Eugene Ballet’s Mowgli (Jungle Book)

https://www.facebook.com/FourRiversCulturalCenterandMuseum/videos/1501889969834364/

 Eugene Ballet’s Mowgli to be performed at Four Rivers Cultural Center at 7 pm on Thursday, October 19

 

 

Mowgli – The Jungle Book Ballet comes to the Four Rivers Cultural Center on Thursday, October 19 after its spectacular 2012 world premiere!  Experience the spirited adventures of Mowgli as he grows up in India and befriends Baloo the Bear, and battles the larger-than-life Shere Khan the Tiger and Kaa the Snake. An exotic retelling of Rudyard Kipling’s stories enjoyed by all ages, with fanciful costumes, masks, sets and world music that creates the magic of young Mowgli’s life in the jungle.

The show will start at 7:00 pm.  Tickets will be $18 for adults and $14 for children 14 and Under & for our Four Rivers Cultural Center Members. If interested in becoming a member, please call 541-889-8191 or email development@4rcc.com

 

The Eugene Ballet Company will be performing this piece, based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic stories, this full-length ballet is sure to dazzle audience members of all ages. Original choreography by EBC Artistic Director Toni Pimble is set to an eclectic compilation of East Indian and World Fusion music. With her usual fervent imagination, Toni has choreographed a new exotic ballet for EBC’s stellar dancers, to be enjoyed by adults as well as children.

The Company also worked with Emmy Award-winner Gregory Crane of GRC Designs to create an immersive jungle-themed set, designed specifically for “Mowgli.” EBC aims to make “Mowgli- The Jungle Book Ballet” a visually stunning piece of theater that will attract audiences of all ages. The lavish costumes, feature authentic Indian fabrics, a vibrant array of color, and intricate headpieces. The sets designed by Emmy Award winner Gregory Crane, along with the newly created fanciful masks and costumes by Jonna Hayden and Lynn Bowers, will be enhanced by the dazzling special effects as the rhythmic music recreates the many moods of jungle life.

“Mowgli” will also feature two giant puppets designed by Crane, including Shere Khan the Tiger, and Kaa the Snake, requiring up to eight dancers to manipulate.

 

The inspiration to create a ballet based on Kipling’s The Jungle Book came from EBC’s relationship with the Haugland family. The
Richard P. Haugland Foundation is a private foundation in Eugene that supports charitable, cultural and educational programs in America, such as EBC. The foundation also provides funds to the Starfish Country Home School Foundation, which is a registered charity in Thailand and to other programs operating in Asia (www.schsf.org).

Inspired by his work with underprivileged children in Thailand, Richard Haugland requested that the Company create a ballet performance that could be enjoyed by children, as well as adults. “Mowgli- The Jungle Book Ballet” is the result of Haugland’s aspiration. EBC received an initial grant of $160,000 from the Richard P. Haugland Foundation, and additional funding from the Hult Endowment—Arts Foundation of Western Oregon Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, and Alexander and Amy Hauglaund.
“It will blow people’s minds how the dancers and puppeteers can make it come to life.”
—Gregory Crane, Scenic Designer

Choreography – Toni Pimble
Music – Indian World Music Fusion
Scenic and Puppet Design – Gregory C. Crane
Costume Design – Jonna Hayden
Mask Design – Lynn Bowers
Lighting Design – Kelly Baum