Jones County Arts is stepping into the circle of life with its summer production of The Lion King Jr. Audiences of all ages will feel the love as this beloved Disney classic is brought to life by over 50 talented local students, ages 8-18.
The Lion King Jr. follows the journey of Simba — portrayed by Ariana Abney as young Simba and Aaron Varnadoe as older Simba — a curious lion cub who must learn to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as king. Simba meets a vibrant cast of characters along the way, including the brave Nala, played by Mackensley Crowe as a cub and Addison Davis as a young lioness, the wisecracking meerkat Timon, played by Melody Dixon, and the warmhearted warthog Pumbaa, played by Brooke Cain.
To reclaim his rightful place on the throne and save the Pridelands, Simba must summon his inner strength and confront his villainous uncle Scar, played by Ashton Hodges, who is responsible for the death of Simba’s father, Mufasa, played by Jacob Adams.
The students will rehearse this production during the Jones County Arts Summer Theater Camp, which takes place the week of June 23. They will bring the show together in just one week, with only a few afternoon rehearsals scheduled before camp begins. This fastpaced process highlights the students’ dedication and hard work in creating a successful theater experience for the community.
The show will be performed on Saturday, June 28, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 29, at 3:00 p.m. at the W.E. Knox Civic Center. Reserved seating costs $15 for all ages. General admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets are available online at jonescounty. booktix.com and can also be purchased at the door before each performance.
Jones County Arts high school students Maverick Fields and Winter Miller spoke about their experience in the program.
“I have been in JCA for four years now and it is one of the best investments I have made in my life. Not only during my time at JCA have I found a love for theater, but also for the arts,” Fields said.
“JCA is an amazing program that I have met many amazing people through. I met some of my best friends through JCA. Getting underneath the stage lights and singing and dancing is one of my favorite things to do,” Miller said.
The students encourage the public to attend The Lion King Jr., a production that showcases their hard work and the friendships that make the performance even more meaningful.
“Make your way to Pride Rock and grab your tickets today, or you will be “lion” around regretting it.”
