
The Jungle Book is about a young “man-cub,” named Mowgli, who is raised by wolves in the jungles of India. Mowgli goes to school and learns the rules of the jungle from Baloo, the bear, and Bagheera, the Jaguar. Mowgli and his animal friends work together to defeat the evil tiger, Shere Khan and the comical “Bander Log”(which are the Hindi words for “The Monkey People”). In the end Mowgli is reunited with his human mother or “mataji” in a heartwarming scene in which Mowgli recognizes the physical similarities between himself and Messua, his mother.
When I first entered Imagination Stage, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful jungle greenery, complete with vines hanging from the ceiling. At first, there was a large brown, round object in the middle of the stage. I was unsure of what it was. It turned out to be the center of action throughout the scenes. During a question and answer section with the actors, after the performance, I asked stage manager, Jennifer Schwartz, what the unknown object was. She informed me that it was supposed to be a large tree on one side and the snake’s cave on the other side.
Thanks to Ethan Sinnott, the set designer, I felt the sun shining down through the trees in the jungles of India. The young and restless audience members became quiet in their seats from the moment the show began. The Indian villagers carried candles flickering in the darkness. Chimes tinkled, and the performers chanted Sanskrit folksongs. The audience was hooked right away.
The show repeated the universal theme by singing “One spirit, one world, we be of one blood, you and I”. In the song “One Blood,” the audience was invited to join in and seemed to enjoy learning the different languages of the animals of the jungle. It shows that no matter how different we are, we all need each other. Children will be able to relate to the bickering between Mowgli and his wolf cub sister. The two call each other “fur face” and “frog legs”. Finally, the sister gets put in a “time-out” for calling Mowgli dumb. Mowgli learns that different isn’t bad when he expresses his disdain for his fingers (instead of paws) or as he says, “twigs for paws”.
I talked to Brownie troupe number 2961 after the show. They all agreed their favorite characters were the two monkeys, played by Nadya Chacon and, Helen Hayes Award Winner Jenna Sokolowsi (she won for Best Supporting Actress as Little Sally in Signature Theatre’s production of Urinetown at the 2006 Awards ceremony).
Many children and parents will find the high-energy antics of the primates very entertaining, although some will find their jokes old and repetitive. Don’t get me wrong – Nadya and Jenna do a spectacular job portraying these two characters. It’s just that the script alone is just not funny. The Brownie troupe also told me the show was confusing at times and, they wouldn’t recommend it to their friends. I agree. At first I had trouble identifying the characters because the costumes all looked the same, tails and ears. It was also difficult for a child to understand the show because the actors were switching between three languages almost every other line. Although they provided a translation of some words in the program, it would be nice if there were subtitles, or some translation easy to follow during the songs. Also, I do not think my younger sisters would have enjoyed the show.
My personal favorite character was Baloo, the bear, played by Sasha Olinick. He gave a wonderful vocal performance and I especially enjoyed the dance when he falls under the hypnotic spell of Kaa, the snake, played by Jeri Marshall.
- Running Time: 90 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
- Recommended for Ages: 4 and up
- When: Through Nov 4th.
- Where: Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Avenue Bethesda, Md
- Tickets: $10-$20
- Info: Call 301-280-1660, or visit the website
Meet DC Theatre Scene’s newest reviewer Jonny Perl:
Jonny Perl, 12, is in the seventh grade at Loiederman Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts. He is thrilled to be writing for DC Theatre Scene. He loves to perform, especially musical theatre. He dances tap and jazz and can sing from a low “E” to a high “A”. His favorite musical is “Hairspray”. When Jonny is not performing, he enjoys taking care of his three younger sisters.
Excellent review, Jonny! I don’t think Imagination Stage could ask for a better critical perspective, and you have the finest mentors at DCTheatreScene.
I was noticing your performance information in your bio and wanted to personally invite you to audition for a production I am directing for Landless Theatre Company. It is the DC Premiere of the hit off-Broadway musical A VERY MERRY UNAUTHORIZED CHILDREN’S SCIENTOLOGY PAGEANT written by a popular young playwright/composer named Kyle Jarrow (who will, in my humble opinion, carry on the legacy of Jonathan Larson!). I love this play because some people think it a very funny satire, while others think it’s like a “Godspell” for a new age about a unique religious freethinker. It’s smart, funny, and it really makes people think! The music is pretty cool, too.
I’m currently auditioning a cast of 7-10 young actors (boys and girls) between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. There is a small stipend and 16 performances at DCAC, so the production will be seen and adjudicated by the Helen Hayes Awards. More information is online at our website, http://www.landlesstheatrecompany.org.
I know a lot of talented students, but very few can also write like this – and that is the sort of actor I need for this play, so I hope you will audition. Please have your parent or guardian send us an email at [email protected] if you’d like to schedule an audition appointment!
Best,
Andrew Baughman
Producing Artistic Director
The Landless Theatre Company
P.S. – Parents of other talented young actors are certainly welcome and encouraged to send headshots/resumes to us at [email protected], too, for audition consideration. This is a very unique opportunity, and we’d love to hear from you!
Great report thingy Jonny!!! just one thing, you spelled troup wrong… there is no “e” in troup. lookin forward to see the next one
Editor’s note: OK. You sent us to our big Oxford Am Dictionary, and, according to them, troupe is correct.
Jonny, excellent review! Hope you keep on writing and keep on sharing your wonderful critiques!
Jonny,
Your review is excellent and I expect you to go places in this world. You must have wonderful parents and sisters. Keep up the good work.
Congratulations to Joel and the DCTS crew for creating a wonderful new way to support youth in the DC area. Your continued passion and caring for youth theatre and supporting the young minds of tomorrow is inspiring to all of us!!
Jonny, you have set the bar high for future student critics, we all hope to see many more great reviews from you in the future!
Jonny, I am very impressed with your candor and detail. Thank you!
Great job Jonny! Very detailed review. You are a natural. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Wow! Jonny, you are so insightful. I think we have a pro on our hands.
Jonny you rock! Good times in Annie Jr. You did great in this review Tie Dye Guy! lol
Welcome Jonny to the DCTS family! Your review of The Jungle Book is fantastic!