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Overview

Synopsis

Based on the 1994 Disney animated feature film of the same name and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Lion King is the story of Simba, an adventurous and energetic lion cub who is next in line to be king of the Pride Lands, a thriving and beautiful region in the African savanna. When Simba’s father Mufasa is killed by his uncle Scar, though, Simba is led to believe that his father’s death is his fault, and he is encouraged to run away forever. Scar seizes power and with his already unstable mind deteriorating, the Pride Lands experiences a darkness and desolation from which only Simba can save the animals of the kingdom. Featuring classic songs from the film such as “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King is a story and a spectacle about identity, family, and responsibility that is enjoyed worldwide by people of all ages.

Show Information

Music
Elton John
Lyrics
Tim Rice
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Disney's 1994 animated film, The Lion King
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1997
Genres
Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Settings
Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
the plains of africa
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Heavy
Ideal For
Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Child Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Young Simba (Lion)

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

Adult Simba (Lion)

Lead

Male

Tenor

Pumbaa (Warthog)

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Mufasa (Lion)

Supporting

Male

Bass

Rafiki (Baboon)

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Alto

Adult Nala (Lioness)

Supporting

Female

Alto

Young Nala (Lioness)

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Timon (Meerkat)

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Zazu (Hornbill)

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Scar (Lion)

Supporting

Male

Bass

Ed (Hyena)

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Banzai (Hyena)

Featured

Male

Tenor

Sarabi (Lioness)

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Shenzi (Hyena)

Featured

Female

Alto

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Sarafina (Lioness)

Ensemble

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Songs

Act One

  • Circle of Life - Rafiki, Ensemble
  • Grasslands Chant - Ensemble
  • The Morning Report - Zazu, Young Simba, Mufasa, Ensemble
  • The Lioness Hunt - Lionesses, Ensemble
  • I Just Can't Wait to be King - Young Simba, Young Nala, Zazu, Ensemble
  • Chow Down - Shenzi, Banzai, Ed
  • They Live in You - Mufasa, Ensemble
  • Be Prepared - Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Ensemble
  • The Stampede - Orchestra
  • Rafiki Mourns - Rafiki, Young Nala, Sarabi
  • Hakuna Matata - Timon, Pumbaa, Young Simba, Simba, Ensemble

Act Two

  • One by One - Ensemble
  • The Madness of King Scar - Scar, Zazu, Banzai, Shenzi, Ed, Nala
  • Shadowland - Nala, Rafiki, Lionesses, Ensemble
  • Endless Night - Simba, Ensemble
  • Can You Feel the Love Tonight? - Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Nala, Ensemble
  • He Lives in You - Rafiki, Simba, Ensemble
  • Simba Confronts Scar - Orchestra
  • King of Pride Rock - Ensemble
  • Circle of Life (Reprise) - Company

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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