Youth Actors Stampede Onto Stage For Disney's THE LION KING JR.

A cast of 70 youth actors will sing, dance and roar their way onto the stage during Disney's "The Lion King JR.," which plays at the Mesa Arts Center from Jan. 24 to 28. The 60-minute musical, presented by Limelight Performing Arts in conjunction with Studio 3 Performing Arts, features performers ages 5 through 14.

Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor and the 1994 Disney film, "The Lion King JR." shares the epic adventures of a curious cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destiny as king. Along the way, the young lion encounters a colorful cast of characters including spunky lioness Nala, charismatic meerkat Timon, and loveable warthog Pumbaa. To claim his rightful place on the throne and save his beloved Pridelands, Simba must find his inner strength and confront his wicked Uncle Scar.

Though performed countless times on stages across the country, Limelight has breathed new life into the classic tale. Just like the Broadway rendition, Limelight's production incorporates life-size puppets - including a 12-foot giraffe and a giant elephant that requires four actors to move. In true Limelight style, the performance also includes show-stopping musical numbers, choreography, and intricate set and costume design, heightening the magic of the beloved tale.

Audiences will tap their toes to beloved songs from the film such as"Hakuna Matata" and the Academy Award-winning "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," as well as new songs written for the Broadway production.

"The Lion King JR." will be performed at the Mesa Arts Center on the following dates and time:

• Wednesday, Jan. 24: 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Jan. 25: 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, Jan. 26: 5 and 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 27: 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan. 28: 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and are available at the Mesa Arts Center box office or online at mesaartscenter.com, search "Lion King JR." Group discounts are available. Performances are expected to sell out quickly. For more information, contact Limelight Performing Arts at (480) 545-1492.

Limelight Performing Arts, a Gilbert-based 501c3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping youth achieve their dreams. The organization provides young performers with meaningful artistic experiences, instills character and confidence, and gives students the foundational training they need to pursue their passion for performing arts.

Limelight and Studio 3 Performing Arts work in partnership to produce some of the best shows in the Valley, the state and even the Southwest. Youth who participate in Limelight's productions receive extensive training in dance, drama, voice and music, and building intangible skills like responsibility, teamwork, and other life skills that will benefit them for many years to come.

Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher and is among the world's most successful commercial theater enterprises, bringing live entertainment events to a global annual audience of more than 19 million people in more than 50 countries. Under the Disney Theatrical Productions banner,the group produces and licenses Broadway musicals around the world, including Beauty and the Beast; The Lion King; Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida; TARZAN; Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh; The Little Mermaid; Newsies; Peter and the Starcatcher; and Aladdin. Other successful stage musical ventures have included King David in concert, the national tour of On the Record, several touring versions of Disney's High School Musical, and Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin.

Disney Theatrical Group also delivers live shows globally through its license to Feld Entertainment, producer of Disney on Ice and Disney Live! For over 30 years, Disney on Ice and Disney Live!have brought beloved Disney stories and characters annually to over 12 million guests in nearly 50 countries worldwide through productions such as Toy Story 3, Dare to Dream, Rockin' Ever After, and Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure. In addition, DTG licenses musical titles for local, school, and community theater productions through Music Theatre International.

Music Theatre International (MTI) www.mtishows.com, is one of the world's leading dramatic licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theaters from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists, and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials, and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the U.S. and in over 60 countries worldwide.

MTI is particularly dedicated to the idea of theater as education and has created special collections for younger performers. The MTI Broadway Junior Collection includes JR. titles, 60-minute musicals for performance by middle school children; and KIDStitles, 30-minute musicals for performance by elementary school children. MTI School Editions are musicals that have been annotated for performance by high school students, and the Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA) Collection are 70-minute musicals designed for adults to perform for children.