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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

Based on the Play/Book/Film
The Lion King
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2015
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings, Spectacle
Time & Place
The Plains of Africa
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Recording
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Elementary School, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Middle School, Star Vehicle Male, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Child Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Adult Simba

Lead

Male

Tenor

Young Simba

Lead

Male

Tenor

Timon

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Pumbaa

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Zazu

Supporting

Either Gender

Non-singer

Scar

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Nala

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Rafiki

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Mufasa

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Young Nala

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Ed

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Shenzi

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Banzai

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Sarafina

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Sarabi

Featured

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Lionesses

Ensemble

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Hyenas

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

Ensemble/Villagers

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

Songs

  • "One by One"** - Ensemble
  • "Circle of Life" - Rafiki, Ensemble
  • "Grasslands Chant"* - Ensemble
  • "The Lioness Hunt"* - Lionesses, Ensemble
  • "I Just Can’t Wait to Be King" - Young Simba, Zazu, Young Nala, Ensemble
  • "They Live in You"* - Mufasa, Ensemble
  • "Be Prepared" - Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Ensemble
  • "The Stampede"* - Ensemble
  • "The Mourning"* - Rafiki, Young Nala, Sarabi, Lionesses
  • "Hakuna Matata" - Timon, Pumbaa, Young Simba, Simba, Ensemble
  • "Shadowland"* - Nala, Rafiki, Lionesses, Ensemble
  • "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" - Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Nala, Ensemble
  • "He Lives in You" - Rafiki, Simba, Ensemble
  • "Luau Hawiian Treat" - Timon, Pumbaa
  • "Finale" - Company

All songs noted with an asterisk (*) are NOT included in the Kids version. **Is only performed in the Kids version

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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