Huntington Theatre Extends THE JUNGLE BOOK Through 10/20

Due to popular demand, the Huntington Theatre Company again extends the run of its world premiere adaptation of The Jungle Book - the final performance will now be Sunday, October 20. The "inventive and visually stunning" (Entertainment Weekly) production officially opens tonight, Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm at the Huntington's mainstage, the Boston University Theatre.

Tickets to all performances are now available online at huntingtontheatre.org. Beginning at noon, tickets will be available by phone at 617 266 0800 and in person at the BU Theatre (Avenue of the Arts / 264 Huntington Avenue) and the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA (South End / 527 Tremont Street) box offices. Group tickets at up to 20% off are available at 617 273 1525. The most affordable way to see The Jungle Book is with a subscription. Seven-play packages including The Jungle Book are the best value and start at $126. More information is available by phone at 617 266 0800 and online athuntingtontheatre.org/subscribe.

Tickets to The Jungle Book start at $25, with prices ranging to $135 (subject to change). Selected discounts are available. Check huntingtontheatre.org/junglebookfor performances with the best availability.

Wholly reimagined for the stage by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Candide), this new production is based on Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling's 1893 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and Walt Disney's 1967 animated film. Zimmerman's adaptation is a music- and movement-filled adventure of young Mowgli's coming-of-age in the animal kingdom featuring the movie's best-loved songs in wholly new Indian-inspired arrangements. Legendary Academy Award and Grammy winner Richard M. Sherman - whose numerous songwriting credits with brother Robert B. Sherman include the motion pictures The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The AristoCats - collaborated on this production, providing Music Director Doug Peck access and permission to adapt songs that Sherman and his brother wrote for the film, plus never-before-heard material. Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli with Indian dance consultant Hema Rajagopalan combine elements of classical Indian dance forms with jazz, tap, and more to enhance the storytelling.

The Jungle Book has been critically hailed as "entirely fresh, ever-surprising, and winningly whimsical" (Chicago Sun-Times), "sophisticated, sensual, and gorgeous" (Chicago Tribune), and "breathlessly entertaining" (Daily Herald). The New York Times praises, "The flora and fauna of India shimmer with eye-filling allure in the inventive new stage adaptation."

The Jungle Book is produced by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, which proudly supports Zimmerman's development of this title, providing financial support, creative consultation and access to song material, and in association with Chicago's Goodman Theatre.

Photo: Liz Lauren