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. Rafiki has significant solos in
"Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the
African chants throughout the show, so cast a confident performer with a strong
singing voice.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom:
A3
Ensemble
The ensemble plays
various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes,
wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as
few or as many performers as your production permits. Be sure to cast many
strong singers. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers
in "The Lioness Hunt" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King."
Mufasa
The strong, honorable, and wise lion
who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show
tenderness with his son, Simba. Cast a mature actor who can convincingly
portray the king.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom:
B3
Sarabi
A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate,
and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can
deliver the care and command of a queen.
Gender: Female
Zazu
The anxious yet loyal assistant to
Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken
rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Male or
Female
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. Cast a
mature performer who can bring out this villain's dark side while handling
Scar's sarcastic sense of humor. As his solos can be spoken, opt for an actor
over a singer.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom:
A3
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. Cast a strong singer and dynamic
performer in this role.
Gender: Male or Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom:
B3
Simba
Grows from a cub to lion in
"Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites
with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar, so cast a more
mature actor. Be sure that the change in actors is clear: Try having Young
Simba hand-off a costume piece, such as a medallion, to older Simba. Also be
sure that Simba and Young Simba share a movement vocabulary.
Gender: Male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom:
B3
Lionesses
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands
and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and
"Shadowland." These actors should be strong singers, as the material
can be challenging. Depending on the complexity of your choreography,
particuarly for "The Lioness Hunt," strong dancers may be desirable
as well.
Gender: Female
Young
Nala
A courageous lion and Young Simba's
best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind. While Young Nala does sing a
little, look for a strong female performer who can portray this confident cub.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom:
A3
Nala
Grows from a cub to a lioness before
she confronts Scar, so cast a more mature actress to play the character
beginning in Scene 10, As with older Simba and Young Simba, ensure that this
switch in actors performing a single role is clear. Direct the actors to share
a mask or costume piece that distinctly represents Nala, as well as a movement
vocabulary.
Gender: Female
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom:
G3
Sarafina
A featured lioness and Nala's mother.
She has one short, spoken line, so consider giving this part to an actor who is
putting in a lot of effort and hard work in rehearsal as a lioness.
Gender: Female
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. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long,
as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Gender: Female
Banzai
A slick yet childish hyena who works
for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look
for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness. As
banzai is always featured with Shenzi and Ed, consider audit
Gender: Male or
Female
Ed
The third member of Scar's trio of
lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication.
Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate
through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be
played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Male or
Female
Hyenas
Scar's army, helping carry out his
evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who
sing in "Be Prepared." Cast actors who are able to sing the
background parts of that song while playing the loud and raucous characters.
Your hyenas can double as animals of the Pridelands or lionesses.
Gender: Male/Female
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. Timon is one of the funniest characters
in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic
timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl.
Gender: Male or Female
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom:
B3
Pumbaa
A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who
enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. Cast a boy or girl who can
portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.
Gender: Male or Female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom:
D4
