SCR Junior Players Presents 'The Jungle Book'

Fans of the Rudyard Kipling classic The Jungle Book have the opportunity to revisit all the animal characters-and one human boy-when South Coast Repertory's Junior Players present Monica Flory's stage adaptation of the Kipling stories in the Nicholas Studio March 29-30 and April 5-6.

The Junior Players (grades 5-8) are one of two young ensemble groups comprised of students who have been chosen through audition after at least two years in SCR's Theatre Conservatory.  They attend classes twice weekly during the school year with additional rehearsal time prior to their annual performance.  (The Teen Players {grades 9-12} will present Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses May 24-25 and May 30-June 1.)

"The Jungle Book tells the story of an abandoned boy, discovered in the woods by a family of wolves.  A lazy but wise bear and a sleek, intelligent panther teach him the ways of the jungle, and soon the boy, named Mowgli by his new friends, is allowed to run with the pack.  His adventures include capture by a gang of mindless monkeys and escape from a man-eating tiger.  Mowgli learns how to speak the animal languages and even plays tricks on his friends.  But soon he comes to understand the qualities which separate him from the animals and must chose between a life with them or with the humans," describe press notes.

The Junior Players are: Mason Acevedo (Mowgli), Brenna Barker (Bagheera), Alana Canann (Mother Wolf), Caitlin Cohn (Tabaqui), Sydney Lester (Kite), Allie Mgrublian (Wolf 1, Messua and Kite), Jasmine O'Hea (Wolf Cub, Wolf 2 and Kaa), Matthew Pancoe (Shere Kahn), Alex Paul (Trout and Kite), Karoline Ribak (Cheeky and Kite), Alyse Russell (Akela), ElisaBeth Smith (Wolf Club, Funky and Kite), Michael Stern (Father Wolf) and Hannah Sullivan (Baloo).

 The Jungle Book, adapted by Monica Flory, based on the stories by Rudyard Kipling is directed by Joe Alanas; featuring sets by Angela Calin, costumes by Ashley Rhodes, lighting by Jeff Brewer, stage manager Leia Crawford

Performances are March 29 & 30, and April 5 & 6 at 1PM & 4PM. TICKETS:  $8.50 (may be purchased through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 or online at www.scr.org).  Box office:  10am to showtime Tuesdays through Saturdays; noon to showtime Sundays; 10am to 6pm Mondays and non-performance days.  American Express, VISA and MasterCard accepted.  (714) 708-5555.

Folino Theatre Center, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa CA 92626.  One block east of South Coast Plaza at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway.

(l. to r.) Matt Pancoe as Shere Kahn, Mason Acevedo as Mowgli and Alana Canann as the Mother Wolf in South Coast Repertory's Junior Players production of The Jungle Book.  Photo: Courtesy of South Coast Repertory.