Courtesy Photo­Image

More than 50 local youth have been preparing to bring the timeless tale Jungle Book to life next weekend at the North Platte Community Playhouse.

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Two performances are planned, at 7 p.m. July 21 and at 2 p.m. July 22, at the downtown Neville Center for Performing Arts -- the old Fox Theater.

Students have been practicing in a workshop setting that began July 9.

During the workshop, students learn about all aspects of theatrical production, as well as developing skills in cooperation, communication and creativity, organizers say.

Adapted from the Rudyard Kipling novel by Vera Morris, Jungle Book tells the story of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, and his adventures with the creatures of the jungle.

Mowgli is taught the law of the jungle by his teachers and friends -- Baloo the Bear, Kaa the Python and Bagheera the panther. Mowgli also encounters the evil tiger Shere Khan and his minion Tabaqui as well as many other creatures.

Viewers will watch Mowgli learn the lessons of life and rise to the top of the jungle hierarchy.

The workshop is made possible by the support from Kwik Stop Food Stores as well as playhouse patrons and season members.

Directors are Scott Carlson and Lou Fornander, along with Assistant Directors Brin Brauer and Britnee Fear.

Admission is a free-will donation to support The North Platte Community Playhouse.

The cast:

Mowgli - Luke McKeon

Nyra - Emma Petersen

Chitra - Courtney Pelland

Rikki-Tikki - Savanna States

Baloo - Cassie Brown

Bagheera - Case Axthelm

Father Wolf - Jacob Granger

Mother Wolf - Tallyn Simpson

Tabaqui - Ciera Carlson

Kaa - Seth Mavigliano

Mang - Emma Wilkinson

Mor - Beth Goentzel

Wolf 1 - Drew Phillips

Wolf 2 - Whitney Miller

Wolf 3 - Breanna Patterson and Isabel Roberg

King Monkey - Derek Patterson

Monkey 1 - Ashley Kosmicki, Chloe Wiegand

Monkey 2 - Kinsley Ballentine, Abby Young

Shere Khan - Tabitha Sprunk

Messua - Zoe Hipp

Toomai - Bridget McKeon

Cobra - George Gipe

Villagers - Morgan Baker, Morgan Fischer, Tierney Coons

Wolves - Valerie Harper, Tayten Wilson, Paige Van Skiver, Natalie Miller, Katelyn Moenning, Jenny Moenning, Joshua Nila, Andy Kittle, Jett Simpson and Aidan McAdam

Jungle Creatures - Nick Anderson, Noah Pettit, Riley Pettit, Rebecca Ady, Abby Carter, Taylin McCreery, Aiden Linden, Delaney Bocott, Shayna Buker

Stage Managers - Grady Lashley, John Kelly