FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – On May 14-17, the auditorium of Shelby County High School will be transformed into the Pridelands of South Africa as the SCHS Theatre Department presents Disney’s “The Lion King.”

The musical is based on the classic Disney animated tale and the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor.

From a directing perspective, artistic director Kathryn Andrews Myrick says, “This show has been the most difficult show I’ve directed in my 18 years at SCHS, but I think the effort and hard work of all our actors will really be apparent when you see this production.”

Music director Ashlyn Delianides has had to teach the cast a new language for many of the musical numbers, mostly involving the Zulu language, and the students have responded to this challenge beautifully.

Choreography has also been an ongoing part of rehearsals, and choreographer Ashley Venable has created choreography that is fun, yet invokes many of the African customs of dance.

Of course, all favorite tunes from “The Lion King” are in the show as well, such as “Hakuna Matata,” “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” and “The Circle of Life,” just to name a few.

The costumes and headpieces for many of the characters, specifically the lions and hyenas, were designed by SCHS alum Saren Binkerd, who specializes in mask design and other works of art.

SCHS Art teacher Laura Alvord, along with her Art II and Art II students created the numerous masks for the animal ensemble characters featured in the show.

Both ladies had their work cut out for them, but did capture the look of the animals of South Africa.

Tickets for the show are $3 for students and $5 for adults and can be purchased the night of the show.

A limited supply of souvenir T-shirts will also be available for sale for $15, as well as souvenir programs listing all of the cast’s biographies, and other educational information relating to the language used in “The Lion King.”

The cast and crew of “The Lion King” include: Sierra Denney (Rafiki), Michael Harrison (Mufasa), Maggie Stogner (Sarabi), Gabe Hunt (Zazu), P.J. Powers (Scar), Harrison Binkerd (Young Simba), Tyler Carter (Adult Simba), Wendy Ballenger (Young Nala), Erin Hall (Adult Nala), Matti Harmon (Sarafina), Julie Smith (Lioness), Abby Bryan (Lioness), Aniston Cothran (Lioness), Elizabeth Hatcher (Lioness), Somer Hall (Lioness), Jim Vick (Banzai), Cameren Cotton (Shenzi), Oscar Rangel (Ed), James Bailey (Hyena), Jaaziel Morales (Hyena), Wade White (Hyena), Tyler Morris (Hyena), Billy Thomas (Hyena), J.T. Lee (Timon), and Kane White (Pumbaa).

Animal ensemble members include: Molly Morris, Cydnee Goodwin, Trinity Smith, Lexi Chandler, Chloe Lindley, Melanie Gutierrez, Shanae Hall, Shae Rains, Anna Catherine Folmar (featured dancer), Maddie Carden (featured dancer), Jordan Howard, (featured dancer), Alyssa Brown (featured dancer), Maddie Kirkland (featured dancer), Elizabeth Hatcher (featured dancer), Maggie Stogner, Wendy Ballenger, Erin Hall, Matti Harmon, James Bailey, Jaaziel Morales, Wade White, Tyler Morris, Billy Thomas, Tyler Carter, Julie Smith, Abby Bryan, Aniston Cothran, and Somer Hall.

Tech and Stage Crew include: Dominique Kelley (Stage Manager), Abbey Reese (Assistant Stage Manager), Clay Dixon (Assistant Stage Manager), Dovaris Kelley (Stage Crew), Emily Johnson (Stage Crew), Tracy Trice (Stage Crew), Ashlyn Proctor (Stage Crew), Tabitha Layfield (Lighting Director), Darin Jones (Sound Director), Raul Gutierrez (Sound and Microphone Coordinator), Ethan Wigington (Sound and Microphone Coordinator), Shya Edmondson (Sound and Microphone Coordinator), Danielle Culpepper (Makeup and Costume Crew), Paola Revilla (Makeup and Costume Crew), Aimee Livesay (Makeup and Costume Crew), Raegan Maddox (Costume Crew), Mia Stagner (Usher), Monet Walker (Usher), Featured Drummers: Jim Vick and Ty Nugent.

Shelby County High School is located at 101 Washington Street in Columbiana.