Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Relive the Disney classic with BCMS’ ‘The Lion King Jr.’ production

Diego Cagara by Diego Cagara
January 15, 2019
in News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Rehearsals are happening right up to opening night on Thursday, Jan. 17.
Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

Rehearsals are happening right up to opening night on Thursday, Jan. 17. Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

#DiegoCagara #BethlehemCentralMiddleSchool #BethlehemMiddleSchool #Bethlehem #TheLionKing #Musical

BETHLEHEM — While audiences have to wait until this July for the live-action adaptation of the 1994 film, “The Lion King,” residents could flock to the Bethlehem Central Middle School this week for an ambitious light production called “The Lion King Jr.”

Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17 and Friday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $8 and students, faculty and senior citizens are $5; sales are happening at the BCMS entrance lobby and also 1.5 hours before each performance, if it is not sold out yet.

Musical director Jason Dashew, above, at the ready by his piano.
Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

Married couple Lindsay and Jason Dashew are the director and musical director respectively, the former in charge of direction and choreography, and the latter helming the musical aspects. Katie Daly serves as the technical director and auditions for roles occurred last October.

Saying that “The Lion King Jr.” largely follows the original film albeit with some songs cut and “lighter” content, Lindsay said this musical was chosen because “we always try to choose shows that are family-friendly. We know we have a younger audience and this would be great for peers, kids and families. We were looking for something that’s going to appeal to the large group of varying ages — grandparents and three year olds would like it.”

When asked why she was personally drawn to the material, Lindsay said, “There’s something magical about ‘The Lion King.’ When I saw it on Broadway a long time ago, when those animals started walking through the audience and pass you, I remembered gasping and the magic of it all. That’s a really nice thing to bring to kids and have them experience it. It’s also a beautiful story.”

Both the film and school musical chronicle the rise of Simba, a young lion who will succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands. But after Simba’s malevolent uncle, Scar, kills Mufasa and tricks Simba into believing he caused it, Simba flees and encounters meerkat Timon and warthog Pumba who help mature him into a grown lion who eventually returns to confront Scar.

Expect a diverse ecosystem of animal-themed costumes onstage, like elephants, giraffes, zebras, and even a warthog.
Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

The seemingly-infinite number of props and animal-themed costumes were mostly rented from sources beyond the Capital District, including the Texas-based company Theater By Design; the Coal City School District in Coal City, Illinois; and a middle school in Glastonbury, Connecticut. “We’ve rented most of our costumes because we knew it was a huge show,” said Lindsay. “We never really did that before but they had stuff available, and we don’t have much storage here.”

While attending a rehearsal on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the production value alone appeared impressive with constant set changes, children in animal costumes flocking around like it was the Bronx Zoo, vivid jungle-themed colored lights to evoke the animated African landscape, and the sounds of Jason Dashew at the piano echoing throughout the theater. Also, familiar songs like “The Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” were a nostalgic treasure to the ears. Students assembled position as they spoke and sang their lines, and worked to stay in rhythm. With so much kinetic energy all around, it was almost hard to forget that these were just middle-schoolers — their innocence was perhaps best encapsulated by when a young girl in a zebra costume turned to ask, “What sound does a zebra even make?” and was answered with a shrug from her castmate.

Vivid colors will help conjure up those of the original 1994 animated film.
Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

BCMS’ production comprises of over 100 parents, around 80 crew members, and 80 cast members.

Concerning the former, Lindsay said the parents do “the largest share of the work like costumes, hair, makeup, and props, and also help build sets, work as ushers, run ticket sales, serve refreshments, and promote publicity for us. We rely very heavily on the parents and that’s why I see it as a community event because it brings everyone together.”

Regarding the crew who runs the lights, sounds, microphones and set changes, Lindsay perceived them as “integral […] Running crew is all students, there’s never an adult on stage when moving the sets. The students take ownership of it so it’s not all just the actors. It allows experience for everybody and we try to provide opportunities as some don’t want to be on stage and prefer doing makeup or lighting design or more.”

But for those who seek the direct spotlight, messages of humility and enthusiasm stood center stage.

Despite being just middle-schoolers, students were professional during rehearsals to recapture the Disney Renaissance’s magic.
Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

Molly Kantrowitz, a seventh-grader who plays young Nala, said, “I want to be a part of this production because it’s a good experience and it’s really fun being around friends. Young Nala is a fun, sassy character and I’m so excited to play her.”

The older version of Nala is played by Norah Johnson, also a seventh grader, who said, “I just really like the way Nala acts, she’s not intimidated by anything, and she stands up for herself. She’s like a feminist, and I’m really excited and glad I got to be in the show.”

Ben Laderas, a seventh grader too who portrays young Simba, chimed in, “I thought it was a really cool musical and I’ve always wanted to do ‘The Lion King.’ It’s my father’s favorite Disney movie.”

Some of the students — like Audri Henson who plays Sarabi and Sarah Bernasconi who portrays Rafiki — are about to start high school in the fall and have already expressed their aspirations to possibly continue doing theater there. “I want them to just keep going,” Lindsay said. “My husband and I are also involved in all the shows in the high school and we’ll continue to work with them for the next four years. They’re a great group of kids and I hope they do continue on.”

Director Lindsay Dashew, right, helps to fix a crown prop for student Gabe Martin, center, who portrays Simba.

But when asked how she feels about handling so many kids, costumes and props on a small stage in this production, she said that she sees middle school shows as more of an opportunity to teach the students more about theater, instead of just putting up a show, “I enjoy being a part of many of the students’ first experience at theater with a show this size and they get to learn more about how a rehearsal functions and the terminology stage actors use.”

She concluded, “It’s been a great experience and I want to remind people that if they haven’t bought their tickets yet, try not to do that at the door on the day of the performance. Get them before they run out!”

Photo credit: Diego Cagara / Spotlight News

DSC_2541
DSC_2554
DSC_2564
DSC_2577
DSC_2618
DSC_2633
DSC_2634
DSC_2650
DSC_2664
DSC_2683
DSC_2689
DSC_2707
DSC_2709
DSC_2741
DSC_2748
DSC_2754
DSC_2760
DSC_2763
DSC_2796
DSC_2801
DSC_2806
DSC_2808
DSC_2810
DSC_2821
DSC_2941
DSC_2950
DSC_2954
Tags: bethlehemBethlehem Central Middle SchoolBethlehem Middle SchoolmusicalThe Lion King
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

UPDATED: RCS Middle School dismissed early due to power outage

Next Post

(UPDATED) Voorheesville school students sheltered after bomb threat

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Delmar Fire Department

Updated – Breaking News: Multiple building fire near Cherry and Kenwood Avenues

May 30, 2023

Cook Park Carnival w/ photos

May 30, 2023

SPOTTED: Section 2 Track Championships

May 29, 2023

Lifestyle Change Award to presented Sunday June 4th

May 29, 2023

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Bethlehem Memorial Day Remembrances and Parade Schedule – 2023

May 28, 2023
Delmar Fire Department

Updated – Breaking News: Multiple building fire near Cherry and Kenwood Avenues

May 30, 2023

Colonie Area Weekly Police Blotter May 17th – 24th

May 28, 2023

Bethlehem Area Weekly Police Blotter May 17th – 24th

May 27, 2023
Delmar Fire Department

Updated – Breaking News: Multiple building fire near Cherry and Kenwood Avenues

May 30, 2023

Cook Park Carnival w/ photos

May 30, 2023

SPOTTED: Section 2 Track Championships

May 29, 2023

Lifestyle Change Award to presented Sunday June 4th

May 29, 2023
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Legal Notices Portal

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Election 2022
  • News
    • Crime and Police
    • Fire Departments
    • Milestones
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Fitness
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
    • Service Directory
    • Hire Power – Employer Spotlight
  • Capital District Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
  • Log In
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949