Children's Theatre of Elgin's 'The Lion King Jr.' roars onto The Hemmens stage

Posted April 17, 2017 11:00 pm

By Karen Karner Children's Theatre of Elgin

Pounce into the Pridelands with Children's Theatre of Elgin and their performance of Disney's "The Lion King Jr." on The Hemmens Cultural Center stage this weekend, April 21-23.

The musical is a shorter version based on the Disney movie with music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, additional musical and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer, original book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, and based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor.

The cast includes 98 young people from the Fox Valley area ranging in age from 7 to 15 years in this production that features favorite songs from the Disney movie as well as newer ones from the Broadway production.

"The stage version of the 'The Lion King' journeys further into Simba's relationship with his father using the beautiful song 'They Live in You,' as well as giving the audience a bit more information about Nala in her powerful solo 'Shadowlands,'" explains producer and CTE alumna Catie Early. "I've loved witnessing the rehearsal process for this show and seeing the performers get an entirely new look at a story they've known for most of their lives."

As in the stage production, colorful costumes and clever puppetry help bring the animals to life on stage. Audience members will recognize songs such as "The Circle of Life" and "Be Prepared," and see familiar characters like the delightfully goofy duo of Timon and Pumbaa as they "Hakuna Matata" their way across the stage.

"Ultimately, this is a Disney show full of Disney silliness and Disney imagination," says director Becky Groth. "If that's what this adventure provides for you, then we've done our job and done it with pride. But just maybe it will also give you something to think about."

Disney's "The Lion King Jr." will be presented at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, with seating limited to just 750 tickets per performance. Evening performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, and afternoon matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Visit www.CTEelgin.com or call (847) 214-7550.

From left, Ally Belick as Zazu, Morgan Miller as Mufasa, and Kendall Burns as Rafiki rehearse a scene from Children's Theatre of Elgin's upcoming production of "The Lion King Jr." COURTESY OF CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF ELGIN

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