Photo Coverage: Tony Winner Ben Vereen Visits Huntington's THE JUNGLE BOOK

The Huntington Theatre Company's production of The Jungle Book played its 100th performance on Tuesday, October 8 at 7:30pm and had another reason to celebrate on October 11th, when the legendary Ben Vereen stopped by to pay a visit. He was then surprised backstage by the cast and crew singing him a Happy Birthday, check out photos below!

The Jungle Book is produced in association with Chicago's Goodman Theatre where the run began on Friday, June 21 and was extended by popular demand through August 18. The Boston run began Friday, September 7, has been extended twice by popular demand, and continues through Sunday, October 20. The Jungle Book is produced by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions.

On Saturday, September 28, The Jungle Book became the most successful production in the company's 31-year history, grossing $1,729,309 to date with two full weeks remaining in its run. It surpassed the Huntington's 2003 production of Butley starring Tony Award-winner Nathan Lane, the previous record-holder at $1,576,699.

Great seats, especially for weeknight performances, are still available for The Jungle Book through October 20. See ticket information below. The new musical production wholly reimagined for the stage by Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman (Candide) is based on Nobel Laureate Rudyard Kipling's 1893 collection of stories set in the Indian jungle and Walt Disney's 1967 animated film.

Tickets for all start at $25 with great seats and best value tickets available midweek online at huntingtontheatre.org; by phone at 617 266 0800; and in person at the Box Offices at the Avenue of the Arts / BU Theatre (264 Huntington Avenue) and South End / Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA (527 Tremont Street).

Photos by Huntington Theatre Company

Andre De Shields and the cast of the Huntington Theatre Company's THE JUNGLE BOOK sing "Happy Birthday" (a day late) to Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen onstage wtih the cast of the Huntington Theatre Company's THE JUNGLE BOOK

Andre De Shields and Ben Vereen

Ben Vereen greets THE JUNGLE BOOK Music Director Doug Peck as Juli Wood (saxophone), Kevin Carolan (Baloo), and Andre De Shields (King Louie) look on

Vereen, Monique Haley, Jeremy Duvall, and Alka Nayyar

Andre De Shields and Ben Vereen

Andre De Shields, Ben Vereen, and Kevin Carolan