South Coast Rep's JANE OF THE JUNGLE Premieres Tonight, May 25

Growing up is hard to do-especially if you wake up one day with spots and a tail. In the season's final production of South Coast Repertory's Theatre for Young Audiences series, Jane of the Jungle, a world premiere musical from playwright Karen Zacarias and composer Deborah Wicks La Puma, tells the story of an average girl who is about to undergo some big changes. The show will run on the Julianne Argyros Stage from tonight May 25 – June 10.

Jane is a normal suburban girl, complete with a really nice mom and a bratty little brother. But with middle school looming, Jane is on the verge of some big changes-both exciting and scary. And yet nothing compares with the jolt she gets when she wakes up one morning to discover she has acquired spots, furry ears and a tail! Not only that, but her neighborhood seems to be turning into a jungle!

Renee Brna, who was last seen at SCR in Lucky Duck, will play Jane, and Eymard Cabling (Pride and Prejudice, Oregon Shakespeare Festival) will make his SCR debut as her little brother, Milo. Derek Manson, who has appeared in several of Zacarias' productions, including Einstein is a Dummy at ALLIANCE THEATRE, will play Jane's father, and Jane's mother will be played by Jayme Hood, an SCR regular who appeared in Lucky Duck and Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business. Rounding out the cast are Erika Whalen, who was last seen in Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!, and Elia Saldana, who was nominated for an Ovation Award for her role in Family Planning at Chalk Repertory.

Jane of the Jungle will be directed by Juliette Carrillo, who has directed several SCR productions, including Anna in the Tropics and The Countess. The production's creative ensemble consists of Sara Ryung Clement (Set Design), Garry Lennon(Costume Design), Lonnie Rafael Alcarez (Lighting Design), Sam Lerner (Sound Design), Sheetal Gandhi (choreographer) and Jennifer Ellen Butler (Stage Manager).

Alcon is the Corporate Honorary Producer. OC Family is the Media Partner.

About TYA: SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences presents three professional productions each season designed especially for children and their families. In addition to the public performances, TYA hosts more than 10,000 students from elementary schools annually in an effort to introduce the next generation to the magic of live theater.

TICKETS to Jane of the Jungle can be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or by visiting the box office at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Performances begin on May 25 and continue through June 10. Ticket prices range from $20 to $32. Low-priced previews run May 25 – June 1.

LOCATION: South Coast Repertory is located at 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, at the Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts exit off the San Diego (405) Freeway in the Folino Theatre Center, part of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Parking is available off Anton Blvd. on Park Center Drive.

Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, founded in 1964 by David Emmes and Martin Benson and now under the leadership of Artistic Director Marc Masterson and Managing Director Paula Tomei, is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theatres in the United States. SCR is committed to theatre that illuminates the compelling personal and social issues of our time, not only on its stages but through its wide array of education and outreach programs. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern theatre, SCR is renowned for its extensive new-play development program, which includes the nation's largest commissioning program for emerging and established writers and composers. Each year, it showcases some of country's best new plays in the Pacific Playwrights Festival, which attracts theatre professionals from across the country. Of SCR's more than 450 productions, one-quarter have been world premieres, whose subsequent stagings achieved enormous success throughout America and around the world. Two SCR-developed works have won Pulitzer Prizes, and another eight were named Pulitzer finalists. In addition, SCR works have won several Obie Awards and scores of major new-play awards. Located in Costa Mesa, California, SCR's Folino Theater Center is home to the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio. Today, SCR produces 13 shows and eight public readings each season.

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