Theatre Review: The Jungle Book
"Hear me, people of the jungle! I, Mowgli, keeper of the law and guardian of the jungle, have come to entertain you!"
The Jackson Children and Teen Theatre has put on The Jungle Book: The Musical at The Ned. The show opens with the talented Mowgli, played by Grayson Hart. He effectively captures the insolence and over-confidence of his character. The top vocal performance of the night, however, belongs to the tiger, Shere Khan, played by Lauren Ragsdale, for the song, "Can't We Be Friends."
Jungle scenery, including trees and stumps, filled the edges of the stage, leaving the middle open for the dramatic moves of the actors. Everyone was in impressive full costume, an they frequently on stage in herds and flocks.
After the tiger Shere Khan killed a man in the village, Mowgli, referred to as "man cub," wandered into the jungle as a toddler. The wolf pack sheltered and protected him from Shere Khan and entrusted Mowgli's education to the bear Baloo and his cobra and panther friend.
Twelve years have passed and Baloo is no longer able to answer all of Mowgli's questions or keep up with his energy and desire to lead. Tension arises as Father Wolf misses a kill, meaning by Jungle Law that another can take his place. Shere Khan makes his play for the position, realizing he can kill Mowgli once he is the one in power.
Can Mowgli and his friends find a way to deter Shere Khan's plans? Or will this vicious tiger usurp Father Wolf's place at Council Rock?
Take a break from the summer heat today and bring your family to this children-friendly play. Only two shows remain. Friday, July 1, at 1:30 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m.. The play runs one hour with no intermission.
To learn more about The Ned's Children & Teen Theatre, visit their website.
After graduating from Union University, Renae Adelsberger and her husband Kevin decided to make Jackson their home due to their love for their church, nonprofits, local businesses, and abundance of Sonic drive-ins. You can read more from Renae at www.pedestriangod.com.
Photographer Kevin Adelsberger and his wife Renae moved to Jackson for college (proud Union alumni) and have stayed every since. Jackson has since taken hold of Kevin’s heart, and he looks forward to continuing to grow with the city. Kevin opened Adelsberger Marketing in 2014 and saw working with Our Jackson Home as a way that he could serve the city he loves. Kevin and Renae are members of First Baptist Church and volunteer with the youth group there and with Madison County CASA.
