RENO — Wild jungle creatures crept out of the eaves at Renown Regional Medical Center on Tuesday to the awe of many wide-eyed children.

More than 20 locals ranging from elementary school children to college-aged actors donned face paint and furry tails for Theater Works of Northern Nevada’s presentation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” The play, which had its second and final performance at Renown, was part of the Artown festivities.

“Many people are not aware that ‘The Jungle Book’ story comes out of India,” director Rod Hearn said. “We wanted to put it in more of a Bollywood setting. I wanted to play up the idea that it has its root in India.”

Hearn, a drama teacher at Damonte Ranch High School, held auditions in May that attracted children of all ages who wanted to stay active and involved while they were out of school for the summer months.

“We had a nice group of kids,” Hearn said. “It’s been a pleasure working with them.”

The role of Bagheera went to college sophomore Elizabeth Mahoney.

“I enjoyed doing it,” said Mahoney, a graduate of Damonte Ranch High School and current student at Brigham Young University, Idaho. “It really was a blast.”

The audience was filled to overflowing as family members and friends waited for the show to begin. Children who were out of school both participated in the play as actors and watched the play as supporters.

Young playgoer Mikey Orton, 6, was excited to see the characters on stage that she had only previously seen in Disney films.

“My favorite is Baloo, because he is funny,” Mikey said as she sat with her sisters and grandmother waiting for the show to start.

Both Hearn and representatives from Renown were happy about what the summer performing arts brought to local children.

“Renown has hosted activities such as this as a part of Artown for many years,” said Jan Johnson, Renown’s volunteer director for the healing arts program and an avid supporter of arts for children. “We feel this is very important for the community and for our youth.”