Washington National Opera presents
Jungle Book
A contemporary retelling of the children’s classic
featuring D.C.’s Taal Academy of Dance
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater
December 13–16, 2024
(WASHINGTON)—Washington National Opera presents a new holiday opera—Jungle Book—by composer Kamala Sankaram and librettist Kelley Rourke. This family-friendly presentation retells Rudyard Kipling’s classic through a contemporary lens by framing Mowgli as a refugee trying to find safety in a new environment.
Jungle Book was originally commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival with WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello. WNO’s presentation includes an expanded orchestration and new arias and choreography. The central character, Mowgli, is an endangered human cub who seeks refuge with a pack of wolves. Should the pack accept Mowgli, even if it means making an enemy of Shere Khan, the lawless tiger?
To better reflect the setting of the story, Sankaram created a sound that incorporates classical music traditions from India, her father’s homeland, along with Western operatic elements. “Classical music in India, like European classical music, has a very rich tradition. A lot of the formal approach comes from the 14th-century courts,” says Sankaram. “Its structure and complexity derive from rhythmic cycles and melodic improvisation rather than harmonic development.” Rhythm comes to the forefront in Jungle Book through Indian dance as well, in a collaboration with D.C.’s own Taal Academy of Dance. “It is my hope that borrowing equally from both traditions will not only serve to create a sense of place within the opera,” says Sankaram, “but will leave our young artists and audiences with a greater sense of the world and the commonalities shared between cultures.”
Erik Teague, who designed the fantastical costumes for last season’s The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me, will again lend his imagination to rendering the jungle menagerie on stage, along with set designer James Rotondo. The cast includes several Cafritz Young Artists and youth chorus and dancers. The role of Mowgli will be shared by Vivian Warren and Anoushka Sharma. The presentation is conducted by Stephanie Rhodes Russell and codirected by Francesca Zambello and Brenna Corner.
Jungle Book
Music by Kamala Sankaram
Libretto by Kelley Rourke
December 13–15, 2024 in the Terrace Theater
In English with projected English Titles
Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 12 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 12 p.m.
Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 5 p.m.
Monday, December 16, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Cast
Mowgli Vivian Warren
Anoushka Sharma*
Little Brother Declan Fennell*
Bagheera Kresley Figueroa^
Hyena Viviana Goodwin^
Raksha Michelle Mariposa^
Baloo Sergio Martínez^
Shere Khan Sahel Salam^
Creatives
Conductor Stephanie Rhodes Russell
Co-directors Francesca Zambello
Brenna Corner
Choreographer Shuchi Buch*
Set designer James Rotondo
Costume designer Erik Teague
Lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker
* Washington National Opera debut
^ Member of the Cafritz Young Artist program
Originally commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
ABOUT WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA
Washington National Opera (WNO) is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. Under the leadership of General Director Timothy O’Leary and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, the company presents compelling works at the highest levels of artistry across the Kennedy Center, balancing the standard repertory with new and infrequently performed works. Each season the WNO seeks to shape the future of opera through commissioned American works and a variety of special concerts, youth operas, and events.
Founded in 1956 and an artistic affiliate of the Kennedy Center since 2011, WNO has a storied legacy of groundbreaking world premieres and new productions, digitally streamed content, and innovative education and community-engagement programs. In recent years, WNO has championed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging onstage by championing artists and creators who identify as BIPOC, women, and non-binary.
Recent artistic highlights include a new production of Puccini’s unfinished opera Turandot with a world premiere ending by Christopher Tin and Susan Soon He Stanton; the world premiere of Grounded by Jeanine Tesori and George Brandt; a new production of Strauss’ Elektra starring Christine Goerke; the D.C. premiere of Jeanine Tesori and Tazewell Thompson’s Blue, commissioned by Zambello; Terence Blanchard’s Champion, commissioned by O’Leary; and the WNO’s first complete Ring Cycle, helmed by Zambello.
WNO is committed to expanding opera’s reach and fostering new generations of artists and audiences. The Cafritz Young Artists program is one of the most sought-after training residencies for singers and pianists on the verge of international careers. WNO’s other initiatives include the American Opera Initiative, the annual Marian Anderson Vocal Award, the Artist Ambassador program, and the True Voice Award.
WNO education programs include in-person and digital Opera Look-In performances, WNO Opera Institute, Opera in the Outfield®, free pre-concert lectures and post-show Q&As after many shows, and the Let’s Go There discussion series.
Funding Credits
The WNO Season Sponsor is General Dynamics.
The Official Airline of the WNO Season is American Airlines.
Major support provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.
Additional support provided by Chevron.
Additional support provided by Paul M. Angell Family Foundation.
Sponsorship for Kresley Figueroa and Sergio Martinez generously provided by Scott Plumridge.
Ticket Information
Tickets may be purchased online at kennedy-center.org, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, or by calling (202) 467-4600.
Media Contacts
David Hsieh
Senior Press Representative, Classical
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
(202) 416 8093
[email protected]
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