A new musical adaptation of Disney’s “The Jungle Book,’’ directed by Mary Zimmerman, will kick off the Huntington Theatre Company’s 2013-2014 season, which will also include world premieres of dramas by Lydia R. Diamond and Melinda Lopez.

In an interview, artistic director Peter DuBois described “The Jungle Book,’’ slated for the Boston University Theatre Sept. 7-Oct. 6, as “the most ambitious show that the Huntington has ever tackled.’’ To be coproduced with Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, which will premiere the work, “The Jungle Book’’ is being adapted by Zimmerman, whose 2011 “Candide’’ at the Huntington won wide acclaim.