Jungle Book Tour- Wisconsin

The past couple days we have been in Wisconsin. We spent a few days in Muskego WI and performed at the Performing Arts Center's fundraiser on Saturday afternoon. The theatre was very beautiful and then show went well.



Today we performed at the Schauer Arts Center in Hartford WI. The show was very full and we had a great time. Afterwards the actors went for a meet and greet in the lobby. Andrew's family had come in from the Madison area so he was really happy to see everyone. After the show some of us went to Sal's to have NY style pizza. The night before the entire cast went to a restaurant on Main Street called The Mine Shaft.



Tomorrow we have 2 more shows in Hartford and then we will drive to Toledo OH. The next day we will drive to New York City and have a day off in the city before our next show in Sugar Loaf NY. Kelly and I are looking forward to going home for a day and the rest of the cast are planning on sight seeing in the city.

Jungle Book Tour- New Mexico

On October 4th we had 2 shows in Alto New Mexico. As we drove from Amarillo TX to Alto NM the scenery changed completely. In Amarillo it was very flat and well suited for cattle ranching. As we went further southwest the land became very hilly and then all of the sudden we were in these huge mountains. The air was very clear and the fall colors were out in full force. Damian created several watercolors of the scenery because it was so beautiful.

The shows went well. The staff was very friendly and helpful. As we loaded out it became very windy and we had to travel back down the mountain in winds that almost pushed the Penske truck off the road.

The pictures below show the scenery, the theatre building and a group shot of the cast after the second show. I think this is the first time we have posted a picture of them in their costumes.

Jungle Book Tour: Reasons to Learn How to Change a Tire

Before I start on my lesson, let me introduce myself. My name is Kelly Petlin, I play Tibaquni (the jackal) and Kaa (the snake). I have been performing my whole life. Originally from San Antonio, TX now living in Brooklyn, NY as a waitress/actress. I’ve done many children’s theater tours in my life and I have never had a flat tire.

As I was driving the “Magik Bus” down I-81 we heard a noise that sounded like a bag had gotten caught on the car then slowly, but surely we heard air leaving from our brand new tires. Five seconds later, we were calling Shelley and pulling over. By the way, when you have a blow out, don’t hit the brakes to slow down. My first thought was, “Uh Oh I don’t know how to change a tire...” I was hoping at least one of our people knew how to change a tire. Lucky for me, that was everyone! Anthony (Mowgli) stepped up to the plate and changed the tire. Even though he is the youngest, you’d never know it. He did a great job and didn’t even get dirty.

My point is, after experiencing what could’ve been a long cold time along the side of the highway and really REALLY expensive AAA phone call turned out to be not too awful. Well, I guess, Shelley did have to wait in Wal-Mart for two hours while they put the new tire on, sorry Shelley. EVERYONE should make sure they have a spare tire and know how to change it.

Other then that, we are having a great time. Lots of laughs and lots of hours on the road. We will keep you posted.

Jungle Book Tour- Washington DC

This week we had 4 shows at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly MD. The shows were in the morning and in the afternoon we took the opportunity to go to Washington DC. Kelly, Anthony, Damian and I got on the train and took it to the Smithsonian stop. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out and there was a cool breeze that sometimes blew so hard that it blew Anthony's hat right across the mall.

We walked from the Smithsonian across the monument to the Lincoln Memorial before turning north to go through the Vietnam Memorial. Then we walked to the White House, by Fords Theatre and back across to the FBI building before getting back to the train to Cheverly.

Jungle Book Tour 2009 Has Begun!

A few pics from our opening performance at the Wortham Center's Cullen Theater in Houston, Texas, beginning with sound check...

Jungle Book Blog- On our way!

Today we finished our 2-show run at Our Lady of the Lake and then packed up and drove to Houston. We perform tomorrow at the Wortham Center in downtown Houston. This is the very beginning of our tour, and everyone is very excited. From Houston we will make our way to Maryland. It will be a long drive but we are excited to be on our way.

Tour Dates and Venues

THE JUNGLE BOOK opens in Houston this Thursday, before making a BIG loop around the U.S. over the next 8 weeks.

It's a great show -- very true to the original Kipling stories -- and we're not just saying that because it's ours!

Here are the great venues where you can catch the show for yourself...

September
24 - 25: Houston, TX
Wortham Theater Center / Cullen Theater

29 - 30: Cheverly, MD
Publick Playhouse


October
5: Alto, NM
Spencer Theater

7: Junction City, KS
C L Hoover Opera House

10: Muskego, WI
Muskego High School

11 - 12: Hartford, WI
Schauer Arts & Activities Center

16: Sugar Loaf, NY
Lycian Centre

17: Brentwood, NY
Van Nostrand Theatre

18 - 19: Manasquan, NJ
Algonquin Arts Theatre

20: Bronx, NY
Bronx Science

24: Detroit Lakes, MN
Historic Holmes Theatre

27: Helena, MT
Helena Middle School

28: Billings, MT
Alberta Bair Theater

29: Idaho Falls, ID
Colonial Theater


November
1: La Mirada, CA
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts

4: Brawley, CA
Palmer Performing Arts Center

5: Lancaster, CA
Lancaster Performing Arts Center

7: Glendora, CA
Haugh Performing Arts Center

12 - 13: Columbus, GA
River Center for the Performing Arts

17: Waterville, ME
(venue TBA)

20: Union, NJ
Kean University, Wilkins Theatre

22: Owings Mills, MD
Gordon Center for Performing Arts