The young actors and actresses of the Natchez Little Theatre’s presentation of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” are ready to take audiences deep into the forest filled with amazing and wonderful creatures. Our incredible cast from this year’s annual summer workshop will amaze you with their singing, dancing and acting skills.

For those who are not familiar with Disney’s adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, here is a reminder:

Deep in the heart of the Indian Jungle, a pack of wolves (played by Jonathan Rosso, Katie Borum, Ginny Borum and Amelia Harris) raises the beloved man-cub named Mowgli (played by Zaide Paine in his remarkable NLT debut), until Shere Khan, the tiger (played by NLT veteran youth actor, John Elliot Ward), decides that the boy is no longer welcome in the jungle.

Bagheera, the panther (played by award-winning NLT youth actress, Addison Laird), plans to guide Mowgli to the safety of the Man village, but Mowgli is reluctant to leave his home.  As Mowgli sets out, he is followed by the curious Shanti (played by award-winning youth actress, Lizzie Fife), a shy girl from the Man village who hides herself from the Man-cub.  Mowgli settles into the jungle to get some sleep when his peaceful night is interrupted by Kaa, the python (portrayed by Parker Claire Maxwell), whose hypnotic eyes and deadly coils lull Mowgli into a deep slumber as she sings “Trust In Me.”  Bagheera wakes just in time and chases off the snake as Shanti sings “Night Into Day.”

As Bagheera and Mowgli begin their journey anew, a troupe of Elephants (played by Julia Richardson, Jonathan Rosso and Luke Simpson) stampede toward them, singing “Colonel Hathi’s March” led by the regimented Colonel Hathi (played by El Day in her NLT debut).  Mowgli tries to fit in with the group, saluting his ‘trunk’ like the Baby Elephant (Luke Simpson), but Hathi refuses to let him join the brigade.  As the elephants comically march off, Bagheera commands Mowgli to follow without any more argument.

Upset, Mowgli pouts by a large boulder, only to discover that the rock is actually the giant bear, Baloo (played by NLT college veteran Jasmine Winding), who shares her philosophy on life by singing “The Bare Necessities.”  Convinced he has everything he needs to survive, including a new friend, Mowgli happily adopts Baloo’s carefree outlook, when suddenly he is kidnapped by three monkeys (played by Skylar Carson, Jyrah Griffin and Vincent White) and taken to their leader.  King Louie (played by NLT youth veteran actress and Mississippi State University bound Symone Thomas) wants Mowgli to teach him how to be a man as Symone and the monkeys sing “I Wan’na Be Like You,” but Bagheera rescues Mowgli thanks to a disguised Baloo, who distracts the ape with a reprise of “I Wan’na Be Like You,” until the disguise falls off, and Baloo makes a run for it.  The monkeys try to follow in pursuit, but Shere Khan scares them off as he sings “Shere Khan the Tiger”).

Baloo, speaking with Bagheera, now realizes that the jungle is not safe for Mowgli, who overhears him and, dejected, runs away.  The jungle promises to protect Mowgli as the cast sings “That’s What Friends Are For,” but Shere Khan finds him before they can make a plan.  Baloo, Mowgli, and the jungle work together to taunt and confuse the tiger.  Shanti, with the jungle’s help, uses a net to catch Shere Khan, who runs off, frustrated and embarrassed.  Shanti reveals herself to the group, and even though Mowgli is now safe, he decides to explore the Man village with Shanti, though he will always consider the jungle his home.

Portraying the jungle and all its flora and fauna are Adair Carey, Caleb Daugherty, Taylor Ferguson, Annie Hickman, Shirani Hickman, Patty Jo Hickman, Gibson Hillyer, Jailyn Hurst, Anabella Laird, Tyler Merriett, Trent Robinson, Heather Simpson, Mallary Simpson, Gianna Tuccio and Maggie Waddill as the Old Monkey.

Come watch the amazing talent that is in our community on June 29 to July 2. Tickets are $20 for non-members of NLT and should be reserved as NLT Summer Youth Workshop productions have a history of selling out. For reservations, call 601-442-2233; toll free 877-440-2233 or avoid the lines at NLT’s box office by purchasing your tickets securely on-line at natcheztheatre.org!
Katie Borum is a 2017 summer youth workshop participant and choreographer of Disney’s “The Jungle Book”