Just can’t wait to be king!
The circle of life continued at the Cedartown Cultural Arts Center as some of the city's youngest actors followed in the foot steps of their mentors for a performance of “The Lion King Kids" that gave the audience no worries.
The Lion King Kids took Dis- ney's The Lion King but compressed it down into a shorter show. Scar is still the bad guy, Simba still can't wait to be king, and the gang still sings Hakuna Matata, but the audience got to watch the lion cub take back his throne in a neatly packed 1 hour span.
The complete list of songs in Lion Kings Kid includes “One by One,” “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can't Wait to be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love To-night,” “He Lives in You,” and “Luau Hawaiian Treat.”
Prior to Friday's 7 p.m show, Cedartown's youth had been rehearsing from 9a.m to 4:30 p.m for two weeks straight for their summer theatre camp. McCall Pirkle
and Julie Carver served as the director and vocal director respectively and were in charge of the 40+ actors and volunteers present at the camp.
The camp i ncluded much more than rehearsing, however, and the young stars got to learn about the basics of theatre, set-design, choreography, and how to work while promoting teamwork and creativity.
Attending theatre camp made the impact of songs such as The Circle of Life and I Just Can't Wait to be King much more meaningful.
The actors and actresses who once received act- ing lessons themselves passed on their knowledge to students who used it in their own performance. One day the cast of Lion King Kids may pass down what they learned during theatre camp and make sure the cycle never ends.
No one can keep acting forever, but one's knowledge and teachings can be passed down from generation to generation, which is the hopes of organizers in the camp.
The full list of people that helped Simba become the right- ful king include: Volunteer Abby Bentley, Villager Addie Chandler, Hyena Aden Jiles, Villager Anna Prince, Anna Stephenson as Rafiki, Villager Annabelle King, Ariana Klemke as Rafiki, Aspen Ruff as Nala, Ayden Carver as Rafiki, Villager Bail ey Langston, Barret Pirkle as Timon, Blake Duggar as Ed, volunteer Brisa Guzman, volunteer Christian Williams, Cody Bauer as Mufasa, volunteer Drake Benefield, volunteer Dru Pirkle, Villager Ede White, Villager Elliott O'weger, Villager Emberlee Wilson, Emma Kate Owen as Rafiki, Hyena Gage Morris, Grace Ann Lundy as Zazu, volunteer Grace Bentley, Hayden Evans as Banzai, Hayden O'weger as Sarabi, Hyena Heaven Klemke, Joseph Wilson in the ensemble, volunteer Juliann Andrews, volunteer Jacob Pirkle, Hyena Justin Philpot, Villager Kimber Braren, Vil-lager Macie Duggar, Villager Madyson Thacker, Villag- er Maryn Barrow, Noah Odgers as Young Simba, Payton Owen as Pumbaa, Reese Torimoto as Shenzi, Sadie Bentley as Young Nala,Ande Roper as Rafiki, Seth Wright as Simba, Hyena So- phia Addison, Villager Woodson King, Wyatt Lindsey in en-semble, Zack Lester as Scar.
The team of cast, crew, and directors worked hard but the camp was only made possible by the generous sponsors such as Pirkles Deli and Zorba's who kept the many lions, hyenas, and other animals of the musical fed.
Home Depot and Kroger generously provided funds for the musical, and various volunteers agreed to work lights, help with set, and more.