For immediate release
Torrington Public Schools presents The Lion King Jr at the Torrington Middle School auditorium on Friday, August 2nd at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. This production includes fifty students from both Torrington middle and high schools, who met for three weeks this summer under the direction of Torrington teachers Veronica Gelormino, Liza Rosa and Andrew Skinner. High school interns took the lead for many aspects of this production including choreography (Freyja Harrel), music (Riley McIntyre), properties and costumes (Nate Pepler and Reed Freiler) and direction/production/tech (Patrick Minnerly). Other high school students volunteered to help with this production both on and off the stage, including Emma Hardwick, Madi Doherty, Norah McCarthy and Xavier Vega.
The junior version of this classic Disney story is perfect to introduce young audiences to live theater. The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub who grows to learn about the responsibilities of caring for and leading his community at Pride Rock and respecting the great “Circle of Life”. With the music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, the audience will hear well-known songs such as “Hakuna Matata”, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”.
Danny Tacuri-Penaranda takes the stage as Young Simba, accompanied by Young Nala, played by Aila Basic. A grown-up Simba is played by Ryan Tichon, while Olga Romero takes over the role of Nala. The role of Simba’s father and the king, Mufasa, is played by Anthony Loja; Anthony Ferro plays the king’s evil brother, Scar. Zazu, the king’s advisor, is played by Leah Palmieri. Scar plans his takeover to rule the Pridelands with the hyenas, played by Jade Gayle, Jaielly Hernandez and Peyton Sutherland. Simba tries to escape his responsibilities with the help of Timon, a meerkat played by Mackenzie Riggs, and Pumba, a warthog played by Chesney Staton. But the guidance of the wise Rafiki, played by Briana Lopez, helps Simba and his friends restore the Pridelands to their glory and Simba to accept his responsibility to his kingdom.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or at tpsproduction.org and are $5 for students/children and $10 for adults. For more information, email Veronica Gelormino at [email protected].