'Feeling the Love Tonight': Holmes students present 'Lion King Jr.'

Drama and music students from John A. Holmes High School wowed audiences with three performances of “The Lion King Jr.” last weekend.

The student actors presented a strong performance that highlighted their singing, dancing, and costume design talents.

The “Lion King Jr.” performances May 16-18 came during a difficult moment for the high school’s drama program. In April, wrecking crews demolished the high school campus’s auditorium and much of the 70-year-old campus building. Classes were held in the old D.F. Walker campus, and the performance was held at the Open Door Chapel on Haughton Road, presenting logistical problems for the cast and crew.

The Holmes’ students’ performance was heavy on music, presenting 15 musical numbers, including perennial favorites like “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

Holmes drama and music director Gena-Erin Copeland produced the play, handling director, music, choreography, set design, costume design, properties, and puppet design duties. Justin Smith served as lighting designer, Alyssa Bream as sound designer, Kim Dunlow as scenic technician, Eve Berry as stage manager, and Amy Gines as mask designer.

The cast included Brea Navarro as Rafiki, Anthony Surgeon as Mufasa, Bernice Joyner as Sarabi, Samantha Burgess as Zazu, Mathew Dewees as Scar, Brian Ashley as Young Zimba, Kori Cortezano as Young Nala, Treneria Smith as Sarafina, Cat Dixon as Shenzi, Gus Terell at Banzai, Diamoniue Dillard as Ed, Patrick Lee as Timon, Donterio Rodgers Jr., as Pumbaa, Aiden Nixon as Simba, and Kori Cortezano as Nala. Ryn Surgeon, Tanaa Hines, and Diamonique Dillard were in the ensemble.

Copeland told audiences that what they saw on stage was the students’ work. “Everything you see here was worked on by the students,” she said.

“The Lion King, Jr.” is a production designed for student and community presentation. It is shorter than the original Broadway production while keeping all the principal music and dance numbers.

The Open Door Church was an excellent venue, providing comfortable seating for 200 audience members and an LED wall that projected stunning animated scenery. Copeland expressed thanks to Pastor Steven Mizell and the church for their hospitality.

The audience, which included many young children, responded to the performance enthusiastically. At the end of the performance, the play’s cast filed out to greet the audience and take selfies with the children.