Andre De Shields joins Jungle Book

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 4:38pm

Can't argue with this casting:



The Goodman Theatre said Wednesday that Andre de Shields, a growing presence on the Chicago theater scene, would be part of the ensmeble cast of Mary Zimmerman's "The Jungle Book" this spring. He'll play King Louie. The show, which uses the beloved Sherman Brothers score, is being producted in cooperation with Disney Theatricals.

Others in the cast, mostly a mix of Chicago and New York-based actors, include ten-year-old Akash Chopra as Mowgli, Usman Ally as Bagheera, Anjali Bhimani as Raksha, Kevin Carolan as Baloo the bear, Glory Curda as the Little Girl; Thomas Derrah as Kaa, Nehal Joshi as Rama and Larry Yando as the villainous Shere Khan.

After Chicago, the production travels to the Huntington Theatre in Boston. Performances begin June 21 at the Goodman.

Theater Loop

[newintown]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 4:39pm

Why do they keep making Andre play an ape?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 6:43pm

Because he's French.

[Sweet_Henry]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 6:46pm

Born in Baltimore... very French.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 4/24/13 at 6:49pm

You know what, I'm just gonna come right out and say it, I love this casting!

[jon5202]

Posted: 4/25/13 at 1:15am

Here is a recently posted Goodman video clip of a musical workshop using the "Bare Necessities" number (click on the "videos" box located above the cast listing):

http://www.goodmantheatre.org/season/Jungle-Book/



Updated On: 4/25/13 at 01:15 AM

[finebydesign]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 1:03pm

Anyone going to this:

STARTS 5/16/2013 The Art Institute of Chicago, Fullerton Hall
6 - 7pm FREE with purchase of admission to museum

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE JUNGLE BOOK

Thursday, May 16 | 6 – 7pm
The Art Institute of Chicago, Fullerton Hall
FREE with purchase of admission to museum

Goodman Associate Producer Steve Scott provides a backstage look at the upcoming world premiere musical The Jungle Book, created and directed by Mary Zimmerman. Join Steve as he discusses the fascinating history of Rudyard Kipling’s belove stories, illustrated with musical excerpts from the production.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 2:15pm

I saw Thomas Derrah play a curtain this year. And he was great.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 2:41pm

Andre would probably stop the show with "I Wanna Be Like You."

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 2:43pm

^ I want desperately to see it for that reason alone.

[massofmen]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 3:23pm

i wonder how this will do. This movie isn't nearly as popular as all the other disney movie musicals.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 3:50pm

I have to wonder if the show is successful in its two out of town tryouts, if Disney will bring to Broadway for Fall 2014. I would love to see this show.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 4:17pm

i wonder how this will do. This movie isn't nearly as popular as all the other disney movie musicals.

The Jungle Book was one of the biggest movie hits Disney ever had.

If you adjust for inflation, it ranks #30 in the highest grossing movies ever.

It's ahead of Independence Day, Shrek 2, Spider-Man, Finding Nemo, Sleeping Beauty, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, The Dark Knight Rises, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ... just to name a few.

Reality check time. It was a HUGE hit.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 4:23pm

I'm not sure how well it will do either, but the set design as I have mentioned is beautiful. The music sounds really great, it was neat seeing Robert Sherman in the footage. It must be so thrilling so see your work being revived like that.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/26/13 at 4:24pm

yes it was. and I think the show is in the right hands, so hopefully we'll see in on Broadway for the 2014-15 season.