THE JUNGLE BOOK Extends at Valley Youth Theatre Through 3/2

Due to popular demand, The Jungle Book is being held over at Valley Youth Theatre through March 2. Three more performances have been added - one on Saturday, March 1 at 11 a.m. and two on Sunday, March 2 at 12 and 3 p.m.

This adventure-comedy is based on Rudyard Kipling's short stories about a boy named Mowgli who raised by wolves, befriended by a bear and hunted by a tiger.

"The theme of this story runs deeper than 'a boy and a bear'," said Producing Artistic Director Bobb Cooper. "It deals with some complex issues like adoption, prejudice and finding one's own identity."

The show's geographically-diverse cast, ages 9 to 18, include Vincent Jacovo (Mowgli) from Surprise, siblings Sophia and Erick Deyden (Mother Wolf, Father Wolf) from Mesa, as well as Tim Oakes (Baloo) and Destiny Walsh (Bagheera) from Gilbert where both attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Remaining cast members include Constantino DeAngelis (Cub) from Anthem, Kaila Inman (Funky) from Scottsdale, Alexandra Kirby (Black Kite #2) from Paradise Valley, Josh Pike (Tabaqui) from Peoria, Katy Sprowls (Kaa) from Tempe, and Eli West (Wolf #1) from Goodyear. From Phoenix are Sophia Drapeau (Black Kite #1), Cole Flowers (Wolf #2), William Harris (Shere Khan), Anand Khalsa (Akela), Zane Niezgodzki (Cheeky), Ethan Shanker (Trout), and Hayley Trueman (Black Kite #3).

Tickets to The Jungle Book are only $18.00 each, plus service fees, and available online at VYT.com or by calling the box office at 602.253.8188 x2.