Disney's JUNGLE BOOK Broadway Engagement??- Page 4

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 12:42pm

This was nice. Not sure why the host didn't know "Bare Necessities" wasn't his song though. I'm so excited to hear more about this show! Where are all the Chicago peeps?
Legendary Disney composer Richard Sherman

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 2:44pm

Oh, I'll be seeing it, but it doesn't start performances until June 21. Not sure I want to go so early in previews unless I get rush tickets.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 3:02pm

Great! Can't wait to hear about it.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 4:49pm

The Jungle Book performs at Goodman Theatre starting June 21. For tickets or more information visit GoodmanTheatre.org

A Special Offer for Natya Dance Theatre
Get $10 off select mezzanine tickets to The Jungle Book at Goodman Theatre
The Jungle Book
Book and direction by Mary Zimmerman

Get $10 off all B Seat tickets*. Hurry, limited availability for select performances!
Click here and use promo code NATYA to receive the discount.

*Not available through the Goodman’s mobile site, on previously purchased tickets or in combination with other offers. Expires 8/5/13.


EMMY Award Winning Choreographer Hema Rajagopalan Reflects on Mary Zimmerman’s Production of The Jungle Book

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 5:02pm

"Zimmerman’s MO—defined by simple props and stage pictures that rely on the subtleties of lighting and gesture—is the antithesis of the knock-your-socks-off spectacle that propels many musicals. “It’s not in me to bring on a new set every three minutes,” she says. “Think about how children create in the backyard.... ‘Here’s two bowling pins, and I’m going to stick them in my belt, and they are my rockets.’ That’s the aesthetic I’m sticking to. And children understand it. They understand ‘pretend’ extremely well.”"
Argh can't wait for costume pictures! Wish I had good images of the sets!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 5:49pm

I imagine they're already planning an extension. June performances are almost completely sold out and July is filling quickly.

[jackieoh]

Posted: 6/10/13 at 7:56pm

I'm considering a quick trip to Chicago this summer to see this. I hope we see photos of the sets soon!

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 10:36am

I have to say that the only renderings I saw of the costumes were very odd looking but I really like how they've translated! This looks like Shere Kahn to me!!!

They also have a video of another performer dancing in it! https://vine.co/v/hB5EFT2vzwb

'The Jungle Book' at Goodman Theatre: When Mary met Walt (and Rudyard) Updated On: 6/17/13 at 10:36 AM

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 12:29pm

"The production will feature the songs in the movie (including Terry Gilkyson's "The Bare Necessities") as well as two or three songs originally written for "The Jungle Book 2," a straight-to-DVD sequel, and one (with rewritten lyrics) that was composed for, but cut from, "The Aristocats," another Disney movie with a Sherman brothers score, made shortly after "The Jungle Book." Throughout the score, the songs (both familiar and otherwise) will be fused with Indian musical forms."



Hmmm, well there isn't much reference to the deleted Gilkyson songs. I really hope Mowgli's song is added in at least. They also don't mention Small World... Hopefully some deets by Friday from our Chicago friends!!
I wonder if it's this cut Aristocats song. It's a nice finale...

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:07pm

It could be the first song from this: http://castalbums.org/recordings/The-Lost-Chords-The-Aristocats-2012-Demo/26015

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:20pm

I feel like this can only end badly. Jungle Book doesn't have the source material to be good enough for Broadway. Even if it did come to Broadway it would only be compared to the Lion King. There is maybe 2 good songs in the jungle book and the rest is just speaking. I highly doubt this will get anywhere near Broadway anytime soon. In the meantime i know of a certain Hunchback who has been waiting to ring his bells on broadway for 7 years now! Disney should be working on getting an actual musical on Broadway instead of wasting time with this.

Updated On: 6/17/13 at 02:20 PM

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:26pm

There are three wonderful songs in Jungle Book, at least. Not that many fewer than The Lion King had.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:32pm

Yes but The Lion King had way more going for it than Jungle Book. The jungle book songs are more "tunes" than anything. The Lion king score is on a whole other level. You can't compare the epicness of "Circle of life" to something like "bare necessities".

Plus Lion King is written more like a Theare piece than Jungle book is. Im not saying it can't be done but I just think Disney should focus on the actual musicals (Aladdin, Hunchback) before trying to create something from scratch.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:37pm

It's true that the original Disney movies' songs, including Jungle Book, were not as epic as "Circle of Life" or "Under the Sea" and the like. To me, "I Wanna Be Like You" is a good match for "Just Can't Wait to be King".

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 2:44pm

"I Wanna Be Like You" is a good match for "Just Can't Wait to be King".

Yes i agree. So is "Hakuna Matata" with "Bear necessities". I just think Jungle Book would just be compared to Lion King in every way and that could hurt it cause there is no way Jungle Book would make as big as a splash as The Lion King did.

I could see Jungle Book being done for community theatres and stuff like that but But the jungle book team is fighting an up hill battle especially with ALADDIN coming.

I also can't see jungle book having the Disney Magic that Lion king,BATB,Poppins and TLM had. Its not a big enough story to tell to broadway audiences.

Updated On: 6/17/13 at 02:44 PM

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 3:03pm

I agree a Broadway mounting of this seems weird because of Lion King and Aladdin.

That said, from the work I've seen done, this show is as "arty" as the Lion King (sans the spectacle) with the tone of Peter and the Star Catcher.

Who knows how this will play, but it is fresh and different just like the Lion King was. Aladdin is what one would expect. Hunchback is great for us theatre queens, but Disney knows and we know that show is out there.

[broadway guy]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 3:06pm

How are they doing the animals? Is it going to be like Lion king or is it something no one has ever done before?

[finebydesign]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:10pm

Most of the animals are just like the costume shown. There are no masks, just HIGHLY stylized Indian-influenced garments that evoke the animal they are. For instance the monkies have tails.

I saw an early rendering of Baloo and he was wearing essentially a bear onesie. But now I think (unless it's Bagheera) Baloo wears pattern outfit with a transparent hoopskirt connected with suspenders and like Shere Kahn, a turban with "ears" on top. He also has a pair of trousers with the same transparent pants.

There are butterfly/insect creatures "bugs" that have more embellishments, wings etc. The only thing "real" in the world Mowgli exists is himself. Everything else is very stylized. The set is not realistic in anyway.

There is a large Snake set piece but I'm not sure how that works with the snake. The casting call mentioned "Puppetry experience is a plus" . So maybe he controls the set piece? I'm not sure but the Snake I saw is a flat illustration of a snake that comes down from the wings. It looks just like the sets.

The Elephants are very large set pieces and they're really beautiful illustrations. I'm not sure how they are being "acted out" out or costumed. The set elephants are adorned with jewels and trimmings like typical captive elephants in India. I'm not sure if these set pieces move or what.

"Is it going to be like Lion king or is it something no one has ever done before?"

It def has been done before. It's like Lion King in the sense that Zimmerman is using Indian fabrics/materials and silhouettes from the area as well as the animal accents. Again, I haven't seen any mask work.

The Lion King comparisons are inevitable, heck this would not have happened if it didn't happen. I don't see the extensive use of masks and puppetry here. The band is on-stage sometimes so they have costumes as well.

The set is just beautiful, the costumes...jury's still out for me. I think the Shere Kahn costume is really nice, it's almost Scar without the mask.



Hmm, I just noticed the Mowgli casting, I know that little boy who plays Mowgli can sing but maybe he isn't singing in this show. Awe, I wanted to hear his deleted song.

"Male, South Asian or other ethnicity, should seem 10-12 years old. No specific vocal range. Small, spunky, independent, stubborn, unafraid, thinks he can manage when he really can't. A live wire, sparkly, charming. Singers and non-singers welcome."


Casting Notice Updated On: 6/17/13 at 04:10 PM

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 6:41pm

I'm sure Disney won't let a TARZAN happen again. MULAN never made it to Broadway, remember. This may not make it.

[Playbilly]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 6:42pm

I'm sure Disney won't let a TARZAN happen again. MULAN never made it to Broadway, remember. This may not make it.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:24pm

^ Mulan? When did that happen?

[John Adams]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 7:44pm

The Jungle Book has the potential to stand out *because* it's completely different from The Lion King. It need not be as "big and shiny", with as full a score, although there is additional material included that the Sherman brothers wrote for a sequel.

Look at photos of the 13 piece orchestra:

This is going to be something unique. Updated On: 6/17/13 at 07:44 PM

[jon5202]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 9:40pm

Another photo of costumes:



Show opens June 21. I am seeing it June 23 evg performance. Will report back.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 11:18pm

That said, from the work I've seen done, this show is as "arty" as the Lion King (sans the spectacle) with the tone of Peter and the Star Catcher.

That sounds like something I would absolutely hate... Doesn't sound like my type of show.

[jackieoh]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 11:53pm

This project is easy for us to scrutinize in parts, but it's going to have to be examined holistically to fully realize the vision of the piece. I am looking forward to reading reviews when this opens. I am thrilled to see what Zimmerman is bringing us.