Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Wild Horse Theater members Devlin Munsdeane, left, and Challen Wright rehearse their roles in "The Jungle Book" on Monday at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada. The show runs Friday and Saturday and Aug. 3 and 4.
The Wild Horse Theater has only been around for a short time, but it has already made its mark on Carson City. This week and next it brings Disney's version of "The Jungle Book" to the city at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada - and as a bonus "Jungle Party."
Both shows are the result of two-week summer theater camps, one for those from kindergarten to the third grade and the other for those from the fourth through the eighth grade.
Rudyard Kipling wrote "The Jungle Book" in 1894 and followed it with "The Second Jungle Book" in 1895. Both were widely popular in both Kipling's England and the United States. They continue to be read by children (and sometimes adults) to this day.
The stories tell the adventures of Mowgli, a lost Indian child befriended and raised by wolves. Kipling spent much of his younger and early life in India and spoke Hindi. He was a staunch Imperialist and wrote many tales of English might in India.
The story of Mowgli caught the attention of the studio chiefs at Disney and soon a film of "The Jungle Book" came to theaters. It proved as popular as the books themselves and continues to be presented at youth theaters around the nation.
So now it comes to Carson City as part of "Summer on Broadway" by the Wild Horse Theater group. Mowgli may not be living with wolves, but he certainly comes to life here.
Also showing is the "Jungle Party," which puts 15 or 20 kids (hard to count at rehearsal as they move around a lot) on stage, dancing and singing. Some of the youngsters step forward and offer a song while everybody else chimes in. Spectators may find the "Party" even more fun than the "Book." Certainly many parents will.
Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, and at 4 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 4. Tickets are $5 for children 3 and up and $8 for adults. Children under 3 are free if they are accompanied by an adult and do not occupy a seat. Call 887-0438 or see www.wildhorsetheater.com.
If you go
WHAT: Disney's version of Kipling's "The Jungle Book" and an original, extra "Jungle Party" presented by the Wild Horse Children's Theater.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday and Aug. 3 and 4; Friday shows start at 7 p.m. Saturdays have two shows at 4 and 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, 813 N. Carson St.
Tickets: 887-0438 or www.wildhorsetheater.com
"Jungle Book" cast
Director Carol Scott; Producer Pat Josten; Counselors Desiree Davis, Amy Meisloo; Jacob Linstrom, Jayme Foremaster and Danita Bayer.
"Jungle Book" characters
Ellen Bayliss, Jill Beglin, Alex Bodenstein, Nicholas Bowler, Hunter Burke, Jaden Dwer, Alexis Dye, Rylan Fancher, Allie Jezek, Emily Jones, Hayden Livingston, Emily Matuska, Emery Miller, Brenna Mitchell, Payton Nichols, Carly Peckham, Cade Rombardo, Alyssa Rowe, Higha Segu, Wesley Sonnemaker, Nicholas Vigneau, Jared Walker.
"Jungle Book" Kids
Brandon Boone, Heather Canfield, Haley Canfield, Kyra Conway, Swayzee Elefante, Athena Vavero, Isabella Favero, Clara Gray, Mary Gresch, Rebecca Hanzlick, Rachel Jones, Taylor Koop, Katie Matusak, Brooklyn Maw, Kylie Memro, Bethany Mindrum, Devlin Munsdeane, Kayla Payette, Ryan Walker, Whitney Weaver, Henry Wilson, Challen Wright