There are lessons to be learned in Disney’s “The Lion King KIDS,” according to Jenna Veverka, who directs the family musical for the Highland Park Players.
“I believe the show is about growth, overcoming challenges, friendships, healing, and a lot of self-discovery,” she said. “Watching Simba grow to become an adult live in front of you shows the challenges of what it means to grow up.”
Wheeling resident Veverka will bring these lessons to audiences on 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., Feb. 7 and 15, and 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. Feb. 8 and 14 at the Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road. Highland Park. Tickets are $18. For reservations, visit highlandparkplayers.org.
The much-loved tale of “The Lion King” follows a lion cub named Simba who is in line to be king of the Pride Lands. The king’s brother has other plans, leading to a dark time in the Pride Lands until Simba musters the courage to reclaim his rightful throne.
Director Veverka has been involved in theater onstage and behind the scenes since childhood, from acting to props, wigs, hair, and makeup, but this is her first time directing. “It was like a dream come true,” she said. “I was very grateful for Highland Park giving me this opportunity.”
It is especially meaningful, she indicated, because she loves the show.
A bonus is that her boyfriend, Henry Allan, is the music director. “We get along really well and he’s helped me navigate the theater world,” she said.
Veverka indicated that she is enjoying directing children. “I really like the fact that they all have their own unique personalities,” she said. “They’re all so sweet and they’re all very, very talented, too.”
She leads a cast of 14 young people, ranging in age from 8 to 15.
Veverka said that she is enjoying “using my creative freedom to direct the show.” That includes emphasizing character development with the cast.
“I always ask them at the beginning of rehearsal, ‘What is one trait that you describe for your character? What is one thing your character wants?’”
Her cast includes 10-year-old Vivian Davis of Deerfield, who plays Rafiki. The Walden Elementary School fifth grader performed in “Finding Nemo” last year with Highland Park Players. She has acted with several other companies, starting when she was four or five years old.
“Rafiki is the narrator of the story. He helps guide the story,” Vivian said. “Rafiki is an interesting character to play because he has a mysterious personality. That makes it really fun. He knows what’s happening next in the story and he’s very wise.”
She said that she likes the story of the musical because “It’s talking about growing up and challenges you might have to face in life and being brave. The message of the play is that you have to be brave sometimes and face some fears. Everything’s just part of growing up.”
Vivian said her favorite song in the show is “He Lives in You” because “it has a very nice vibe. It’s very motivating and it makes me want to keep singing.”
Vivian said that she had decided to audition for “The Lion King KIDS” because when she performed in “Finding Nemo, “I liked playing on the kids-by-kids show because I would always remember when I was younger and going to a lot of shows, it would put a smile on my face. I really hope to do that for other kids.”
Nine-year-old Evan Fenton of Deerfield, who plays Timon, a wisecracking meerkat, is a fourth-grader at Kipling Elementary School. This is her fifth show with the Highland Park Players.
“He’s a funny guy,” Evan said of her character. “I’m funny, too.”
“Hakuna Matata” is one of Evan’s favorite songs in the show.
She likes the story of “The Lion King” because “There are animals in it,” Evan said.
Evan noted that the story teaches “How to grow up and be yourself.”
The young actor said that she enjoys being onstage because, “I get to pretend to be someone else and make people happy.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.