(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey presents their next Studio Series of the 38th season, JUNGALBOOK virtually streaming on YouTube Live on Friday, July 17 at 7:30pm and Saturday, July 18 at 4:00pm. Written by Edward Mast, JUNGALBOOK is a thrilling and fun-filled adaptation based on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, which moves the jungle to an inner-city playground as we follow Mowgli navigating his way through the wilds of childhood. This production is directed by Jillian Petrie, TGS's Company Choreographer.

In JUNGALBOOK, we’re introduced to Mowgli, the human child, who grows up raised by wolves under the guidance of Baloo the bear. The tiger, Sherakhan, wants Mowgli but Bagheera, the lone panther, protects him. Mowgli grows up wild and unconcerned,  believing he’s a wolf; but the tiger works long and hard to poison the wolf pack against him. With rope stolen from the human village, Mowgli meets and destroys Sherakhan, but its use has broken jungle law. Mowgli must choose whether to defy the law or leave the jungle forever.

JUNGALBOOK is an all youth production featuring 13 young performers hailing from Morris, Sussex and Warren counties.  This production is a part of our Studio Presentation Series.  This series, initiated in the fall of 2009, has succeeded in engaging both patrons and artists. Targeted for specific-aged audiences rather than the wide-reaching family fare of the Main Stage, the series provides community artists with a unique opportunity to participate in the creative process of “trying out” new, more experimental works under the direction of our professional artists. This program allows our company to both cultivate new talent and challenge audiences.

JUNGALBOOK will be presented as a “Pay What You Can” performance. When you visit www.growingstage.com/studio-series you’ll see a step by step guide on how to place an order and obtain your streaming link. For further information, please call the TGS Box Office at (973) 347-4946.  

The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals.