The spirit of Africa was alive and roaring at Christ The King church this weekend as the students of Roberta Weiner put on a boffo performance of The Lion King, Jr. From the opening incantations of Rafiki (Lexi Chek) we are swept into “The Circle of Life,” a show stopping number done with a huge cast of lionesses, lions young and old, crafty hyenas, greed, jealousy, a sense of adventure, lust for power and “murder most foul,” linking this show to Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
As in the Disney movie and Broadway show, we follow Young Simba (Makayla Kemmerer) who learns of his future from his masterful father Mufasa (Graham Lemieux) and sings beautifully of his coming reign in “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King.” Mischievous and emboldened, he lures his friend Young Nala (Hailey Worby) to beyond their pride lands and encounters the menacing but charmingly dumb hyenas, with Banzai, Shenzi, Ed and Gus ( Winslow Friend, Connor Frey, Ellie Woods and Cleo Gimourginas ) as their leaders. The evil Scar, who resents the fact that Mufasa is king as older brother instead of him, is played with great skill by Rosie Foley. She captures well the lazy ruthlessness of Scar’s conniving to kill Mufasa and Simba so all will then have to bow down before him. Rosie adriotly sings of his greed in the chilling “Be Prepared.” A bright spot in this dangerous chapter is Zazu, a little bird chaperone who appears in bright blue and fairy wings, delightfully played by Bonnie Stone.
There are numerous expressive dances by the lionesses which are original and not found in the Disney version, choreographed lyrically by Amanda Bigelow. They give the lionesses center stage and echo the emotions of the story as it moves along. The lionesses include Ruby Smith, Samantha Reed, Scarlett Hemming, Ava Snyder, Aoife Johnson, Violet Guenon, as well as Caroline Dean, Gwen Rosen, Makayla Kemmerer, Claire Nielsen and Hailey Worby, who also appear in other scenes. Masks worn by the lionesses make them into stampeding wildebeests as Scar’s trap gives Scar the chance to commit fracticide and dispose of his nephew as well.
Comic relief is generously provided by Timon, a wise cracking meerkat (Gwen Rosen) and his loyal sidekick Pumba (Caroline Dean.) Once they encounter an exhausted Simba, they teach him through the beloved song “Hakuna Matata” not to worry about his past and join up with them. Timon and Pumba provide a laugh track to keep the audience chuckling until Older Nala (Claire Nielsen) encounters Older Simba (Tim Condor.) The charming, beautifully sung duet, “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” reunites the couple. Nala reminds Simba that he is still the rightful king of Pride Rock, but only the return of the wise Rafiki convinces Simba with the haunting song “He Lives In You” that he must return and try to save the dying kingdom. A well played fight scene gives a satisfying ending as all the rest of the hyenas (Addie Zito, Sawyer Smith, Iris Smith, Maverick Swift, George Bailey, Abhi Gogineni, Kendall Heighington and Aisling Ross) chase Scar off the stage.
The gazelle was played by Addie Zito, the mouse by George Gimourginas and the buzzards by Charlotte Christman and Ozzy Stone.
At the final show, it was a treat to see Roberta pass out the paper plate awards. Every child was given an award uniquely phrased for him or her praising their cooperation in making the show a success. Special credit goes to the cast for carrying on without live accompaniment . With recorded music, the melody was not always played and the singers were on their own to get the notes right. Also, there were some new, not familiar Lion King songs to learn. Much praise for all the cast and crew for bringing back this musical that is loved all over the world.
