Craig Francis News

A dazzlingly original stage adaptation of the works of Rudyard Kipling, classic stories are reimagined through modern eyes bringing beloved characters to life. Immersive video, shadow-play, and original music will transport you from the urban jungle to Mowgli’s childhood in the jungles of India.

Jungle Book - A joyous must see!

Get a first look at the original stage adaptation of Jungle Book, presented by Brampton on Stage at The Rose for one show only! This dazzling production by Kidoons and WYRD, in association with The 20K Collective, reimagines Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories through a modern lens. Check out the video!

TheaterWorksUSA will present an invite-only Industry presentation of the new musical BLOCKED, A New Musical with a book by Sinead Daly and music and lyrics by Ben Wexler on June 8 & 9, 2023.

Kidoons and WYRD Productions in association with Crow's Theatre, Theatre Calgary, and The 20K Collective are thrilled to present the Toronto premiere of Rick Miller's BOOM X, The Music, Culture and Politics of Generation X, at Crow's Theatre, May 10-28, 2023.

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts launches their 2022-2023 Theatre season featuring four hot new shows that promise to take audiences through a full range of emotions and supports regrowth of the local theatre community by highlighting the very best that Montreal has to offer. 

Theatre Calgary is getting ready to welcome Rick Miller back to wow our audiences as he brings the world premiere of his one-man show BOOM YZ to the Max Bell stage.

It's time to escape Toronto's urban jungle for a real one, and this journey is one for the entire family to take together. Rudyard Kipling's classic works are adapted and directed by Craig Francis and Rick Miller in this modern, multimedia take on a beloved story of the connection between humanity and nature. Produced by Kidoons, WYRD Productions and The 20K Collective and presented by Young People's Theatre, JUNGLE BOOK takes the story of Mowgli and his animal friends and refreshes it for kids today; in this version, Mowgli (Levin Valayil) is a 25-year old architect living in the urban jungle of New York City and struggling to reconcile the harsh nature of urban architecture with his roots in nature. His crisis halts when his sister sends him the 'Jungle Book' that he used to document his childhood adventures with the wolves who raised him, Baloo the bear (Matt Lacas), Bagheera the panther (Mina James), and more.

YPT will introduce young audiences to a wild, multi-media adaptation of Jungle Book, from creators Craig Francis and Rick Miller (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea), based on Rudyard Kipling's beloved classic. Inventive and timely, Jungle Book will transport you from the urban jungle to Mowgli's childhood in the forests of India for this extended engagement on YPT's Mainstage from February 13 to March 21.

The NYC premiere of 'BOOM,' is now thrilling audiences at 59E59 Theaters. This multi-media, musical and theatrical event is written, directed, and performed by the Dora and Gemini award-winner, Rick Miller.

From the creators of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea comes a theatrical adaptation of the works of Rudyard Kipling. The classic Mowgli stories have been re-imagined through modern eyes, with immersive multimedia, shadow-play, and original music, Jungle Book hits the Main Hall stage at Music Hall, Sunday, January 12th at  6PM

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director), welcomes the NYC premiere of BOOM, written, directed, and performed by Rick Miller. Produced by Kidoons and WYRD Productions, BOOM begins performances on Thursday, January 9 for a limited engagement through Sunday, February 23. Press Opening is Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00 pm. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 pm; Saturday at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm; Sunday at 2:00 pm. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison). Single tickets are $25 - $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). Tickets are available by calling the 59E59 Box Office at 646-892-7999 or by visiting www.59e59.org.

Young People's Theatre is thrilled to showcase world-renowned artists throughout its 2019.20 Season, including Canada's internationally-acclaimed Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, New York's Arktype, the creative team of Where the Wild Things Are, as well as direction by Sheila McCarthy, Philip Akin, Craig Francis and Rick Miller. Year-long celebrations will mark the 50th Anniversary of YPT's Drama School, whose alumni include Drake, Kiefer Sutherland and Giacomo Gianniotti.

Artistic Director Allen MacInnis and Executive Director Nancy J. Webster are thrilled to reveal the 2019/20 playbill at Young People's Theatre (YPT). The new season will feature eight outstanding shows on two stages, including two world premieres, one Canadian premiere, and the return of two audience favourites!

Rick begins his solo performance breaking the fourth wall as he lets the audience know that they are about to see him perform one hundred different characters in just over two hours.

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts is proud to welcome back Rick Miller for the Montreal premiere of BOOM X, a Kidoons and WYRD in association with Theatre Calgary and The 20K Collective production. BOOM X is the second installment in Miller's trilogy of shows designed to tell a big-picture story: 75 years of history in this corner of our planet. While BOOM explored the Baby Boomer era, this sequel tells the story of Generation X: the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. Just in time for Valentine's Day, BOOM X rocks the Sylvan Adams Theatre at the Segal Centre from February 14 to March 10, 2019.

In this episode of West of Broadway Will and Lara are at the Pantages theater celebrating the opening night of the ON YOUR FEET! National Tour. Will and Lara meet in the lobby of the Pantages Theater for a 'Lobby Talk' about this exciting and groundbreaking production. ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent-and each other-to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, presents a new family-friendly production of Jungle Book.  Adapted from the works of Rudyard Kipling, this version is written and directed by Craig Francis and Rick Miller and is performed Today, July 17 through Sunday, July 29 (press opening July 18). 

Asolo Repertory Theatre hits a home run bringing this re-imagined and inventive production to its stage. The Canadian theater and television team of Craig Francis and Rick Miller who staged their version of 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' last year is the talent behind the re-telling of this classic children's story.

Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced four new mainstage productions for 2018-2019.