Production of 'Lion King Jr.' inspires creativity and pride

Jul. 26—All theatrical productions take pride in their art, but Creative Arts Productions, the children's theater summer camp, gave pride a whole new meaning with its production of "The Lion King Jr."

"I really just like the essence of 'Lion King,'" said Anthony Halloran, who plays "Scar" in the show. "It has this big, big name to (it) and you can do it anywhere, even with this junior production. I mean it's just really good, just like the Broadway show."

In just three weeks, the cast and crew of CAP must turn an idea into an art. Through hard work, performance lessons and a few improv games, these kids form a bond that goes beyond cast members and keeps them coming back every summer for years.

"My favorite part of CAP is the family we build," Margo Lonjers, who plays "Nala," said. "You can tell everyone up there is having so much fun during the process and in the show. Just building relationships you know are gonna last for a while."

William Calderwood, who acts in the show as "Mufasa," agrees.

"I don't always come here for the show, I come here really for the people," he said. "The Cappers and the staff even. It's really amazing to come back over and over again and see the people and see the new people and just have this massive community that we have made."

Along with their fellow performers, the kids enthused about their joy of working with the staff, such as director Brady Greer Huffman. Greer Huffman worked with CAP for several years in various staff and advising roles. He recently moved to California, but returned for the summer to work on "The Lion King Jr.", and the kids couldn't be more excited about it.

"I heard amazing things about Brady, our director and his incredible work," Halloran said. "When I first got Scar, I really just thought from his name, I knew (Scar) was kind of sassy but he's really helped me get into character...He's just taught me so many things about Scar, which I wouldn't have realized."

CAP's productions also help young performers branch out from their typical roles.

"I've never really had that before as a role and I feel like that was really great to have. It was pretty challenging because usually I'm like a comedic relief in a lot of other shows, and then in this one I was more like serious and a little more, honestly, sad. So it was a little more of a challenge for me, but it was really fun."

The Lion King Jr. will take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Missouri Theater.