Spotlight Community Theatre will offer the musical production “The Lion King Jr.” from July 9-12 at the Jefferson College Fine Arts Theater in Hillsboro.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. July 9-11 and 2 p.m. July 11-12. Tickets cost $15 and are available at spotlightjeffco.ludus.com or at the door.
Jaclyn Brown and Amy M. Smith, the co-directors, said audiences should enjoy the colorful production. Smith also serves as music director.
“A beautiful musical, ‘Lion King Jr.’ blends a meaningful story with exceptional costumes, lighting and set design,” Brown of Hillsboro said. “The production challenges performers to navigate the complexities of the circle of life, exploring themes of joy and laughter alongside death, grief, forgiveness and rebirth.”
Information from Spotlight describes the story as: “Simba, the young heir to the Pridelands, is manipulated by his uncle Scar, who plots to take the throne. After Scar causes Mufasa’s death and convinces Simba it’s his fault, Simba runs away and grows up with Timon and Pumbaa. When Nala finds him and urges him to return, Simba must face his past. With Rafiki’s guidance, he confronts Scar, learns the truth and restores peace to the Pridelands as the rightful king.”
Linda Potter of De Soto is the stage manager; Owen Potter of De Soto is assistant stage manager and Brock Day of Hillsboro is the assistant music director.
The performers are all in the fifth grade through high school seniors.
Cast members are: Alyssa Chambers, Anna Fischer, Claire Krutzsch, Nora Haegele and Peyton Hegel of Barnhart; Ava Ross of Bloomsdale; Jacob Kyle of Byrnes Mill; Novello Puzzo and O Silva-Noah of Crystal City; Lacey Reed and Tyler Potter of De Soto; Cannon Therrell, Cohen Shaw, Emma Ali, Harrison Clements, June Gans, Kinley Briggs, Lucy Chapman, Scarlett Gans, Teuila Adam and Whitney Therrell of Festus; Will Barnes of High Ridge; Josie Manns-Fletcher, Landon Kley, Luke Heine, Marshall Bedell, Millie McLean and Stella Umfleet of Hillsboro; Eliza Brockmeyer of House Springs; Jenna Hall and Liam Maya of Imperial; Brennan Thomas, Dorothy Thomas and Knox Thomas of St. Louis.
The Spotlight Community Theatre group is a nonprofit organization founded by Courtney Wisely in 2022 and based in Festus, but draws members from around Jefferson County and beyond.
The troupe’s next production will be “The Little Mermaid” July 30-Aug. 2 at Jefferson High School south of Festus.
For more information, visit the organization’s website at spotlightjeffco.org or go to the Spotlight Community Theatre-Jeffco page on Facebook.