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71 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, August 3, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2004 Rachel Ost, 17, leads �monkey people� in a rehearsal of �The Jungle Book,� playing at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater Saturday. The musical is a production of the Missoula Children�s Theater and features local children. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli It’s a ‘Jungle’ in there Missoula Children’s Theater casts local kidsin production set for the Craterian stage By JACI SCHNEIDER Mail Tribune With a man-cub, a wolf and a jackal all living under one roof, the Ost family house is no longer a home — it’s a jungle. Rachel, Kelsey and Taylor Ost have made acting a family affair. The three Jacksonville siblings will star in the Missoula Children’s Theater production of "The Jungle Book" Saturday at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford. About 230 local kids auditioned Monday for the musical version of "The Jungle Book." Traveling directors Brandy Estep and Joshua Eleazer of Missoula Children’s Theater cast 64 actors and six assistant directors for the production. Rachel Ost, 17, will play the part of the boy-cub, Mowgli; Kelsey, 15, will play a wolf; and Taylor, 13, will play Tabaqui. "He’s like Shere Khan’s lackey," Taylor said. Advertisement Although Taylor was given his character only a few days ago, he has his lines and songs down. The cast has been practicing every day this week at the Craterian. The "monkeys," all ages 6 and 7, leave after lunch while the older kids stay until 2:30 p.m. The super-speed musical is possible because of the expertise and resources of Missoula Children’s Theater, which sends the two directors, costumes and sets to venues around the country. The theater began sending directors to Medford in 1997. "I think they’re really good at what they do," Kelsey said. "The directors have it so down." This is the Ost family’s fourth year of participating in the traveling play, and Kelsey and Taylor said they plan to keep auditioning until they turn 18, the age limit for participants. The kids have so much fun acting in the annual play that the Osts plan their summer vacation around it, Kelsey said. Last year, she played Gretel in "Hansel and Gretel." Even with all their expertise, the siblings aren’t immune to butterflies. "I’ll probably get a little nervous," Kelsey admitted. Kids won’t be the only nervous ones Saturday. Parents also will have their fair share of butterflies as they watch their children perform. Eric Hamilton said he plans to come to both shows on Saturday to see his 6-year-old son, Brody, monkey around. "He doesn’t have any lines, just monkey sounds," Hamilton said. "All I hear all day is monkey sounds." This is Brody’s first year to act in the production and at 6, he’s in the youngest age group of actors. "He’s so proud," Hamilton said. "He says he’s an actor now." Brody’s pride isn’t unwarranted; he was cast from the biggest audition the directors have held in their seven-week tour, said co-director Estep. "That’s a lot of kids to organize," Hamilton said. "It’s great — what a neat opportunity for them." "Performing is really fun," Taylor said. "It’s just fun all around," he added, darting off to rehearse his lackey duties. If you go What : "The Jungle Book," a musical by the Missoula Children’s Theatre featuring local children. When : 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Where : Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, Medford. Tickets : $10 for adults, $7 for children up to age 12. Call 779-3000. Reach intern Jaci Schneider at 776-4477. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times