RESIDENT COMPANY
Carolina Ballet Theatre Presents the Jungle Book Ballet
CBT reinvents the Jungle Book and partners with Delvin Choice
Carolina Ballet Theatre’s Spring Season begins with a unique, adaptation of the Jungle Book. This storybook ballet is based on the collection of short stories, written by Rudyard Kipling while drawing influence from many of the famed Jungle Book movies. However, the Jungle Book Ballet, much like many of the Carolina Ballet Theatre performances will contain a unique, Greenville twist.
For this performance, Carolina Ballet Theatre has teamed up with local and nationally acclaimed singer and performer, Delvin Choice. Choice, who grew up in Greenville and attended the Fine Arts Center, has a unique draw to ballet and the theatre. “Theatre is where I started, classical music is what I love, and dance has been an important part of my life,” said Choice when discussing his participation in the ballet. Choice will perform two songs during the ballet, and he will act as the narrator, guiding the audience through this unique Jungle Book adaptation. Jungle Book Ballet will feature a unique storyline, centering on the life of Mowgli, a baby abandoned in the Jungles of India and discovered by Bagheera, the Panther.
The ballet will follow Mowgli as he grows and sets on an adventure to the human village, acting as an ambassador for the animals. On his mission, he will encounter classic characters like Baloo the Bear and Kaa the Snake. But this unique retelling features the thematic tales of love and forgiveness. Mowgli encounters Shanti, a beautiful human girl, and his life will forever change. Mowgli will face off with Shanti’s father and brother who set out to mine gems from a temple controlled by monkey’s, and will ultimately be called upon to save the jungle from fire and make peace between the animal kingdom and the human realm. This fantastical production is choreographed by, and under the artistic direction of, Hernan Justo. Families, children, and art lovers alike won’t want to miss this mythical ballet as it transcends the imagination and creates a world of courage, adventure and ultimately, love. In addition to performances by Delvin Choice and Carolina Ballet Theatre Company Dancers, the Jungle Book Ballet will feature aerial artist Kelly VanLeeuwen and professional, guest dancers: Anthony Schweighardt from Charlotte ballet, John Aaron Brewer from Louisville Ballet, and Mary Kate Reynolds from Delaware ballet. Carolina Ballet Theatre’s Jungle Book Ballet debuts on March 4th at the Gunter Theatre, in downtown Greenville. The production will have two showings, at 1:30 in the afternoon and 5:30 PM. Don’t miss this epic tale, where ballet, song, and storytelling bring the jungles of India to life. For tickets and more information, please visit carolinaballet.org or call the Peace Center at 864-467-3000.