November 30–December 7, 2000
theater
Wild and Wonderful
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In the jungle: Mowgli (John Filizzola) has a laugh with Baloo the Bear (Jilline Ringle) as Bagheera the Black Panther (Larry Grant Malvern) looks on. |
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Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., through Dec. 31, 215-922-1122
A lovely, apt image opens and closes the first act of Arden’s musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. Shere Kahn, the tiger (seen here in human form), roars into the night. The moment is everything it should be: visually arresting, enchanting and scary.
Kipling’s tale, more than a century old, remains a classic. And no wonder — it combines many of the most powerful ingredients of children’s folklore. In Mowgli, the "man-cub" raised by wolves and taught by a panther and bear, we have the child displaced from his natural environment who must create a new identity and find a way to survive. It’s Moses and Hansel and Gretel rolled into one.
But there’s a twist here: Mowgli is more at home in the jungle than with human company. Kipling speaks to the British fascination with exotica, here embodied in the hot-blooded, dangerous but seductive world of the jungle.
The Arden production does best when it revels in the sensuality. Michael Brown’s splendid scenery, a clutter of bamboo chutes-and-ladders, is so dynamic and inviting that it’s all we can do to stay in our seats. Margaret K. McCarty’s costumes are charming and characterful, and John Hoey’s lighting paints the world with a Gauguin-like palette. Michael Ogborn’s music is full of lulling, calypso rhythms, and cleverly incorporates the animal’s sound world. Director Aaron Posner has brought all this together seamlessly.
Jungle Book is, of course, also a story and a cast of characters. Here in what is billed as a children’s show, it’s understandable that Neil Duffield’s adaptation would eschew some of Jungle Book’s darker colors. The kinder, gentler Jungle worked for Disney, and it basically works here too. But Duffield’s book also under characterizes the anthropomorphized animals. It’s a pity, because the ensemble is so strong: They could do even more with richer material. There’s not a weak link in the Arden’s cast, but especially good are Jilline Ringle (Baloo), Jeff Coon (Buldeo) and the remarkable John Filizzola as Mowgli. On opening night, two understudies stepped into leading roles: Geoff Kershner (Shere Kahn) and Janet Pilla (Bagheera). Both gave seasoned performances; Pilla in particular is a talent to watch.
A few caveats aside, I recommend the Arden’s Jungle Book. But don’t take just my word for it. On opening night, a large audience that included children, adults and Senator Arlen Specter enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
