Play has animal appeal

By Casey Gillis

Published: May 15, 2008

E.C. Glass Theatre’s final show of the year is based on the short stories and poems of “Jungle Book” author Rudyard Kipling.

Performances of the musical, called “Just So,” are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 19-23 and 10:30 a.m. May 24 in Glass’ Alumni Studio Theatre.

“It’s about the beginning of time,” says director J.D. Stallings.

The action opens after the Eldest Magician has created the world and filled it with animals. But they all look the same, so he “sends them out into the world to find themselves and become unique and to learn,” Stallings says.

The main character is the elephant’s child, who goes on a quest to stop a crab from flooding the land. Along for the ride is her sidekick, the Kolo Kolo bird.

“She is determined that she’s going to go stop him,” Stallings says, “and along the way, she meets all these other animals,” including a rhinoceros, a giraffe, a zebra, a leopard, a jaguar and a kangaroo.

According to the Web site for “Just So,” each character isn’t a straight-up animal, but more of a human type with animal-like traits and characteristics.

“It’s kind of like ‘Cats,’ but not even as cat-like as that,” Stallings says. “There’s some animal-like movements, but they’re not crawling around the stage.”

Stallings says they chose “Just So” because it’s aimed at children, but has an appeal for adults, too.

“It’s a fun show,” he says. “The music is fun. It’s very varied … to reflect the differences in the characters.”

For the show, Stallings has worked with several student collaborators.

As student tech director, Glass Theatre President Joseph Lass has been in charge of some aspects of the set construction, with guidance from Stallings.

“I’ve given him a lot of responsibility as far as leading the other students,” Stallings says.

Another student, Caroline Springer, designed and constructed all of the costumes, while Chris Barker designed the lighting, which uses 96 lights. The Alumni Studio Theatre usually only uses about 45, says Lass.

“There’s a lot of surprises that happen (in the show),” Lass says. “We have three trap doors that appear out of nowhere, and the lights will probably wow people.”

Glass Theatre is using the show as a fundraiser for the Humane Society and will take $1 off the ticket price if a person brings in a canned pet food item.

If you’re going -- WHAT: E.C. Glass Theatre’s ‘Just So’
-- WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 19-23 and 10:30 a.m. May 24
-- WHERE: Glass’ Alumni Studio Theatre
-- TICKETS: $10 for adults and $8 for students, with $1 off with a canned pet food item is donated. Tickets can be purchased at the box office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays until May 23
-- INFO: Call (434) 522-3712 or visit http://www.ecglasstheatre.org