Bringing family favourite to life
Published 4:19pm 3 November 2021
Embark on an African adventure with Simba, when The Lion King JR roars to life on the stage at Mueller Performing Arts Centre this week.
The musical is based on the 1994 Disney animated film and the 1997 Broadway adaptation.
Mueller College Artistic Director Di Schmidt says 112 pupils are involved in the production, to be staged on November 5 and 6.
Most of the performers are primary school-aged with two Year 7 students taking on specialist roles.
This will be the college’s first production with pupils from early primary school (Years 1-3) in lead roles.
Ms Schmidt says auditions were held for younger students in the hunt for two lead characters, which were filled by girls from Year 2.
As a result, more than 20 pupils from Years 1-3 are now part of the ensemble, taking on an animal character for the first and last numbers and performing with the broader ensemble throughout.
It has been a good chance for older pupils to mentor the younger cast members.
Young Simba will be played by Lily Rossetto (Year 2), while Micah Rossman (Year 5) will perform as older Simba.
Young Nala will be played by Ellha De Franz (Year 2), while Charlotte Bird (Year 6) will play grown-up Nala.
Ms Schmidt says Charlotte Westaway (Year 7) is exceptional as Rafiki.
It has been a long road to this point, with auditions starting in term 1 and rehearsals from the first week in term 2.
“It’s a coming-of-age story about a prince who understands and learns his part in life and how he has to fulfill his role and take responsibility for his past ... how he uses his position to help the pride rather than hinder the pride,” Ms Schmidt says.
“There’s also the circle of life … passing on that knowledge to the next generation.”
Ms Schmidt says The Lion King is an iconic children’s story that appeals to audiences of all ages.
“It’s full of really well-written songs and music. It’s very colourful and bright and happy and the kids love it. It’s going to be full of energy and fun,” she says.
Show details
What: The Lion King JR
When: November 5 at 7pm and November 6 at 7pm.
Where: Mueller Performing Arts Centre, 75 Morris Rd, Rothwell
Tickets: $17 adults and children, $60 family (two adults, two children)
Visit: mueller.qld.edu.au to buy tickets
Related Stories
Top Stories
Dolphins: Earning ‘NRL powerhouse’ status
As the Dolphins’ second season in the NRL ramps up, we take a look at the numbers which prove they’re more than the ‘feel-good’ story of 2023 – they are a genuine powerhouse in the league
Gymnast reaches new heights
Popular Stories
Service expands to meet demand
A Narangba counselling service is helping meet the growing demand for disability support in Moreton Bay and northern Brisbane. ** FREE TO READ **
Dolphins battered in Battle for Brisbane
An already depleted Dolphins side is likely to be without Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for a few weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in tonight’s Battle for Brisbane. Head Coach Wayne Bennett says to ‘trust me, we’ll deal with it’ as the squad prepares for a trip to Darwin next week
Supernode to be built in Brendale
Work will start soon in Brendale on one of Queensland’s biggest Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). ** FREE TO READ **