HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC's Theatre for Young People presents “Jungalbook,” an evocative tale of loyalty, courage, adventure and betrayal based upon the classic masterpiece by Rudyard Kipling, on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center on the Harrisburg Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.

Adapted by Edward Mast and directed by Brenda Eppley, HACC theater professor, “Jungalbook” weaves the exotic jungle and urban junkyard into a backdrop that illustrates the story of Mowgli, the boy who is discovered and raised by a wolf pack. Navigating through the animal gangs, Mowgli must choose whether to defy the law or leave the jungle forever, and ultimately must confront his greatest fear – the Bengal tiger Sherakhan. The modern adaptation presents the theme of bullying in a way that children can relate and understand.

“I find it vastly rewarding when a difficult subject can be creatively presented to children in the hopes of beginning a dialogue regarding their personal experiences. Kipling’s stories were frequently interlaced with the violence and realities of living in a jungle – realities that often portrayed the outcome of intense bullying,” said Eppley.

The cast of “Jungalbook” includes Josh Dieter, as Baloo; Allison Chester, as Grab; Rashaun Bailey, as Grey; Guila Einhorn, as Akela; Mabel Schreffler, as Bagheera; Dakota Eschenmann, as Sherakhan; Harrison Foster, as Mowgli; Ben Rand, as Perchy/Buffalo; Glenn Muir, as Hathi; Deja Hunter, as Kaa; Benjamin Dean, as Chil; Caitlyn Davis, as Hyena; and Bradley Erb, as Human.

“Jungalbook” will be performed for the public on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, and the production is appropriate for ages nine and older. The box office is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour prior to show time. For tickets, call 717-231-ROSE (7683) or visit www.hacc.edu/RLAC.

Since 1989, Theatre for Young People has provided an affordable venue for area young people to celebrate and gain exposure to theatre. The cast will spend the week leading up to Saturday’s matinee performing for elementary school groups in a theatre outreach.

Eppley said, “Theatre can be a powerful mechanism for educating audiences. By utilizing recognizable personifications of Kipling’s original characters, we hope to appeal to the imaginations of our young audience and perhaps motivate discussions regarding the devastating reality of bullying in our society.”

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers more than 150 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to nearly 20,000 students at campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through online classes. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit www.hacc.edu.