Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesRafiki (played by Harper Hall) raises the newborn Simba as parents Sarabi and Mufasa (Ashawncia Martin, Rashad Davis) and Zazu (Gracin Carter) watch in Little Actors Theatre production of 'Lion King Jr.' playing this weekend.

VALDOSTA – Children dress as colorful animals.

A grey hoodie, grey baseball cap, strings propping up tusks transform a youngster into a warthog. 

Another grey hoodie, a long tube attached to a cap and floppy material for ears change another youngster into an elephant.

Yellow-and-tan caps with extended crowns bob atop the heads of children playing giraffes.

Diane Tovar, Little Actors Theatre director, stands in the middle of 22 children in costumes. She answers questions. She directs them to their spots on stage. She prepares them for photos then rehearsal. 

“Circle of Life.”

Little Actors Theatre presents “The Lion King Jr.” in three performances this weekend. 

It is the stage adaptation of the popular Disney animated movie.

The “Jr.” designation means the show is an abridged version of the original musical and is specifically designed with a young cast and crew in mind, according to organizers.

Tovar said audiences can expect to still hear most of the familiar songs.

The young cast ranges in age from about 6 years old to late teens. “The Lion King” players are a mix of past LAT actors and newcomers, the director said.

 

THE CAST: Harper Hall, Rashad Davis, Ashawncia Martin, Gracin Carter, Anna Gibson, Baxa Campbell, Allison Moore, Riley Futch, Katie Smith, Ellison Shiver, Annabelle Hall, Jayda Clay, Azaria Wade, Holly Shoemaker, Ella Barrett, Jayda Davis, Emmerson Shiver, Simon Hall, Isaiah Elvine-Phelps, Sally Kirkland, Elle Shiver, Ashwancia Martin, Joseph Irvine, Josephine Johnson, Fletcher Hall, Rashad Davis, Fletcher Hall.

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Diane Tovar, director; Lacey Little, musical & assistant director; Darlene Ray, voice director; Isaiah Harris, choreographer & assistant director;  Liz Hatcher, costume director; Meredith Hall, Melissa Johnson, costumes; Trent Hall and Sean Johnson and cast members, set design and construction; Lu Campbell and Jenny Warren, printing; Cindy Bardes, head shots. 

 

 

SHOWTIMELittle Actors Theatre presents “Lion King Jr.”

When: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5.

Where: Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 N. Forrest St.