Leading Designers Fuse East & West for Premiere of Jungle Book

The Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater’s world premiere of “The Jungle Book,” will feature costumes by leading designer José Solis and masks and headpieces designed by Tentacle Studios, whose clients include Lady Gaga, Kesha, and the Royal Ballet.

The show, which runs in February, is a unique dance musical that blends Indo-American music and dance genres based on the classic book by Rudyard Kipling.

“As one of the newest professional contemporary ballet companies in the United States, we knew that in presenting this new work we needed every element, from set design, to lighting, to choreography and music, to costumes to be innovative and enhance this famous story,” said Choreographer and Artistic Director Gabriel Chajnik.

“We’ve partnered with the best of the best to achieve a visually stimulating dance musical that melds two distinctive cultures!”

Adding to the production’s culturally diverse creative team is costume designer José Solis, who is the son of Cuban immigrant parents. He graduated from Parsons School of Design in 1993 and went on to design women's apparel for some of the most iconic names in fashion like Anne Klein, Ralph Lauren, Emanuel Ungaro, and Oscar de la Renta, Worth and Bill Blass.

"Gabriel and I really wanted to give the iconic characters of this beautiful story a modern twist that truly captured the essence of each one through the unexpected use of fabrics and techniques,” said Solis. “The idea was for the costumes to be comprised of items each character found that were left behind or lost by humans in the jungle. There's a hidden message in the designs, reminding us to preserve the amazingly beautiful jungles that, unfortunately, are threatened by deforestation."

Headpieces for the production are created by Netherlands-based Tentacle Studio, famous for custom-made costumes, props, masks and sculptures. For over 25 years, Tentacle has created original works for clients including celebrities, corporations, cultural foundations and museums. These clients include Hermès, Christian Dior, Lady Gaga, Harrods, as well as also stylists, DJs, body builders, theatres, ballet companies, performers, TV shows and ad agencies worldwide.

“The Jungle Book” runs on February 2 and 9 at 8:00 PM, February 3 at 3:00 PM, and February 10 at 1:00 and 5:00 PM.

To subscribe to the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater’s season or to purchase individual tickets, visit www.axelrodartscenter.comor call the box office at (732) 531-9106 ext. 14. Ticket prices for “The Jungle Book” are: Premium Adult $54; Regular Adult $48; Premium Senior $46; Regular Senior $40; Students $26. Group, senior and student discounts are available.