The Jungle Book—NW Children’s Theatre—NW Portland

          Creatures of the Wild

    This dance movement-oriented version of Kipling’s classic book is adapted by Sarah Jane Hardy (NWCT’s Artistic Director), Anita Menon & Pat Moran, directed by Tamara Carroll, choreographed by Menon and music composed by Rodolfo Ortega.  

    It is playing at their space, 1819 NW Everett St., through March 1^st (parking is an extreme challenge in this area, so plan your time accordingly).  For more information, go to their site at www.nwcts.org or call 503-222-2190.

    In this day and age, we have our own “jungle” to navigate through, made up of concrete and electronics, not the “warm fuzzies” of Nature’s forests and veldts.  We humans seem hell-bent on destroying all the natural wonders of God’s green Earth and making a mockery of the possibilities surrounding us from the natural order of things.  We have failed, in a big way, because of our greed and self-righteous, to live in Harmony with Nature.  But the creatures of the wild have learned that lesson and, in this instance, raised a human child in the ways of the animal, in hopes of creating a new union between beasts and humans.

    All these elements boil down to the transformation of a child, a boy named, Mowgli (Gowri Ganesh), a man-cub, abandoned at birth and raised by the animals of the jungle.  Chief among them are his tutors, a feisty black, panther named, Bagheera (Emma Sanders) and a blustering bear called, Baloo (Samson Syharath).  Mowgli is allowed to stay because the leader of the pack, a clever wolf, Akela (Alanna Fagan), has taken pity on him and believes he may be special in bridging the gap between “all creatures, great and small.”

    But Mowgli is cocky, impish and more interested in playing with his friends than learning lessons.  But there is a time, in every youth’s life, when it is necessary to put aside childish things and become an adult…and that time is closing in on Mowgli.   There are two dangers that face him.  The first is that he is a human and can make fire, which is a threat to the creatures of the jungle.  And the second is that a vicious tiger, Shere Khan (Andres Alcala’), an outcast from the ruling Council, as his style is too dictatorial for leadership, wants to steal Mowgli’s secret of fire for his own selfish ends.

    But, before Mowgli can be accepted, he has to pass certain tests, in order to prove his understanding of the jungle creatures’ way of life.  Along this journey he will face many obstacles, such as the foolish, mischievous monkeys (Arjun Pai & Maya Hawks); Shere Khan’s inept henchmen (Jason Nuesa & Kara Petrick); and the wily, Boa Constrictor, Kaa (Fagan, again).  Of course, a showdown is inevitable but you’ll have to see it for yourselves to discover the outcome…but the message is clear, if beings work together, anything is possible (unlike many governments of the world today).

    The charm of this production really lies with the amazing dancers and dances, as well as the captivating music.  It is a tale told mostly through stylized movement & interpretive, multi-styles of dance; very colorful and inventive costumes (Mary Eggers); and an extremely functional and sleek set (John Ellingson).  If you enjoy going to musical and dance concerts, you will really enjoy this.

    The chorus of dancers are the key to the success of this production and they are brilliant!  So, too, is Alcala’, who makes a delicious villain; Fagan in her aerial acrobatics, as the snake and, especially, Ganesh as Mowgli, she is amazing, having to learn all the different styles of dance in her journey, and is a pretty fine actor, as well.  One of the best and most energetic performances of the Season!  I predict she will go far in this profession.

    I highly recommend this production.  If you do go, please tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS