The Rivers Middle School Players Present The Lion King Jr.
The Rivers Middle School Players invite you to join them for a visually lush, dance-filled production of The Lion King, Jr. The first show will open on Thursday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m. with additional performances on Friday, May 18, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre.
"It’s been wonderful to work with this cast,” said Director Diane DeVore. “I am impressed by their work onstage and the way they have supported and encouraged one another off stage as well."
"It’s been wonderful to work with this cast,” said Director Diane DeVore. “I am impressed by their work onstage and the way they have supported and encouraged one another off stage as well."
Under the guidance of Ms. DeVore and co-director Julia Auster, the cast, which this year boasts both new and familiar faces, will present an abbreviated production that features many of the songs immortalized in the Broadway hit, adapted especially for middle school voices.
“We’ve asked a great deal of them in this show with singing, dancing, multiple quick costumes changes, and a relatively short rehearsal time frame,” acknowledged Ms. DeVore.”
The students have been diligently practicing their musical numbers with music director John Bower and choreographer Kathy Encarnacao. Adding her incomparable touch to the production as costume designer is Judy Weiner, who assembled an amazing array of outfits from a variety of sources. Theater veteran Cathy Favreau has gathered a jungle full of props, Chris Love designed and painted the sets, Ian O’Malley oversaw set construction, and Chris Fournier handled lighting.
“What Judy Weiner—and the whole production team—has pulled off once again is nothing short of amazing!” said Ms. Devore.
On Wednesday, the Middle School Players put on two community performances during the school day for their fellow Middle School students and any faculty who are available.
The Middle School Players (listed in order of appearance):
Cristina Gomez ’23, Theo Teng ’22, Janelle Shulman ’22, Finn McCusker ’22, Emma Braudis ’22, Alex Massarotti ’23, Colin Falvey ’23, Isabelle Canty ’22, Celina Chen ’22, Crystie Frometa ’23, Lila Parker ’23, Caroline Chung ’24, Rinny Leeming ’23, Natalia Ramos ’22, Lily Girard ’22, Shay Pipe ’22, Jack DosSantos ’23, Anna Monaghan ’22, Maddie Foley ’22, Chad Bartlett ’24, Ian Brown ’22, Tyler Cornetta ’23, Caroline Butter ’22, Harrison Carswell ’24, Phoebe Fogel ’24, Kyle Hata ’24, Leila Saponaro ’24, Lucy TonThat ’22, and Jack Willard ’24.
The Set Crew: Tyler Cornetta ’23, Crystie Frometa ’23, Jacqueline Lee ’23, Anna Monaghan ’22, Lila Parker ’23, Sarah Stein ’23, Lucy TonThat ’22, Michael Wu ’23, and Vanessa Xue ’23.
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