The story of The Jungle Book begins deep in the heart of the jungle where a baby boy, lost and abandoned, is raised by wolves.
The boy is called Mowgli. The tiger, Shere Kahn wants the boy-child out of the jungle. That is when Bagheera the panther befriends Mowgli. Bagheera leads the boy through the jungle and the pair encounters an assortment of animals on their journey.
The story line in Disney’s musical version of The Jungle Book follows the same story line, which is the next production from The Tyrone Community Players. What is different about the TCP show is that more than 50 area children bring the various characters to life! The show will be performed at the Tyrone Area Senior High School auditorium Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are all general admission and can be purchased in advance by calling 684-ART2 or at the door the night of the show.
Working with such a huge cast of children is a daunting undertaking.
“This is the best group of kids I have ever worked with,” commented Stage Manager Nancy Sloss. “They juggle dance rehearsal, baseball, and school extra-curricular schedules to be at practice. They are very conscientious about learning songs, choreography and their lines. And, so well-behaved at rehearsals – and the kids are so smart!” Sloss continued.
The show features such happy songs as “The Bare Necessities” and “That’s What Friends Are For,” along with children from through the Tyrone region, as well as Altoona, Hollidaysburg, State College, Warriors Mark and Philipsburg. The ‘senior’ cast member is 15-year old R.J. Beck. The Tyrone teenager plays Baloo, the bear, who is an easygoing and fun-loving character that sings “Bare Necessities” and travels through the jungle with Mowgli. It is also Baloo who tells Mowgli not to take anything from nature but the truly necessary to survive.
Eleven-year old Eli Wood of Hollidaysburg plays Mowgli. Eli was last seen in the TCP production of “A Christmas Caroled.” Eli and RJ both have extensive and impressive stage credits – both from school and local theatre companies.
The evil tiger Shere Khan is played by nine-year old Tobin Mills of Altoona. The character Shere Khan is aggressive and arrogant and regards himself as the rightful lord of the jungle. One of Shere Khan’s archrivals is Bagheera, the leopard, played by 11-year old Kathleen Beck of Tyrone. Bagheera is one of Mowgli\\\’s mentors and one of his protectors through the jungle.
“We have quite a few siblings in the show,” Sloss said. “I can think of at least seven sets of family members, which is nice for us and for the parents who are traveling so many places for practices, rehearsals, and commitments.”
Many TCP veterans are working together to produce this show. Director Karen Mayhew and Music Director Paula Pheasant have countless products under the respective belts. Costumes are being created by Sue O’Brien and Cindy Bennett, who each just finished TCP productions as well as Altoona Community Theatre shows.
“We may have many adults helping with the show, but it really is the kids’ show. They are doing so much work without complaining or whining, which is more than I say about us adults!”
Corporate hosts for Disney’s Jungle Book are Albemarle Corporation, American Eagle Paper Mills and Graystone Court, a division of Jeff S. Long Construction.
