'LION KING' ROARS WITH LAUGHTER

By now it is almost a given that director Mike Dumey's annual spring musical at L.J. Schultz School will be a triumph. This year's show, "The Lion King," is a spectacle of inventively costumed giraffes, gazelles and zebras, of charming and often hilarious portrayals and of Elton John's warm-hearted songs.

A standing-room-only crowd of about 250 had to fan its programs to stay cool in the school's overcrowded and underair-conditioned library Monday night, but it had good reason to laugh and applaud enthusiastically. At the end, appreciative screams greeted Dumey's introduction of each principal in the cast.

"The Lion King" will be presented again at 7:30 tonight and Wednesday night in the school library. The public is invited. The cast also will perform the musical for the students and faculty during the schoolday Wednesday.

Catherine Moreton as the wisecracking Timon and Cara Mueller as her sweet-singing second banana Pumbaa could take their part of the show on the road. The two caused fits of laughter in the audience as they bounced and dithered about trying to protect Young Simba.

Blake Russell was proudly evil as the villainous lion Scar. Clayton Hill was a vision as Rafiki, the monkey shaman. Kasper Woldtvedt as Zazu, the court adviser, fretted with British charm.

Cole Buerkle, Lorrin Lynn and Jay Shirrell as the three hyenas scored with more humor again and again.

Also fine were Rashad Fambro as Mufasa the lion king, Megan Green as Sarabi, Maggie Limbaugh as Serafina, Suzie Tufts as Young Nala, Mason Loy as the adult Simba and Kingsly Ehie as the tribal chieftain.

Narrators Autumn Gaines, Cambry Pierce, Tricia Roth, Chelsea Sellers, Abbi Sims and Linnea Woldtvedt ably held the production together.

Fine singing

The production showcases some fine singing. Moreton and Mueller, again, harmonized wonderfully. And Sara Goeke, who plays the adult lioness Nala, shone on "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" As Young Simba, Stephen Coleman displayed a rock star quality on "I Just Can't Wait to be King."

Other soloists with good performances were Jarica Nabors on "Circle of Life," and Tareka Weams backed by the ensemble of Keia Wooldridge, Ida Shafaie and Ana-Marija Simovska and by ballet dancer Susan Zimmer on "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

William Sellers makes an appearance as baby Simba at the beginning of the musical. Caitlyn Dumey, the director's daughter, plays the role at the end.

Others appearing in the production include: Cassi Andrews, Kayla Auer, Jill Blattner, Adria Brewer, Sarah Byington, Kate Caughlan, Matt Cook, Ty Craft, Priscilla Curry, Tatianna Cwick, Heather Daniels, Xavier Delph, Jami Dement, Rissa Eakins, Diana Etzold, Dani Fee, Morgan Feuerhahn, Jennie Fitsimmons, Whitney Ford, Laura Frayser, Dani Gross and Kyle Halbert.

Others include: Brittney Halter, Shaletra Harris, Aaron Hill, Hali Hodge, Brooke Huber, Thomas Jaster, Megan Kays, Zach Kluesner, Kori Lawley, Kenny Lewis, Tavi Lopez, Josephine Loya, Heather Madden, Kashawn Mays, Amy McClanahan, Sara Neighbors, Anne Peel, Dale Price, Tara Raddle, Amanda Radford and David Ray.

Rounding out the cast are: Kaitlen Ritter, Tanner Rust, Megan Schenck, Stefani Schoener, Carmen Scholl, Shane Sprouse, Brittne Stovall, Joanna Taleno, Caitie Tenkhoff, Monica Toole, Sophie Tramposh, Alex Voerg, Julianna West, Ashley White, Chelsea White, Lacey White and David Zimmer.

Dumey has a gift for bringing out the best in his students and for getting them to leave their self-consciousness at home.