The Regals Musical Society will present Disney The Lion King Jr at the Rockdale Town Hall these school holidays.
The abridged musical, designed for young audiences and adults alike, is based on the Broadway production and the 1994 Disney film of the same name.
For The Regals Musical Society's two young casts, performing as all-animal characters on stage has been challenging, but the show has been brought to life by wonderfully designed costumes, and it features cleverly designed puppets with some very unique staging.
The Lion King tells the story of a cub named Simba as he struggles with his past and overcomes his fear to fulfil his destiny as king. Along the way we see the young lion rekindle his relationship with a courageous lioness Nala and form friendships with Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog.
Popular hit songs from the original Lion King movie such as Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel The Love Tonight (written by Sir Elton John and Tim Rice), will also guarantee some sing-a-longs during the performance.
Regals is bringing the production of Disney The Lion King Jr to Rockdale Town Hall with 67 talented young performers who were chosen out of over 150 auditionees for two casts; The younger junior "Cubs" cast and the older youth "Lions" cast.
The cast members, who come from all over Sydney, have thoroughly enjoyed immersing themselves in the characters of their roles, spending time with old friends and making new ones.
Among the cast are 42 St George and Sutherland Shire residents.
Sebastian Mirarchi of Caringbah South is Mufasa in the Cubs cast, Simba's wise, strong and loving father, and king of the Pridelands, whose death is orchestrated by his jealous brother, Scar.
"My favourite Disney movie is Lion King and my favourite Disney character is Mufasa so playing him is the best thing about this musical", Sebastian said.
"What I enjoy the most about the rehearsals is how friendly everyone is and how much fun we have together."
Sebastian recently played Quaxo in CATS Abridged Edition, also with The Regals. He also does acting and has played an extra in TV shows. He is currently rehearsing as Scar at his school with CaSPA Sydney He loves to sing and write songs and would love to be famous one day.
Dani Caruso of Bexley North who plays Rafiki in the Lions cast, started her musical theatre journey as a tree in the Wizard of Oz.
Since then she has been cast in a number of her favourite roles: Belle - Beauty and the Beast (Inaburra), Princess Fiona - Shrek (EMS), and Regina - Rock of Ages (The Regals).
She is very excited to be cast as Rafiki.
"I auditioned for this musical because The Lion King movie is such a bop and I love it," she said.
The Lion King Jr, Friday, September 27 to Sunday, October 6.
