Cast of 90 Medina fifth-, sixth-graders entertain with ‘Jungle Book’

Students performed for full houses at Clifford Wise Intermediate School

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Jacob Foley starred as Mowgli last week during performances of “The Jungle Book Kids” at Clifford Wise Intermediate School. Mowgli was lost and abandoned as a baby boy and was raised by wolves.

A cast of 90 fifth- and sixth-graders put on the show during four performances for about 1,300 people total. Anna Ferlito served as musical director. They worked since September to prepare for last week’s shows.

Last year, Clifford Wise performed Aladdin Jr. in the spring in the school’s first musical led by Ferlito. This year the show shifted to the fall so Ferlito can co-direct the high school musical in the spring.

Vincent Hosmer plays the role of Shere Khan, a tiger that decides that Mowgli is no longer welcome in the jungle. Shere Khan intimidates many of the other animals.

Harlow Rhim plays the role of Kaa, a snake that lulls Mowgli to sleep while Kaa sings “Trust in Me.” The snake coils include William Mojeski, Melody Pawlaczyk, Arik Papaj, Cadence Truesdell, Jace Campisano, Violet Trilizio, Emily Smith Flately and Bethany Chavez.

Kole Jones is the wiley King Louie, left center, and Amonte Mortenson-Chamblee is Baloo, a bear disguised as a very big monkey. They are singing, “I Wan’na Be Like You.”

Students created the artistic elements to turn the stage into a jungle scene.

Jill Vader is Colonel Hathi doing an inspection of the Elephant Army.

Shanti  is played by Amber O’Kussick. Shanti is a girl from the Man Village. When Mowgli sees her, he is enchanted by her and decides to leave the jungle to live amongst humans in the village.

Bagheera, a panther played by Avery Twitchell, and Baloo, a giant fun-loving bear played by Amonte Mortenson-Chamblee, sing “The Bare Necessities.” Bagheera tries to keep Mowgli safe from predators, including Shere Kahn.