‘Jungle Book’ production energetic romp through Kipling’s classic

A fifth-grader playing Mowgli seemed to have a great time being adopted by wolves, grabbed by monkeys and stalked by a tiger in an Oklahoma City Theatre Company staging of "The Jungle Book.”

Having almost as much fun as performers were spectators attending this version of Rudyard Kipling’s classic, which opened Friday in the Freede Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.

Piedmont fifth-grader Ethan Power got across the spunk and boyish limitations of Mowgli, trying to learn jungle law and become part of the wolf pack, but half wanting to play with the monkeys, as well.

Paul Armstrong was grouchy and irascible but lovable and loving as the bear, Baloo, Mowgli’s chief instructor, and David Mays gave the right hints of hot-tempered pride to Bagheera the panther.

Clad in a red turban and sash, sporting a red tail, Judson Adair conveyed the unpleasant, villainous qualities of the gimpy tiger, Shere Khan, and Rich Bailey gave the right acidic, jaundiced edge to Kaa, the python.

Doug Van Liew was just world-weary and regal enough as Akela, struggling to maintain his position as the aging leader of the wolf pack, and Deborah Draheim made the mother wolf’s love for Mowgli believable.

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