Composer and former "The Knack" band member Berton Averre (composer) and lyricist and Christopher Cross side man Rob Meurer (lyricist), have created a musical comedy, Jungle Man! which will begin its world premiere run at Wichita's Mary Jane Theatre at Century II. There will be a preview performance Feb. 9. The show opens Feb. 10 and runs through Feb. 20.

Based on the message that "love is the only language we all understand," this twist on the Greystoke legend stars another "team," the real life husband-and wife Jessica Phillips and Nicholas Rohlfing. In the Jungle Man! story, Tarzan leaves the jungle and follows Jane back to Baltimore with an entourage of his "ape pals."

Directed and choreographed by Daniel Stewart, Jungle Man! features a book by Averre and Meurer. In earlier professional lives, composer Averre was a member of the '80s pop act, The Knack, which rocketed to stardom on the strength of the hit, "My Sharona." Lyricist Meurer was the arranger and keyboardist on Christopher Cross' multiple Grammy Award winning album, "Christopher Cross."

"We have tickets left for all performances, but they're selling pretty well," a theatre source told Playbill On-Line. Post show discussions are being promoted for every performance and pre matinee symposiums are scheduled for Feb. 12 and 13 with the composer, lyricist and director. There are also pay-what-you-can performances and an opening night bash Feb. 10

The Mary Jane Teall Theatre at Century II is located at 225 West Douglas in Wichita, Kansas. For information on ticket availability (the range is $10 - $20) or the special events mentioned above, call Stage One Productions at (316) 262-5330. -- By Murdoch McBride