YES is Ready to Hit the Stage with Production of Disney’s Lion King Jr.

Youth Education On Stage (YES) is a summer youth theatre in Williston North Dakota founded by Jack Dyville and B.Michael Quale. Youth Education on Stage provides youth within the community the opportunity to learn about the stage and to participate in popular plays and musicals during the summer months.

YES is ready to hit the stage with this summer's production of Disney's Lion King Jr. There will be some awesome face paint/makeup for the productions. If you are interested in helping to paint faces and would be willing to be trained they have a face paint expert coming in to help. They at least 9-10 parents or young adults who would be willing to learn a certain animal group and then will be face painting for every show.

The kids have been working so hard and are all excited to bring everything together for a great show. 120 local kids are in the Lion King Jr cast.

Show dates are Monday, July 24, Tuesday, July 25, Wednesday, July 26 and Thursday, July 27 at the Old Armory Theater. Showtime is 7:00pm.

Tickets are on sale at the Old Armory or by calling 701-770-4525.Adults $10, Seniors & Teens $8, Kids $5.

Lion King Jr. tickets wil be sold:

Wed. July 19, 10:00a-12:30pm *Phone Only*
Wed. July 19, 6:00p-8:00pm *Old Armory*
Thurs. July 20, 10:00a-12:30pm *Old Armory*
Any other available seats can be purchased at the door

Disney's The Lion King has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world, and now you have the opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind musical in our community. Bringing the African savanna to life on stage 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.” Young performers get the chance to learn a wide range of new theatrical skills—such as mask-making and puppetry—encouraging them to explore this beloved story with creativity and pride.

Full Synopsis (Spoiler Alert)

RAFIKI gathers the ANIMALS of the Pridelands to welcome the newborn cub of King MUFASA and Queen SARABI ("Circle of Life with Nants' Ingonyama"). The king's jealous brother, SCAR, no longer heir to the throne, skips the ceremony, upsetting Mufasa. Time passes ("Grasslands Chant") and YOUNG SIMBA grows into a curious young lion. Mufasa explains the circle of life and that Young Simba will one day be king of the Pridelands. Young Simba shares this news with Scar, who encourages his nephew to visit the forbidden Elephant Graveyard. Young Simba finds his best friend, YOUNG NALA, hunting with SARAFINA and the LIONESSES ("The Lioness Hunt") and invites her on his adventure. Once they ditch their overbearing babysitter, ZAZU ("I Just Can't Wait to Be King"), the cubs encounter the ravenous SHENZI, BANZAI and ED in the graveyard. Mufasa arrives and pummels the hyenas, then takes the cubs home. Scar emerges from the darkness to recruit the HYENAS in his murderous plan to become king ("Be Prepared"). Back in the Pridelands, Mufasa reprimands Young Simba, then shares the guidance of their ancestors, up among the stars ("They Live in You").

Enacting his plan, Scar leaves Young Simba alone in the gorge and signals the hyenas to scare a herd of wildebeest ("The Stampede"). Scar alerts Mufasa, who leaps into the stampede to save his son. Mufasa rescues Young Simba, but Scar pushes his brother back into the gorge, where he is trampled. Scar blames Young Simba for the king's death and tells him to run away and never return. As Sarabi, Young Nala, Rafiki and the lionesses mourn the loss of Mufasa and Young Simba ("The Mourning"), Scar assumes the throne, uniting lions and hyenas under his dark reign. Lost in the desert, Young Simba meets TIMON and PUMBAA, who take him to their "worry-free" jungle home ("Hakuna Matata").

Under Scar's reign, the Pridelands are nearly destroyed. Now grown, NALA decides to leave and seek help ("Shadowland"). To her delight, she finds SIMBA alive in the jungle ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). Nala urges him to take his rightful place as king but, still ashamed, Simba refuses. Rafiki appears and helps Simba remember his father ("He Lives in You"). With newfound courage, Simba agrees to return to the Pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas ("Luau Hawaiian Treat") while Nala rallies the lionesses. Simba confronts his uncle, the truth of Mufasa's murder is revealed and Scar runs away, pursued by angry hyenas. With peace restored in the Pridelands, Simba takes his place as king and the circle of life continues ("Finale").