Lions and tigers and warthogs, oh my! Community Players’ Stars of Summer program is bringing a beloved classic to the stage with their upcoming production of “Disney’s The Lion King, Jr.” The impulsive lion cub Simba just can’t wait to be king, but when his evil uncle Scar attempts to take the crown for his own, Simba journeys away from Pride Rock and back again.
The Stars of Summer program is open to ages 8-15, this summer’s production features 62 cast members. The show will run for five performances July 19, 20, 21 at 7:30 p.m. and July 21, 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by contacting the box office at 402-228-1801 or at beatricecommunityplayers.com.
“People have been asking us to do this show for years,” said Tyler Rinne, Community Players Associate Artistic Director, who directs the production. “We were all so glad when the rights finally became available and we were able to put this Disney classic on our schedule.”
The show is known for its characters, settings, and beautiful, fun music by composers Elton John and Tim Rice, with book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi.
“This is such a huge, colorful, elaborate show,” said Rinne. “This show takes you across the African savannah, into an elephant graveyard, and deep into the heart of the jungle. And who can forget memorable characters like Timon and Pumba, Scar and Mufasa, and of course our hero, Simba?”
Rinne says that bringing these characters and settings to life can be challenging, but also rewarding.
“For the kids especially, this is a chance to really inhabit some of their favorite childhood characters,” said Rinne. “And not only that, there is a whole huge ensemble that gets to play almost any animal they can think of. The kids are having a lot of fun onstage this summer.”