Description:

Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world! The African savanna comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle and back again in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale. The Lion King JR. features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated feature film, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” 

Director: Jinnae Stuckey
Music Director: Jeanette Hall
Choreographer: Tessa Outland
Stage Manager: Carissa Wiegel

THE LION KING, JR. is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtihows.com

Dates / Times:

  • Friday, May 15th @ 10:00am  
  • Friday, May 15th @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, May 16th @ 3:00pm
  • Friday, May 22nd @ 10:00am  
  • Friday, May 22nd @ 7:00pm
  • Saturday, May 23rd @ 3:00pm
  • School Days Performance
Tickets go on sale Saturday March 14, 2026 at 12:00am

Ticket Prices:

  • $20.50: Standard Ticket Price
($15.00 ticket price + $4.25 service fee + $1.25 affiliate fee) *ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES.* *Discounts/coupons must be used at time of purchase and cannot be added to already purchased tickets. *Ticket holders can sell tickets, but for no more than originally paid. Ticket holders can trade tickets with other ticket holders. If tickets are sold or traded, please transfer the PDF or paper copy of the ticket. If any dispute arises over seats at a show, or somehow duplicate tickets are presented for the same seat, CYT will consider only the original purchaser of the tickets in the CYT database to be the owner of the seats.

Radiant Church:

7801 Hazel Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662

Show Notes:

  • CYT students ages 8-18 who are currently enrolled in a class at RADIANT CHURCH may audition for this show.  
    • SPECIAL NOTE: Spring show auditions for Matilda & The Lion King Jr. will be COMBINED. If you are willing to be cast in EITHER Matilda OR The Lion King Jr., please sign up for a class in your first-choice area.
  • An online audition form will be emailed to all students enrolled in a CYT class who have selected to participate in auditions. Please be prepared with the following items needed for your form: 
    • headshot (does not need to be professional)
    • audition music track upload link
    • flexible measuring tape to provide some basic costume measurements 

VOCAL & PRELIMINARY DANCE AUDITIONS:
Tuesday, Feb. 17 @ Radiant Church (7801 Hazel Ave., Orangevale ) 
  • Students will sign up for a 20 min. group audition slot sometime between 4:00-8:20pm.  
  • Please choose an accompaniment track with no vocals (such as a karaoke track - no a cappella audition songs). 
    • Audition song cut should be no more than 1 minute. The director needs to see how well the student can stay with the music, both in tune and in rhythm. You will be able to upload your music to the audition form. It's best if you have a YouTube link or a song file. We cannot access tracks through iTunes, Spotify or Amazon. 
  • For the Dance portion, students will learn choreography at home via video and will come ready to perform it for the directors following their vocal audition. This is performed in a group with the other auditioners in the same time slot.

CALLBACKS: (including Featured Dancers) 
Wednesday, Feb. 18 @  4pm
  • The purpose of Callbacks is for the directors to see certain students dance additional choreography, sing a selection from the show, read a scene, or any combination of these. 
  • Directors may ask pairs or groups of students to read scenes to see how different combinations of personalities, ages, and heights work together. 
  • CYT callbacks are CLOSED to everyone except the artistic team. 
  • If a student is not "called back" it DOES NOT mean that they will not be cast in the show.
PLEASE NOTE:
  • Students who audition are NOT eligible for a class tuition refund, regardless of casting. 
  • All students cast in the show will be charged a production fee of $250
  • All families are required to serve A MINIMUM OF 20 HOURS on a parent team. 
For additional show information, check out the Audition Tips and Show FAQ sections on the Auditions Page.

CAST ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunday, February 26

REHEARSAL DATES: Radiant Church (7801 Hazel Ave., Orangevale) 

Saturdays 9am-3pm (any known conflicts must be listed on the audition form)
3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 4/11, 4/18, 4/25, 5/2 (NO REHEARSAL 3/28, 4/4 - Easter)

Reset Rehearsal (between show weekends): Thursday, 5/21 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Mandatory Rehearsal Dates (no pre-arranged absences will be accepted these dates)
Super Saturday 9am-3pm - 5/9
Tech Week 4pm-9pm - Mon. 5/11, Tues. 5/12, Wed. 5/13, Thurs. 5/14 

SHOW DATES (MANDATORY):
5/15 @ 10am & 7pm
5/16 @ 3pm
5/22 @ 10am & 7pm
5/23 @ 3pm 

Questions? Email Emily Goodyear, Show Coordinator  emily@cytsacramento.org

Characters:

Young Simba

The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny.

Simba

The protagonist of the story, grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata."

Rafiki

A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery.

Young Nala

A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind.

Nala

A courageous lion and Simba's best friend. Grows from a cub to a lioness, and is not afraid to confront Scar.

Mufasa

The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba.

Scar

The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands.

Zazu

The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty.

Shenzi

One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself.

Banzai

A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy.

Ed

The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication.

Timon

An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo.

Pumbaa

A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation.

Sarabi

A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother.

Sarafina

A featured lioness and Nala's mother.

Lionesses

The fierce hunters of the Pridelands

Hyenas

Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands.

Ensemble

The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures.