Southwest premiere of Mowgli, The Jungle Book Ballet, at OKC Ballet
Oklahoma City Ballet is excited to present the southwest premiere of Mowgli, The Jungle Book Ballet to kick off the 2013-14 season “From the Page to the Stage.” Based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic story The Jungle Book, this full-length ballet is sure to captivate fans of theater and dance of all ages.
Eugene Ballet Company Artistic Director Toni Pimble’s work has been performed on many ballet companies in the U.S. Her original choreography for Mowgli is set to a mingled compilation of East Indian and World Fusion music. The dancers will be enveloped in an elaborate jungle created by Emmy award-winning set and puppet designer Gregory Crane of GRC Designs.
Extravagant and embellished costumes designed by Jonna Hayden feature authentic fabrics in a vibrant array of colors and textures. Many of the featured characters will wear intricate headpieces created by mask designer Lynn Bowers. Prepare to be astonished as two giant puppets designed by Crane, including Shere Khan the Tiger - requiring multiple dancers to maneuver, also take the stage. Mowgli will be a visual feast for the eyes with dazzling special effects, and rhythmic music that recreates the many moods of jungle life.
Mowgli, The Jungle Book Ballet will be performed Friday, October 11 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday October 12 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Children’s activities will include jungle animal mask coloring before all performances in the south lobby.
OKC Ballet’s lecture series will be hosted by Artistic Director Robert Mills and Mowgli choreographer Toni Pimble at 6:15 p.m. prior to Friday’s performance in the South Lobby. Dancer Meet and Greet with refreshments courtesy of Braum’s will occur in the main lobby following Sunday’s matinee.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in person at OKC Ballet offices, 7421 N. Classen Blvd., OKC, by phone at (405) 848-8637 or online at okcballet.com/mowgli. Season subscriptions are also available for the 2013-14 season, “From the Page to the Stage.” Tickets may also be purchased at T.H.E. Box Office at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker in OKC, (405) 297-2264.
About Oklahoma City Ballet: Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for over 40 years. It is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts 29 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the company produces 4 main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. It is the only ballet company of its size to regularly debut world premiere story ballets with original commissioned scores and also commission’s new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.
October 9, 2013