Roxey Ballet Presents MOWGLI, the Jungle Book Ballet

Roxey Ballet presents three family-friendly performances of "Mowgli" at The College of New Jersey's Kendall Hall on May 5 and 6. This full-length ballet based on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, tells the story of a young boy raised by a wolf pack in India. These performances, featuring original choreography by Mark Roxey, run Saturday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m. (Sensory-Friendly) and 4:00 p.m. and again on Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.

"Mowgli" is a part of Roxey Ballet's annual Children's Classic Stories series.

Roxey Ballet's interpretation of The Jungle Book closely follows the narrative set out by Kipling with all of the story's most memorable characters; Mowgli (the boy), Kaa (the python), Baloo (the bear), Bagherra (the black panther), and many other jungle characters are introduced through the action. "Reading Kipling's book again and again as a child, and now with my own kids, I always knew it would provide a treasure-trove of material to set to movement and music, with lavish sets and colorful animal costumes," explained Mark Roxey, founder and director of Roxey Ballet.

Roxey, a Brooklyn, New York native who trained at and danced for the acclaimed Joffrey Ballet in New York City said: "Mowgli has so many incredible adventures--fighting a tiger, being abducted by monkeys, hanging out with a bear and a black panther, and ultimately returning to a human village. This is a great story for serious ballet enthusiasts, as well as families introducing their children to professional dance."

First presented during Roxey Ballet's 2014 season, "Mowgli" includes a number of enhancements. "Each time we have a production in our repertory it gives us a wonderful chance to make adjustments that increase the audience's connection to the dance performance," said Roxey. The hour-long production features award-winning original music by Czech composer Milan Svoboda and original costumes by Flemington, New Jersey costume designer Alicia Worden and New York City costume designer Nilda Roxey-Jones.

"Mowgli" features Roxey Ballet's company dancers alongside dance students and pre-professional dancers from the community. "The Children's Classic Stories are an incredible opportunity each year for dance students in the community, some as young as 5 years-old, to audition for a ballet and then to experience all the rigors and rewards of professional dance," said Melissa Roxey, co-founder of Roxey Ballet and director of the Mill Ballet School in Lambertville.

Roxey Ballet offers a Sensory-Friendly performance of "Mowgli" for audience members with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensitivity issues or special needs on Saturday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m. This performance features lower sound and lighting levels, the elimination of potentially startling special effects, relaxed house rules so audience members may move throughout the theater as needed, the availability of fidget objects and earplugs as well as activity areas in the lobby. Certified staff, ushers and volunteers from a wide variety of autism service agencies, schools and organizations are on hand for this performance. Tickets for the Sensory-Friendly matinee are $20.00. Kendall Hall is located on the campus of The College of New Jersey at 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, New Jersey. General admission seating may be purchased online at RoxeyBallet.org or by phone at (609) 397-7616. Tickets range from $20.00 to $50.00.

Roxey Ballet is a world class, all-inclusive contemporary ballet company that uses dance to build community and cultural bridges. The company maintains a full schedule of local, national and international touring. Based in Lambertville, New Jersey, Roxey Ballet was incorporated in 1995 as a New Jersey non-profit organization whose mission is to deliver artistic and cultural excellence through professional dance performances, residencies, educational programs, workshops and master classes. The company takes pride in its multicultural and all-inclusive organization, fostering a creative environment of growth for all. Roxey Ballet is fully accessible to those with disabilities.

Roxey Ballet's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Merck Foundation,, Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission, and individuals and businesses.

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