Bluefield Youth Theatre to Present ‘The Lion King, Jr.’

Bluefield College’s Youth Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. in BC’s Harman Auditorium on April 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 28 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior adults. Admission is free for Bluefield College faculty, staff and students.

Based on Disney’s The Lion King, The Lion King, Jr. takes place as the young lion cub Simba is learning from his father, Mufasa, how to become the king of all animals. Tragedy strikes, and Simba meets two unlikely mentors, Timon and Pumbaa, a warthog and meerkat, who step in to finish Mufasa’s training, though it is not quite what was originally planned. The wise baboon Rafiki, however, teaches Simba the most important lesson of all: “he lives in you.“

The play features all of the songs from the original movie and stage play — “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” and many more. In fact, Alexandra Stout, music director and BC theatre and music sophomore, said that now that rehearsals are underway, she is excited to teach the music to the cast members. She has already taught the younger members “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.”

“I’m most excited about seeing how the dance, music, and costumes come together. It’s going to be a beautiful show!” – Mary Jones, assistant stage director

The cast for the production includes:

• Rafiki, played by Diana Moir;
• Mufasa, played by Luke Saferight;
• Sarabi, played by Hannah Minnix;
• Zazu, played by Connor Miller;
• Scar, played by Brian Fisher;
• Young Simba, played by Elias Stout;
• Simba, played by Noah Munique;
• Young Nala, played by Kate Sheets;
• Nala, played by Sarah Jacobs;
• Sarafina, played by Payton Rice;
• Banzai, played by Aiden Stout;
• Shenzi, played by Rachel White;
• Ed, played by Zach Bowman;
• Timon, played by Adyn Daniels; and
• Pumbaa, played by Owen Cagle.

Mary Jones, assistant stage manager and a BC senior theatre and English major, said the cast is “so incredibly talented” and “very dedicated to making the show the best it can be.”

“I could tell they were excited to do the show,” she said, “because they had fun singing.”

The production also features a number of students and community members (see lists below) to fill the roles of the lionesses, the hyenas, and the musical ensemble.

Stout encourages members of the Bluefield community to attend the production, stating that they will enjoy all of the music from the movie and Broadway production.

“We are working hard to blow the audience away with all of the aspects of the show.” – Alexandra Stout, music director

For more information about The Lion King, Jr. or additional details about Bluefield Youth Theatre, contact the Bluefield College Theatre Department by phone at 276-326-4244 or by email at creese@bluefield.edu.