“The heart that beats in all of us wants to love without limitation. The heart that beats in all of us shows us who we are.”

Join us the weekend before Thanksgiving for the regional premiere of Kamala Sankaram and Kelley Rourke’s The Jungle Book! This opera for all ages tells the story of Mowgli, an endangered human cub who seeks refuge in the jungle with a pack of wolves. The classic Rudyard Kipling story is reinterpreted by Sankaram and Rourke emphasizing themes of community, empathy, and inclusion, sending a powerful message about embracing those who are different, and recognizing “the heart that beats in all of us.” Sankaram creates a powerful sense of place in the score by weaving elements of classical Indian music including ragas and vocal percussion.

Originally commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival. Extended version commissioned by Washington National Opera