The Butler Little Theatre Children’s Theatre production, “Jungalbook” by Edward Mast opened at the Butler Little Theatre for a long weekend run. This is not your daddy’s Disney warm fuzzy bedtime story. It is a raw, adapted portrayal of the same story but with an urban vibe.

It took a few scenes to get my bearings but before intermission I was engrossed in the action. Gone is the flora and fauna, replaced by structures befitting of a back alley or perhaps a neglected part of town. The personalities of the jungle remained the same with Baloo, the bear portrayed by Montana Simpson. He deftly played the wise sage of the jungle, the keeper and teacher of the law. His chemistry with Mowgli was sweet and believable.

Mowgli was played by the adorable Naomi Eberle, who couldn’t have been cuter. Her mangy hair, big eyes, impish grin and sense of innocence lent credibility to her character. Her delivery and interactions with her cast mates were a delight.

Bagheera, the panther, was portrayed by Jacob Neurohr. His mannerisms and personality conveyed the role of aloof yet loyal protector of the human.

Carrie Peters was the personification of evil as the tiger, Sherakhan. She morphed into a human version of a tiger, each line dripping with her thirst for blood and revenge. A slight prop malfunction left Peters unfazed as she finished the scene without breaking her character. Her well played intensity was frightening at times.

The wolf pack was played by Christian Cendrowski as Akel with Sydni Ellis and Sam Kravits as Grey and Grab, the quarrelsome and not very loyal littermates.

Director Shannon Donovan squeezed as much talent as she dared on the stage for this unique take on the old classic. While the show had the same ingredients as Rudyard Kipling’s “Jungle Book”, Edward Mast’s take on loyalty, adventure and betrayal tasted a bit different served up with the urban setting.

Enjoyable, at times disturbing, but always well acted, “The Jungalbook” is an experience you won’t soon forget. Still suitable for children, the play runs a tad over an hour.

Additional supporting roles were played by Austin Cook, Madison and Emma Kish, and Spencer Brackets.

Reserved seat tickets are on sale at May’s Music Shoppe for $12. Tickets also are available at the BLT box office 45 minutes before each performance.