So begins the HSU production of Edward Mast’s 1984 play Jungalbook, a family drama with comedy and magic based on tales from Rudyard Kipling’s famous The Jungle Book. It opens in the Van Duzer Theatre for a two weekend run on Friday February 26.
Director Troy Lescher has divided the play into short, fast-paced scenes, as 11 HSU student actors play school children who transform themselves into animals with bits of clothing left behind in a “lost and found” box. Masks and puppets add to the magic of transformation.
“There are a lot of light moments in the play, moments of joy and humor and pleasure,” said Lescher. “But also some heavy and darker moments, and surprises. The jungle is a place of adventure but also of danger. That’s one reason this play appeals to young and old.”
The story centers on Mowgli (played by Camille Borrowdale), a human baby left in the jungle but saved by the panther Bagheera (Bryan Kashon), who bargained with Akela, the leader of the wolf pack (Hanah Toyoda), to protect and raise the infant.
Now Mowgli is ten, befriended by Baloo the bear (Matthew Hern) but endangered by the tiger Sherakhan (Jenna Donahue.) Other animals—elephant, python, monkey, vulture and hyena—populate her world, as she learns the laws of the jungle. Mowgli also faces questions of identity, and whether the jungle or the human village will be her home.
Other themes include loyalty, trust, friendship and dealing with fear. Moving the jungle to “the blackboard jungle” also focuses a contemporary issue: “One of the major themes of the play is bullying,” Lescher said.
Winner of a Distinguished Play Award from the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Jungalbook is widely produced by professional, community and school theatres, from universities to elementary schools.
This is new HSU Theatre, Film & Dance faculty member Troy Lescher’s first show at HSU. “It’s a challenge to stage a play that has fantasy and magic but in a realistic setting, and how you do this with lights and sound and transforming the space.”
With a background in physical theatre and clowning as well as acting, he encouraged the student actors to study videos of the animals they portray. “I asked them to zero in on postures, style of movement, respiratory patterns and the sounds of their animals, so we could incorporate them into their acting work.”
“I’m excited to pass the torch to the student actors on opening night, and see them run with this thing—and blow the doors off. Because that’s what we should be doing.”
The cast also includes Roman Sanchez, Elio Robles, Ivan Gamboa, Rilo DeAnn, Ashlyn Mather, Josh Banuelos and Isabella Ceja.
Derek Lane is the scenic designer, James McHugh designed lighting, Cory Stewart and Derek Lane designed sound, Alexander Stearns designed costumes and hair, and Sydnee Stanton is the props, puppet and mask designer. Jungalbook runs about 75 minutes without intermission.
In addition to public performances, more than 600 students from Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville elementary (grade 3 and higher), middle and secondary schools will attend a special show on the morning of March 2.
Jungalbook is performed in the Van Duzer Theatre at HSU on Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday evenings, March 3-5, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday March 6. Tickets are $10 general/$8 students and seniors, with a limited number of free tickets for HSU students at each performance, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. More information: http://HSUStage.blogspot.com. Produced by HSU Department of Theatre, Film & Dance.