July 31-August 2

Director Meredith Vandre Assistant Director

Nora Wickman

Music and Lyrics by

Elton John & Tim Rice Additional Music and Lyrics by

Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Hans Zimmer

Book by

Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi Based on the Broadway production directed by

Julie Taymor

Music Adapted & Arranged and Additional Music & Lyrics and “Luau Hawaiian Treat” written by Will Van Dyke

“It’s a Small World” written by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

In Consideration

of Other Patrons...

• Please turn off or silence all cell phones. • Please do not text during the production. • Thank you for your patronage and polite considera-

tion. • Maintain 6’ of social distance at all times • Face coverings over the nose and mouth should be

worn at all times when not seated • Concessions will not be available • Bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket

And enjoy the show!

Cast…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Role

Kaelin Baird……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Scar

Emerson Carter…………………………………………………………………………………………….Young Nala

Riley Carter….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..Lioness

Angela D’Andrea………………………………………………………………………………………………..Mufasa

Madison Herlehy…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Nala

Elise Hocevar…………………………………………….……………………………………………………………….Ed

Luke Hogan…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Simba

Tyler Hogan…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Zazu

Zoe Hogan……………………………….…………………………………………………………………………….Rafiki

Jeannie Hughes………………………………………………………………………..………………Young Simba

Ava Ludwig………………………………………………………………………..………………………………Sarafina

Alannah Nee………………………………………………………………………..………………………………Shenzi

Charlotte Otto………………………………………………………………………..……………………………Timon

Dacey Paul………………………………………………………………………..………………………………..Lioness

Samantha Samuelson………………………………………………………………………..…………………Sarabi

Hudson Taylor………………………………………………………………………..…………………………….Banzai

Lucy Webster………………………………………………………………………..…………………………..Pumbaa

Cast

Circle of Life with Nants’ Ingonyama…………………..Rafiki, Ensemble Grasslands Chant…………………………………………………………..Ensemble The Lioness Hunt…………………………………………………………..Lionesses I Just Can’t Wait to Be King……………………………………...Young Simba,

Young Nala, Zazu, Ensemble Be Prepared………………………………..Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Hyenas They Live in You……………………………………………….Mufasa, Ensemble The Stampede……………………………………………………………….Ensemble The Mourning……………………………………...Sarabi, Young Nala, Rafiki,

Lionesses, Hyenas Hakuna Matata…………………………………….…..Timon, Pumbaa, Young

Simba, Simba, Ensemble Shadowland…………………………………..…………..Nala, Lionesses, Rafiki Can You Feel the Love Tonight…………………………….Timon, Pumbaa,

Simba, Nala, Ensemble He Lives in You…………….……………………………………..Rafiki, Ensemble Luau Hawaiian Treat…….……………………..Timon, Pumbaa, Ensemble Finale……………………………………………..……………………………..Company

Musical Numbers

Emerson LOVES Unicorns! Emerson enjoyed playing Mrs. Barry in the Playhouse 38 production of “Anne of Green Gables.” She also had fun with the role of Puss in Boots in “Shrek Jr.” last sum-mer. Emerson enjoys swimming, gymnastics, singing, playing in-struments, dancing and she loves her little sister, Riley. Emerson is also a magician.

Cast Bios

Emerson Carter

Kaelin is an active member of Playhouse 38 productions. This is her 7th theatrical performance. You may have caught her in Playhouse 38’s company program “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown” as Li-nus. As Scar she’s prepared! Kaelin will be entering GHS this fall. She enjoys D&D, anime, writing, drawing, reading and hanging out with her friends.

Kaelin Baird

Riley was very excited to play the prickly Mrs. Blewett in the Play-house 38 production of “Anne of Green Gables.” She captivated audiences with her role as Baby Shrek in “Shrek Jr.” last sum-mer. Riley loves math, singing, acting, dancing, swimming, gym-nastics and playing her guitar. Riley is also a magician.

Riley Carter

Cast Bios

Madison has been in over five productions at Playhouse 38. Her favorite role so far has been as Slightly in “Peter Pan.” She is so excited to be playing the Nala in “The Lion King Jr.” and singing in the chorus. In her spare time, Madison loves to dance, sing and draw. She is looking forward to many more productions at Playhouse 38 and loves all the friends she has made.

Madison Herlehy

Elise is a rising 6th grader in Geneva. She loves Playhouse 38 and has participated in “Into the Woods” and “Shrek Jr.” Elise was also in choir and band at Western Avenue School.

Elise Hocevar

Angela has been in two Playhouse 38 productions, playing Gabriel-la in “High School Musical Jr.” and with her most recent role as Mufasa in “The Lion King Jr.” She also had roles including Annie, Flotsam, and Cogsworth in previous productions. She is excited to get back onto stage to perform and sing as Mufasa. In her free time, Angela enjoys learning languages, gaming, and reading nov-els. She would like to thank her family, friends and Playhouse 38 for always believe in her.

Angela D’Andrea

Upcoming Auditions

Upcoming Auditions

Tyler is thirteen years old and is happy to perform in “The Lion King Jr.” Ty enjoys Nerf, baseball, working out, art, Marvel, music, drums, Star Wars, Fortnite, trying new foods, movies, reading, ad-ventures and spending time with his friends and family. He has performed in many Playhouse productions. One of his favorite roles was as Bert in “Mary Poppins Jr.” Tyler thanks Miss Meredith and Miss Nora for all of their help, and also his friends and family.

Cast Bios

Tyler Hogan

Luke, a fourteen-year-old, has enjoyed this opportunity to play Simba in this unique, creative, and socially distanced musi-cal. Besides acting, Luke is interested in skateboarding, photog-raphy, movie-making/directing, guitar, skiing, swimming, math, music, Star Wars, traveling and being with his friends and fami-ly. He has had fun being a part of many Playhouse 38 productions, and was last seen in the middle school production of “Aladdin Jr.” this past spring. Luke would like to thank Miss Meredith, Miss Nora and his friends and family for their encouragement and sup-port.

Luke Hogan

Zoe is ten years old and will be starting 5th grade. Zoe loves her dogs Scout and Molly, animals, the beach, piano, The Beatles, hanging out with her brothers, singing, writing and reading. She made her acting debut in Mulan and discovered a love for thea-ter. Her favorite role was Annie, in “Annie the Musical.” She is thrilled to join the cast of “The Lion King Jr.” as Rafiki. Zoe thanks her whole family for all of their love and support, and enjoys work-ing with Miss Meredith and Miss Nora and the awesome casts in Playhouse 38 productions.

Zoe Hogan

Cast Bios

Ava Ludwig is 14 years old, and is going to be a Freshman at Gene-va High School. She was a Statue and a Banker in the “Mary Pop-pins” play at Chapelstreet Church in February of 2020. She was al-so Little Red Riding Hood in “The Snow White Variety Show” for the Geneva Middle School South play in October of 2017. Ava has been in Choir for all 3 years in Middle School, and is looking for-ward to being Choir again in High School. She enjoys listening to music, enjoys digital design, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and drawing.

Ava Ludwig

Alannah, eight years old, is thrilled about her debut with Play-house 38. She has always expressed a love of singing and acting and is excited to showcase both in “The Lion King Jr.” When not rehearsing Alannah can be found riding her bike, drawing, on her iPad or playing with her brother, sister or friends. Alannah would like to thank her parents for their constant love, encouragement and support.

Alannah Nee

This is Jeannie's third play, with prior roles in “Shrek Jr.” and “Murder on the 518.” She is 9 years old and is thrilled to be play-ing Young Simba in “The Lion King Jr.” She has had so much fun in the weeks leading up to "show time" and looks forward to her next role at Playhouse 38! Jeannie's hobbies are acting, singing, art and eating!

Jeannie Hughes

Dacey is excited to be in her fourth production with Playhouse 38. Dacey loves to act and sing and to pretend to be different characters. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Cast Bios

Dacey Paul

This is Charlotte’s fifth production at Playhouse 38. She was going to play Jafar in “Aladdin Jr.,” but the play was cancelled because of COVID-19. This is probably her favorite production so far. You may have also seen Charlotte in “Mary Poppins Jr.,” “Anne of Green Gables,” “Shrek Jr.,” and “Tiny Tim’s Christ-mas.” She hopes you enjoy the show!

Charlotte Otto

“Lion King Jr.” is Samantha’s second time on stage. She is really ex-cited. Sam is eleven years old and she loves to play basketball and read in her spare time.

Samantha Samuelson

Cast Bios

Lucy is so excited to be performing again! She is 12 years old and has been in several Playhouse 38 productions. Some of her favor-ite roles have been Jane Banks in “Mary Poppins Jr.” and Ms. Dar-bus in “High School Musical Jr.” She hopes you enjoy the show! Hakunah Matata!!

Lucy Webster

Hudson is very happy to be back with his theater friends doing “The Lion King Jr.” despite a worldwide pandemic! Hudson enjoys travel, basketball, theater and cheeseburgers. Thanks to Miss Meredith, Mrs. Nora and Mr. Adam. Enjoy the show!!!

Hudson Taylor

Crew Bios

Nora Manca Wickman has really been enjoying her first production with the Geneva Park Dis-trict. Nora is a theater veteran, she runs a Shakespeare Ensemble, Odd's Bodkins, in Chicago, and she has an MFA and MLitt in Shakespeare and Performance. Nora has worked on many Disney Jr productions in the past, including with the Bartlett Park District, Noble Fool Theatri-cals, and Magical Starlight Theater. She has also founded educational Shakespeare programs for kids. Nora loves reading, going on adventures, and anything creative. She would like to thank and send her love to her daughter, Eowyn; the amazing Meredith; and the wonderful cast of The Lion King Jr.

Nora Wickman Assistant Director

This has directed more than twenty youth productions with Playhouse 38. She has been active in theatre and music her whole life and received her Theatre degree from Co-lumbia College Chicago. Some of her recent shows include: “The Jungle Book,” “Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.,” “Illinois Jane and the Pyramid of Peril,” “Mulan Jr.,” “Stuart Little” and, most recently, “Anne of Green Gables.” She has two adorable children and in her spare time she loves to sing, play flute, and cross stitch.

Meredith Vandre Director

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Enjoy the Show

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