Disney's The Lion King Jr is the BEST family event this summer!

The Burlington Educational Summer Theatre (BEST) celebrates its eighth year of summer fun in the performing arts with Disney’s The Lion King Jr! Performances will take place on July 28 at 7:00 pm and July 29 at 2:00 pm in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center of Burlington High School.

Disney's The Lion King Jr. has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world. Adapted from the animated Disney movie and Broadway hit, the African savannah comes to life with Simba, Rafiki and an unforgettable cast of characters as they journey from Pride Rock to the jungle... and back again, in this inspiring, coming-of-age tale.

Leading the cast is Cameron Noonan as Simba. He is joined by Molly Haggerty as Rafiki, Isabella Gill as Nala, Jack Haroutunian as Mufasa, Douglas Edwards as Scar, Henry Estes as Timon and Sean Donovan as Pumbaa.

Also, Henry Wright as Young Simba, Jade Kim as Young Nala, Jackson Powers as Banzai the Hyena, Owen Reimold as Zazu, Valerie Reynolds as Shenzi the Hyena, Katie Clifford as Sarabi, Erica Czerwinski as Sarafina and Aleczander Fulciniti as Ed the Hyena.

Animals of the Prideland are Cassidy Myer, Priya Patel, Angelina Riley, Emma Sampson, Ella Tedesco, Maya Tillem, Mia Gesualdi, Nicole Hatch, Mariela Hopkins, Lea Marshall, Emily Murphy, Julia Boldezar, Allison Boyle, Ava Brehm, Ciara Cameron, Kathryn Campbell, Alexandra Davidson, Julia DeVito, Natalie DeVito, Emerson Waisnor, Henry Wright and Alina Zhang.

In the roles of Lionesses are Emma Naddaff, Maeve O’Callaghan, Erin O’Neil, Vittoria Rodrigues, Jensine Wagner, Emily Gillis, Sara Gluck, Olivia Janasik, Julia Lane, Gabrielle Mallard, Alexa Meehan, Rozzie Moe, Shira Arokiaraj, Lauren Aucoin, Madison Chute and Ella Woods.

Hyenas are played by Joachim Arokiaraj, Ryan Brown, Natalie Carey, Paul Conti, Ellie Dewar, Bobby Nevola, Max O’Brien, Julia Shvartsman, Sienna Silva and Julia Valanzola.

The Burlington Educational Summer Theatre is a program for elementary and middle schools students. Now in its eighth year, resources of the Burlington Public School system support the program making it a unique and low-cost educational experience compared to many independently run youth summer theatre programs.

Executive Director of the BEST program is John Middleton-Cox. He is joined by a full staff of professionals in their fields including Director Warren Scott Friedman, Choreographer Thomas Hardy, Music Director Steve Black, Scenic Designer and Technical Director Peter Waldron, Costume Designer Maureen Krebs, Production Consultant Kevin Parker, Program Manager Kim Cook and Workshop Director Erin Lane who leads the BEST program for grades one through five.

Tickets for Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. range from $10-$15 and are now available at www.BurlingtonTheatre.com, 781-A-FUN-TIC, tickets@bpsk12.org and at the door.

The Fogelberg Performing Arts Center, an accessible venue, is located at 123 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA, on the campus of Burlington High School.