INEVENTS
Pine-Richland Roars
in ‘The Lion King, Jr.’
Pine-Richland Middle School students
recently presented four sold-out shows of
Disney’s “The Lion King, Jr.” to audiences who
enjoyed the inspiring coming-of-age tale that
follows Simba as he journeys from Pride Rock
to the jungle and determines his future.
Pine-Richland’s musical program takes an
all-inclusive approach to the fine arts by holding
auditions for principal roles, but also by not
turning away any student who is interested in
participating. For Director Noreen Daniello
and Producer Mary Lynn Dugan, this translated
into instructing and coordinating almost 90 cast
members and 60 stage crew students.
“Some of our students have been involved in
musical theater for years through local acting
schools and studios, while others have joined
‘The Lion King’ as their first introduction to the
stage and theater,” says Daniello, who has also
directed PRMS musicals in previous years. “We
are grateful for the opportunity to welcome any
student who has an interest, so they can explore
the possibilities and learn new skills as other
students refine their craft and showcase their
talents.”
Such a large production required a great
number of rehearsal hours and many weeknights
and weekends dedicated to designing costumes
and building the set. As with most successful
extracurricular endeavors, “The Lion King,
Jr.” musical came to fruition through student
commitment and parent volunteers.
“The students put so much work and so
many hours into making this an enthusiastic and
entertaining performance,” says Dugan, who is
in her second year of producing at the middle
school. “We are also fortunate to have the
support of the middle school administration,
the parents and the community to make this
become a reality for our students.”
The cast included eighth-graders Lance
Bruno as Simba, Katie Cornetti as Sarabi,
Josh Horan as Ed, Ann Howenstein as Rafiki,
Samantha Koch as Nala, Jack Nash as Scar, Maya
Pantanowitz as Pumbaa, Jake Romeo as Shenzi,
Ava Sciulli as Sarafina, Noah Weitzel as Zazu
and Victor Williams as Mufasa. The musical
also featured seventh-graders Maggie Allwein as
Young Simba, Shaia Faletti as Timon, Eva Hines
as Young Nala and Logan Krushinski as Banzai.
Additionally, eighth-graders Sophia Greco and
Abigail Turner served as student directors.
“The Lion King, Jr.” is a one-act musical,
adapted from the animated Disney film and
based on the Broadway production directed
by Julie Taymor with lyrics and music by
Elton John and Tim Rice. Lee-Ann Bruno
choreographed Pine-Richland’s performance,
and Angela Gross was the vocal director.
Photos by Primetime Shots.
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