FHS PRESENTING ‘THE LION KING JR.’ APRIL 14-15
The theater department at Freeman Public School is preparing “The Lion King Jr.” for a performance at the Freeman High School gym next Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15 starting at 7:30 p.m. each night.
It is under the leadership of artistic director Iwona Lewter, music director Sonja Waltner, technical director Sheila Wipf and student assistant Rylie Gossen, and features a cast of 15 and a company of 34 more.
“The Lion King Jr.” is based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor and the 1994 Disney film and tells the story of the epic adventures of a curious cub named Simba (Caden Waltner/Zac Sayler) as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as king. Along the way, the young lion encounters a colorful cast of characters including spunky lioness Nala (Ryleigh Dent), charismatic meerkat Timon (Blake Stahl) and loveable warthog Pumbaa (Treyton Waltner). To claim his rightful place on the throne and save his beloved Pridelands, Simba must find his inner strength and confront his wicked Uncle Scar.
The show features classic songs from the 1994 film such as “Hakuna Matata” and the Academy Award-winning “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” as well as additional songs penned for the Broadway production.
The cast is as follows:
Rafiki – Sam Gering
Mufasa – Tyce Benjamin
Sarabi – Megan Rollag
Zazu – Alyssa Dent
Scar – Dorthea Naatjes
Young Simba – Caden Waltner
Young Nala – Brianna Bolin
Sarafina – Lindsey Maske
Shenzi – Ava Anderson
Banzai – Kate Miller
Ed – Kaytlin Pankratz
Timon – Blake Stahl
Pumbaa – Treyton Waltner
Simba – Zac Sayler
Nala – Ryleigh Dent
Lionesses: Ella Waltner, Olivia Smith, Ellie Anderson, Erica Swensen, Rylee Law, Claire Hofer, Justice Mehlhaf, Peyton McCune,
Hyenas: Riley Knittel, Korie Ortman, Cami Fransen, Hunter Beynon, Sawyer Wipf, Luke Peters, Jon Law, Richard Salis, Dominic Grear,
Animals of the Pridelands/Grassland/Wildebeests: Jazzy Tschetter, Aubrey Gamble, Annika Endy, Brooklyn Robinson, Ruth Glanzer, Reagan Mehlbrech, Summer Fuller, Cambria Bolm, Emily Cortes, Sam Fransen
Animals of the Pridelands/Wildebeests: Christopher Aasen , Luis Cortes, Christopher Flores, Cameron Rollag, Julian Virgus, AJay Watson, Tristan Schrag
