Nala (Reese Minnette) joins hands with Simba (Marshall Horton) and Rafiki (Gracie Leonard) during Crawfordsville Middle School’s adaptation of the Lion King Jr.
The Pride Lands are coming to Crawfordsville.
Join Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and all the cast of characters from the 1994 Disney hit the Lion King as they make their way onto the stage inside Connie Meek Auditorium at Crawfordsville High School.
The curtain will go up Friday and Saturday for Crawfordsville Middle School’s presentation of Lion King Jr.
The musical is under the direction of Jennie Fights. She said the cast of 50 students — including 20 making their musical debuts — have been working since late August for this weekend’s show.
Fights said that while people may have seen Lion King Jr. in the past, this rendition is a newer version and it will make its Montgomery County debut Friday.
“I try to do shows that people have not seen,” she said.
Fights said the musical features 13 songs, pulling from the movie, as well as the hit Broadway show.
“I’ve wanted to do this show for a couple of years,” Fights said. “I finally have enough boys to do it. There’s a lot of male roles in it. It’s super fun. It fit the kids I have this year.”
The story is of a young lion cub and future king of the Pride Lands, Simba (Marshall Horton). Simba’s father, Mufasa (Landon Timmons) is murdered by Scar (Sam Doty), Simba’s uncle who is jealous for the throne. Scar guilts Simba into thinking his father’s death was his fault. Simba escapes an attempt on his life by the three hyenas — Shenzi (Carrie Pool), Banzi (Eric Demoret) and Ed (Josh Fuller) — and leaves the Pride Lands for a carefree life of eating bugs with his new friends Timon (Eli Reeves) and Pumbaa (Jesse Watson).
His life comes full circle when Rafiki (Gracie Leonard) and Nala (Reese Minnette) learn Simba is alive and they convince him to abandon his hammock and return home to challenge his uncle and take his rightful place as king.
For Horton, this is his third musical, but his first lead. He enjoys being in the musical because most of his friends are involved and he can meet new people.
A unique aspect to the role for Horton, he plays Simba as a cub and as an adult. He said that he sings at a higher range when his character is young and a lower range for songs when his character is older.
“I really worked hard this recent summer to build up my voice,” Horton said. “I worked with a lot of people. John Blair really helped me expand my range.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. Children 6 and younger are free.
THE CAST & CREW:
Rafiki: Gracie Leonard
Young Simba/Simba: Marshall Horton
Young Nala/Nala: Reese Minnette
Baby Simba/Simba Jr.: Weasley
Timon: Eli Reeves
Pumbaa: Jesse Watson
Scar: Sam Doty
Zazu: Josh Hacker
Mufasa: Landon Timmons
Sarabi: Tori Abston
Sarafina: Megan Nicoson
Shenzi: Carrie Pool
Banzai: Eric Demoret
Ed: Josh Fuller
Hyenas: Loraelei Schmitzer-Torbert, Elizabeth Bowling, Emma Richardson, Kourtney Eubank, Cadence Gilland, Sarah Morton, Emma Cornett, MJ Brooks
Lionesses: Xyrine DeJesus, Lilly Klingbeil, Natalie Dossett, Allyson Barton, Shea Williamson, Alyx Bannon, Taedyn Cook, Halle Smith, Logan Hall, Marla Gutierrez, Natalie Dossett, Winter Helsel
Ensemble: Destiny Scruggs, Savanna Mattox, Frannie Fuller, Emily Bost, Hailey Snow, Lily McDorman, Shelby Greene, Trinity Deck, Kadee Vaught, Brooklyn Mills,
Faith Richardson
Tech Crew: Steven Haniford, Haley Nicoson, Tori Tesmer, Demi Haas, Tayla Haas, Betsy Swift, Sammie Amidon, Chase Gobel, Cameron Tyo, Clayton Tyo
Director: Jennie Fights
Choreographer and Lighting Design: Lisa Warren
Set Design: Laurie Vellner
Sound Design: Dan Wills
