Longtime theater teacher Roxane Caravan may have brought the “prideland” to the stage June 22 with a production of “The Lion King Jr.” but the true pride came with the show itself.
Fifty-two campers in Lakewood Ranch High School’s annual Acting Up Performing Arts Camp ended their three-week camp with a show bursting with color, song and dance and both seriousness and humor.
“This is probably one of the hardest pieces of theater I’ve ever done,” Caravan said. “Half of it’s in another language. The kids did amazing.”
Students perform the "Grasslands Chant" in one of the opening scenes.
Corbin Hynson, as the lead lion Mufasa, tells his son Simba, played by Ethan Hall, about the circle of life.
Connor Henning, as Scar, pretends to apologize to the young Simba.
A young Simba (Ethan Hall) talks with his uncle, Scar (Connor Henning) and learns about an elephant graveyard he hopes to explore.
Joran Bollinger portrayed the wise monkey Rafiki.
Jordan Cangro, as the lioness Sarafina, dances.
Emma Zolecki plays Shenzi, the lioness and mother of Nala.
Emma Mandzik makes an animated Zazu, a bird that serves the lion king.
Children portray all types of prideland creatures.
The young Simba and Nala, played by Ethan Hall and Isabela Mendez, find the elephant graveyard.
A group of hyenas laugh after Simba gives a pathetic roar in an attempt to scare them.
A herd of wildebeests rest before stampeding and killing the lion king.
Pumbaa the pig (Addison Schoenfield) begs Timon (Yaira Spears) if they can keep the lion cub they find sleeping.
