejdani), the vicious tiger who claims it is in his right to kill Mowgli, and who is a looming spectre - quite literally, as he’s a shadow https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/BWW- puppet - throughout the boy’s life. Review-JUNGLE-BOOK-Heeds-the-Call-of-the-Wild-in-an- For a story with such dark content, this production Imaginative-Beautiful-Production-20200217 does a phenomenal job of adjusting its scarier parts for its intended younger audience. Valayil is a strong lead, playing Mowgli with a bratty, rebellious attitude that subtly grows into maturity and self-awareness. The remainder of the cast doubles down to bring at least three characters to life each. Lacas shines as the fun-loving teacher Baloo, and Vejdani is wonderfully endearing as By Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic February 15, 2020

Toronto Review: An eye popping Mowgli (Levin Valayil) is an architect is exquisite. The multimedia designs colourfully and cleverly ‘Jungle Book’ roars enthusiastically place us in the richness verdant jungle where at Young People’s Theatre such characters as Shere Khan, Bagheera and Kaa inhabit and roam. What is also remarkably dazzling I’m hoping I’m not that old in pointing out how we’ve to watch are the use of puppets co-designed by all watched the dancing, singing and cuteness Astrid Janson and Melanie McNeill. I’ve always version of Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’. Whenever been fascinated with puppetry as part of theatre, I’ve seen the fi lm advertised on television, it’s and the extraordinary creations of these two always Baloo’s memorable ditty to Mowgli, “Look women is astounding. Make sure you pay careful for the Bare Necessities”. There’s nothing wrong attention to Tahirih Vejani as Kaa, the snake. With with this adaptation as it introduces Rudyard the puppet, she slithers in front of the audience Kipling’s stories of Mowgli, the wolf boy, to new with the elongated ‘s’ sound sinisterly sibilating audiences. However, don’t allow Disney to be the in her voice as the puppet slithers in front of the only experience you have of this story. audience at one point. Under a guiding vision of dignity for life in co- An exciting, colourful and eye-catching production direction by Messrs. Francis and Miller, this ‘Jungle of ‘Jungle Book’ from creators Craig Francis and Book’ gently balances the theme of Respect in Rick Miller opened at Young People’s Theatre with exploration of the consequences of colonialism theatrical fl air and musical excitement right from and continuing human domination of the animal the top of the show. According to the release, this world. The four principal ensemble players merrily production is part of a North American tour after bring to life (through songs by composer Suba a recent appearance in New York. Four rousing Sankaran and clever lyrics by Kipling/Miller and actors entered grandly from the house and Francis) several of the famous characters whom moved their way down to the stage in a fanfare of we have come to know. Levin Valayil is a charming audience participation that even the adults around and affable adult and architect Mowgli who leaps me clapped along in fun fi lled unison with the kids. and moves around the stage with gusto. And can And I was taken on a wild adventure ride through he ever sing and hold a musical note. I especially an immersive technology and multimedia to the liked Mr. Valayil’s work in the adorable young urban jungle of Mowgli’s childhood in the forests boy puppet of Mowgli. I heard some audience of India. I loved every minute of it and am pleased members around me along with some children it’s playing here for just over a month. For me, this utter and affectionate, “Aaaahhhh”. Matt Lacas touring production was magical as it took me back becomes a comfortable, genial teddy bear as fondly to my childhood when I fi rst read Rudyard Baloo, the sloth bear. His relationship with the Kipling’s tale. young Mowgli in teaching him to become more than just a wolf boy is sweet. As the panther, The set design consisted of three see through Bagheera, who is out to protect the young Mowgli, scrims. Behind the scrims, there is a large Mina James is solid in her work as she contorts rectangular raised platform with a large white her body to an animalistic pose in the puppetry hanging screen which I’m assuming will be to costume she dons. view projections throughout the show. Rebecca Picherack’s lighting design was fascinating at the FINAL COMMENTS: There is rapturous joy in this top of the show as the swirl of red and green was ‘Jungle Book’. It’s a defi nite go to and must see for intriguing to watch. The refl ection through the the family. It’s here for Family Day and the March scrim made it appear as if water was nearby. Break, perfect for day or evening shows. Irina Litvinenko’s multimedia designs are exquisite to the eyes. Ms. Litvinenko’s work in capturing the Source: https://www.onstageblog.com/reviews/2020/2/15/ fast-paced world of New York City where the adult toronto-review-an-eye-popping-jungle-book-roars- enthusiastically-at-young-peoples-theatre “JOYOUS! A new version of the familiar “Jungle Book is a great place to story that should delight children and the introduce young people to the wonderful adults lucky enough to join them.” world of theatrical storytelling.” - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Talkin’ Broadway

“Like stepping inside a beautifully “The production employs a rich illustrated children’s storybook. soundscape, immersive multimedia, It’s a MAGICAL experience!” inventive puppetry and a variety of - The Observer new and traditional theatrical traditions to transport audiences to “Jungle Book is A MUST SEE, especially the world’s jungles.” for multi-generational families where - Pasadena Weekly this can open the door for dialogue on bullying, respect, temperance “The cast and crew bring a classic to life and so much more.” with modern-day techniques and takes.” - Broadway World - Sarasota Magazine “CHARMING!...an imaginative blend of living, breathing, onstage actors, stage-fi lling projections both still and animated, and shadow puppets operated by shadow people.” - Creative Loafi ng

“EXCITING... I was taken on a wild adventure ride through an immersive technology and multimedia to the urban jungle of Mowgli’s childhood in the forests of India. I loved every minute of it” - OnStage Blog

“INCREDIBLE... Even the “Imagineers” at Disney could learn from this production — it is that good.” - Venice Gondolier Sun

“MAGICAL! The children in the audience on opening night showed their appreciation with laughs, rapt attention, and lots of applause.” - ColoradoBoulevard.net JungleBook.ca

JUNGLE BOOK Written & Directed by Craig Francis & Rick Miller Adapted from the works of Rudyard Kipling Produced by Kidoons and WYRD Productions in association with The 20K Collective @kidoons @kidoons @junglebookshow