Exotic Rudyard Kipling characters come to life

Stage West Community Theatre presents "The Jungle Book" June 11-13 and 18-20

Many of us grew up reading the exciting tales of Rudyard Kipling in "The Jungle Book." Tonight at Stage West, these heart-warming characters made famous by Walt Disney come to life in The Forum Theatre with the Joseph Robinette adaptation of this classic tale.

But unlike the Disney version that most everyone has seen, the Robinette adaptation begins with Rudyard Kipling sitting at his desk at school as he begins to create the story, as his imagination takes us deep into the jungle where we see his characters come to life.

W. Paul Wade, who has appeared in numerous productions at Stage West and recently directed "A Company of Wayward Saints," directs this production. "We are using minimalist costuming" said Wade. "I want the actors to bring out their characters through performance, and not so much in costume." Paul says his set will be rather simple as well, with beautifully painted backdrops designed by Melissa Triana.

Mowgli, the lost jungle boy, is saved from a ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, and raised by a wolf pack where he grows into a young "man-cub." With his friends, Baloo the Bear and Bagheera the panther, and his friend Akeela the Wolf, he learns all the life skills he will ever need and what true friendship is all about. His mentors try to instill patience as they teach him the laws of the jungle, but the Monkey People, the Bandar-log, convince him that if he can hold the Red Flower, or "fire from the men's huts," then he will emerge as the natural leader of the jungle.

Baloo warns Mowgli not to trust the monkeys, because they don't have his best interest in mind. Looming over any happiness Mowgli experiences is the threat from Shere Khan, the feared tiger who vowed 10 years ago to challenge the man-cub. Mowgli seeks the Red Flower, which brings him to a nearby village, where he is taken in by a woman, Messua, who lost her family to Shere Khan many years ago. She teaches Mowgli to speak English and how to experience human emotions. One day, Mowgli saves a young girl from a large cobra by reverting to jungle talk as he talks the cobra out of hurting the girl.

Unnerved by this, the villagers become frightened, so Mowgli returns to the jungle, where he knows he must ultimately challenge the ever increasing powerful Shere Khan. In the end, Mowgli learns how to live by the Laws of the Jungle and ultimately conquers his old enemy, the tiger, and banishes him from the jungle. The play is written for the actors to play dual roles. Wade says that Stage West typically does a children's summer production, but he thought it would be very constructive to create a "kind of apprenticeship program" where the child actors could work alongside more seasoned adult actors, learn how to develop their characters and how to move on stage.

Young Mowgli is played by 11-year-old Dakota Ruiz ("The King and I") who also plays a wolf and monkey. Nick Martinez (Roger in "Everything in the Garden") plays both Rudyard Kipling, and the adult, Mowgli. Michael Benson (Clifford Anderson in "Deathtrap") is Headmaster Price and Akela the wolf. Seasoned veteran Dalton Benson (recently director of "Deathtrap" and Marryin' Sam in "Lil Abner") plays Crofts, the English teacher, and wise bear, Baloo. The big bully tiger, Shere Khan, is played by Lauren Ballard, (Zietal in "Fiddler on the Roof, Jr") who also is Fielding. Juan Triana (Gilbert in "Everything in the Garden") is Bagheera, the wise, loyal black panther and friend of Mowgli.

Jeanene McClean (Louise in "Everything in the Garden") is Messua, the compassionate woman of the village who takes Mowgli in. She also is the Mother Wolf. Emily Cascio of Nature Coast High School, is in her debut role at Stage West as Hanley and Tabaqui. Other characters playing the jungle animals include: Brianna Bonfodeo, Brianna Burmudez, Kristen Ballard, Victoria Walsh, Tiffani McClean, Madison Daniels and Caitlin Martin.

Kipling's exciting and exotic jungle characters have inspired readers around the world. "This well loved show is really for all ages," said Wade. "It is a great 'coming of age' story about a boy who becomes a man, and that is something everybody can relate to."

If you go

"Jungle Book" opens tonight and will play in The Forum Theatre at Stage West Community Theatre for two weekends ending June 20. Tickets are $10. Stage West Community Theatre is located at 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., with a Sunday 2 p.m. matinee. Call 683-5113 for more information.