Theater Works Opens 30th Anniversary Season with THE JUNGLE BOOK Tonight

Theater Works 30th Season opens tonight, September 11 with the YouthWorks production of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, the story of Mowgli, an orphaned man-cub and his jungle adventures.

Based on the short stories by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book was adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette. AriZoni-nominated Jason Washburn will direct Theater Works' presentation at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts September 11-27, 2015.

The Jungle Book tells the story of Mowgli, an orphaned man-cub, who escapes the jaws of evil tiger, Shere Khan. A wolf couple discovers Mowgli and in order to protect him, raise him as one of their own - with the help of a gregarious bear, Baloo, and a pragmatic black panther named, Bagheera. "This story is the epitome of what we want to experience at Theater Works," says Education and Youth Programming Director Chris Hamby. "These timeless Jungle stories emphasize such noble qualities as: loyalty, honor, courage, tradition, integrity and persistence through the adaptation of a classic book. Through our Youth Works programming, we want to showcase meaningful and inspiring stories that enlighten imagination through education and learning."

The Jungle Book is the first in the 2015-16 Theater Works Youth Works season that showcases classic books that have been adapted for the stage. The Secret Garden is the next production taking place November 6 - 22 followed by Charlotte's Web which takes the stage from March 4 - 20. The Youth Works season concludes with an original production written by Hamby, Twilight's Quest.

Single tickets for The Jungle Book are now on sale. General admission tickets are just $15. The production takes place in the Gyder Theater of the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts (8355 West Peoria Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345). To purchase tickets or find out more about Theater Works and the Youth Works productions, contact the Box Office at (623) 815.7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.