Spotlight Players 2015 Season Show Pitch

Show Title: Disneys The Jungle Book

Music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and Terry
Gilkyson
Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and Terry
Gilkyson
Additional Lyrics by Marcy Heisler
Book adapted by Marcy Heisler
Music adapted and arranged by Bryan Louiselle

Synopsis
Courtesy of MTIshows.com
Our tale begins deep in the heart of the Jungle. A baby boy, lost and abandoned, is raised by wolves. He is called
"Mowgli" ("Jungle Prologue").
Shere Kahn, the tiger, decides that Mowgli is no longer welcome in the Jungle. To keep him out of danger, Bagheera,
the panther, plans to guide Mowgli to the safety of the man village, but Mowgli doesnt want to leave his home. The
two settle down for the night under a coconut tree, but their peaceful night is interrupted by Kaa, the Snake ("Kaa the
Snake"). Bagheera doesnt notice as Kaa, the snake lulls Mowgli into a deep sleep ("Trust in Me"). Bagheera wakes
up to find Kaa coiled around Mowgli, and chases the snake away (Night into Day").
As they continue their journey, they encounter a herd of elephants, led by the dotty Colonel Hathi ("Colonel Hathi's
March"). As the elephants march off, Bagheera commands Mowgli to follow him without any more argument. Mowgli
sits and pouts on a large boulder only to discover that it is the giant bear, Baloo ("Baloo the Bear").
Baloo offers Mowgli his philosophy on life, which is quite different from what Bagheera has been teaching ("The Bare
Necessities"). While Baloo is lost in that swingin jungle rhythm, a group of shifty-looking monkeys tiptoes in and
kidnaps Mowgli. Caught off guard, Baloo calls to Bagheera for help, while the monkeys carry Mowgli deep into the
jungle, laughing all the way ("Monkey Business).
The monkeys take Mowgli to the ancient ruins, where their leader, the wiley King Louie, is holding court. King Louie
tells Mowgli that he wants to learn how to be a man, while Baloo and Bagheera sneak on and devise a rescue plan.
Baloo, disguised as a very big monkey, will join in the fun to distract King Louie, while Bagheera spirits Mowgli away
("I Wan'na Be Like You").
Baloo cant get enough of that jumpin jazz, and insists on an encore. He continues to swing until his disguise falls off,
blowing their cover, and forcing them to run ("I Wan'na Be Like You Reprise). The monkeys frantically follow in
pursuit, but are stopped dead in their tracks when Shere Khan appears. He sharpens his claws and the monkeys
scatter in terror ("Shere Khan the Tiger").
After their monkey attack, Baloo now realizes the Jungle is too dangerous for Mowgli, and together with Bagheera,
they agree to get him out of the jungle. Mowgli overhears, and not wanting to leave his home, defiantly runs away.
Baloo and Bagheera rush off to find him, hoping that Shere Khan doesn't find him first ("Mowgli Runs").
Away from the safety of Baloo and Baghera, Mowgli finds friendship in the other jungle creatures, who promise to
protect him if Shere Khan should come around ("That's What Friends Are For").
Shere Khan arrives, and prepares to attack Mowgli. But before he can pounce, Baloo appears, rallying the other
jungle creatures into battle ("The Battle"). The battles ends with the jungle creatures victorious, and Shere Khan
cowering in the distance, humiliated and defeated. Once again, the jungle is safe.
Shanti, a beautiful young girl who has been hiding in the jungle the whole time, finally reveals herself. She offers to
take Mowgli to her village to meet other people just like him. Mowgli decides to explore the "man village" with Shanti,
but reminds his friends he will return, for he will always consider the Jungle his home ("The Bare Necessities Reprise
Finale).
As the curtain falls, the jungle inhabitants return once more to celebrate that swingin' jungle beat ("I Wan'na Be Like
You Reprise - Bows").

Casting Size:

Minimum Casting: 11 people

Maximum Casting N/A

o LEADS:
Bagheera, Baloo, Mowgli
o Supporting Roles
Shere Khan, King Louie, Kaa, Colonel Hathi, Shanti, Baby
Elephant, Old Monkey
o Chorus Roles:
Elephant Troupe, Jungle Chorus (Vultures, Wolves, Other
Animals), Monkeys, Shantis Family (To be read by
adults)

Production Staff:
Director: Alan Highe
Assistant Director: Kayla Younkin
Producer/Stage Manager: Nick Swider
Costume Crew: TBD
Light/Sound Crew: Joseph Moss, Nick Brown
Set/Prop Crew: TBD

GO BIG ASPECTS:
-

Seeing this is the script and songs from the DISNEY movie, people will expect
a lot, and have a high standard based off that film. My initial thought is to
rent as many set pieces as possible to re-create iconic scenes from that
movie. Another idea I have for this show regards the costumes. Seeing as it is
a youth show, and we are trying to save money as a production, making a
horde of elephants and vultures seemed impossible, until I saw the following
pictures.

The great thing about these costumes, is that it portrays the animals in a
more modern style, and honestly, the costumes seem to be A LOT easier to

pull of this way. A couple top hats and feather boas are all you really need for
the vultures (suit coat and pants provided by the cast). As for the elephants,
there is a character named Colonel Hathi. (Notice how his mustache is tusks?)
Final Thoughts:
In doing The Jungle Book, its our first step at re-vamping the Youth Program at
Spotlight. Recently there has been a lot of neglect towards the youth program, and I
think it should stop with this show. I am willing to pull out all the stops to make this
show a great kick start for our re-installed Youth Program. Plus, with all the drama of
surrounding companies, and the name associated with the director and show, the
possibilities of the cast, crew, set and costumes are endless!