Plano Metropolitan Ballet Presents Jungle Book

Plano Metropolitan Ballet, funded in part by the city of Plano, will enchant audiences of all ages with an original production, Jungle Book.  The story opens as animals dance in the jungle. Suddenly, Baghera, the panther, finds a basket containing a human baby.  Careful to hide this treasure from the man-eating tiger, Shere Khan, and his vulture, Oola, Baghera hands the baby over to Akeela to be raised by the wolves.  Mowgli grows up with the wolves, including Akeela, the pack leader, and Racksha, the den mother.  However, Shere Khan eventually discovers Mowgli, prompting Baghera to usher the child to a village to be among other humans.  There Mowgli discovers fire, called the Red Flower.  Countess Loui of the monkeys also is enamored with the Red Flower, feeling it will make her the most powerful animal in the jungle. Later, Mowgli separates from Baghera and encounters the snake, Kaa, who cannot determine whether Mowgli is a friend—or food.  Fortunately, the jovial bear, Baloo, dashes to the rescue.  Along the way, Mowgli also becomes acquainted with Queen Effie and the majestic elephants.  Over time, Mowgli has various encounters with Countess Loui, who still desires the Red Flower, and she saves Baloo from a hive of buzzing honey bees.  But always lurking are Shere Khan and Oola, who finally find Mowgli.  Aided by a jungle-full of loyal animals who wish to protect her, Mowgli escapes from Shere Khan once and for all and realizes that the jungle is truly her home.   Some principal cast members include: Stephanie Yamauchi (Mowgli), Kailey Williams (Oola/Red Flower) Hannah Beaudreau (Baghera), Phoebe Salas (Baloo), Scarlett Walls (Kaa), Adeline Howell (Racksha), Jenny Zhu (Queen Effie), Amanda LaPorte (Countess Loui), and professional dancers, Ruben Gerding (Shere Khan), and Tagir Galimov (Akeela). Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the Artistic Direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson. Performances begin on January 6 with a community outreach event at 7 p.m.  General audience performances are January 7 at 7 p.m., January 14 at 3 p.m., and January 21 at 3 and 7 p.m. Plano Met will also be performing Jungle Book for the Girl Scouts on January 7 at 3 p.m., January 13 at 7 p.m., January 14 at 7 p.m., and January 20 at 7 p.m. All performances are at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 Avenue H, Plano.  Tickets are $16 and are currently on sale.  Buy your tickets early; this event is always a sell out!!!  Tickets are available in person at Gotta Dance (3131 Custer Road in Plano) or online at www.planometballet.org