Education Matters

Asolo Repertory Theatre presents Jungle Book

By Ryan G. Van Cleave

Asolo Repertory Theatre and the creative team of Rick Miller, Craig Francis, and their production company, Kidoons, brought Sarasota a hit last year with Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. It was so well-received that they were invited back to be the final show of the theater’s 2017-2018 season, running June 9 to June 24, with previews June 6-8. The new offering? A remake of the Rudyard Kipling classic Jungle Book.

Why Jungle Book? Co-creator and co-director Rick Miller read Kipling’s stories as a child and remembered much of it by heart. “It simply seemed to be an appropriate follow up to Twenty Thousand Leagues,” he explains, “since it’s about education and the environment. Those are two relevant issues today.” He notes that while many have seen the Disney animated movie or the more recent live action/CGI movie version, most people only know the story of Mowgli in the jungle. But Kipling didn’t just write one book—he did two full collections of stories, and many modern versions don’t tackle the stories about how Mowgli goes into the city. They stick to the jungle side. “One of our goals was to use a bigger lens on this story. Mowgli is still there in the city story, and so is Baloo. But it’s important to show that not only was Mowgli rejected by the animals for being too human, he’s also rejected by the humans for being too much of an animal.” That makes it a far more nuanced and moving story about a young child trying to find his place in the world. Kids today—perhaps more than ever—know about having multiple/blended families and feeling disconnected.

Miller adds that one of the challenges facing Captain Nemo from Twenty Thousand Leagues was his own sense of feeling disconnected. So much so, in fact, that he exiled himself away inside his submarine, the Nautilus, instead of dealing with forces that had a devastating effect on his family.

For those who missed that grand story at Asolo Rep last year, you’d be surprised to know that there wasn’t a single drop of water on stage. The underwater effects were created by fabric, projections, and sound. “That kind of simple staging will happen with Jungle Book,” says Miller. “People will be blown away. No tree branches or leaves will be on stage—not a single one. We’ll create the jungle through an immersive manipulation of shadows, silhouettes, and projections. It’s very low-tech, yet audiences won’t quite know what’s real and what isn’t.” 

And just as Asolo Rep’s recent record-breaking production of Evita used a predominantly Latinx cast to give the piece authenticity, so too will Jungle Book use the same strategy to bring the jungles of India to life. Of the four performers, two are Canadians of Indian descent, and the other two are New Yorkers of Indian descent. Plus the sound designer, too, is also of Indian descent.

While Miller mainly handles the theatrical side of things, co-creator and co-director Craig Francis takes a big role in the networking and outreach component of Kidoons, which is what helps make the world premiere of Jungle Book a great fit for Asolo Rep’s family series. Kidoons—which started about 10 years ago—integrates online education and live entertainment. 

“In our imagination,” says Francis, “the theatrical performances and online education all are part of one big universe, though maybe not quite on the scale of Marvel. Through Kidoons, kids can get a rounded experience to complement a live event.” For Twenty Thousand Leagues, they offered an animated version of the story on their website as well as videos from marine scientists who looked at solutions to the ocean’s problems to help kickstart STEM discussions. Jungle Book will have a similarly robust set of online offerings, including an animated video and educational resources. What makes it more effective than merely offering a series of pdfs and Powerpoint videos is that the information is presented through narrative. That’s a far more effective way to help young audiences learn and remember.

So, kids can interact with Jungle Book story and characters well in advance of the show and arrive engaged, or they can visit the website later at home or in a classroom to learn more about conservation, the environment, and family. To offer more information on the issue of conservation, Miller and Francis have partnered with Earth Day Canada, a national charity that inspires and supports people to connect with nature and build resilient communities.

Similarly, Asolo Rep works with local Florida resources to enhance learning experiences for audiences. Big Cat Habitat, as just one example, will partner on the June 16 Family Day at the theater so that audiences can visit with live animals before the performance. The theater also collaborates with schools and area youth organizations such as Girls, Inc. and Boys and Girls Clubs so that young people can attend as part of their summer programs. Many of these students might not otherwise have the opportunity to see theater, but Asolo Rep and supporters work to offset the transportation and ticket costs for groups in need of financial support.

One of the most relevant things about Jungle Book, notes Asolo Rep Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards, is how Mowgli realizes he has more than one family. “That’s a powerful idea. He has a genetic family of humans, but he also belongs to the family of the animal kingdom. The problem for him? He feels more connected to the animal kingdom and has the burden of trying to explain to his human family that we are all connected, that all life matters.” This isn’t as easy as it seems. “Kids naturally love animals. They love all living things—even the ugly ones. They know from a very young age that they’re connected to all the lives around them. But then we teach them that this isn’t so.”  

Edwards is especially excited about this new take on an old story. “Many artists want something new. But once you assemble a group of people who feel connected to the work, they cannot help but bring themselves into it. That’s what happened here. That’s what makes this vital and new,” he says. “They’ve gone back to the texts and re-examined the original thinking behind those words. They’ve unlocked fresh ways of telling this important story.” From the low-tech staging to the small cast (only 4!) to the philosophy behind the production, Jungle Book promises to be a memorable event both for kids and for adults. 

“It’s not Disney on Ice,” Miller explains. “There are still challenging themes here. But we think we’ve created something pretty special that can start a lot of important conversations, be enjoyable, and be a unique memory for kids.”

Miller adds that for him, the great thing about family shows like Jungle Book is the kids. “They’re so incredibly honest in their responses. They tell you right away what works and what doesn’t. I’m always amazed at the energy level a roomful of kids can bring to a performance that’s been done a dozen or a hundred times before. It’s refreshing.” And for some kids in the audience, a live theater experience can be transformative.

Francis adds, “It was an honor to be invited the first time to do Twenty Thousand Leagues. We’re even more honored to be invited back.”