Curtain Set to Rise at Woodhull for Lion King, Jr.
Weeks of rehearsals have concluded and it’s time for the curtain to go up on the Lion King, Jr. at Woodhull Intermediate School.
The actors will take the stage Friday night at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. A packed house is expected for both performances. The show is a production of the Woodhull Theater Arts Club, which is guided by teachers Allison Von Vange and Todd Hiscox. Dozens of actors, ensemble and stage crew members have worked hard to make the show a hit.
“We are so excited for the opening of Lion King, Jr. on Friday night,” Principal Traci Roethel said. “It’s the first time Woodhull will be performing this musical since it was just released by Disney this year for schools to perform. The students have been working so hard and are looking forward to the performances. I know Ms. Von Vange is very proud of the students’ hard work and believes the audience won’t be disappointed.”
Faculty advisors, actors and stage crew members all believe the essential elements are in place for a spectacular production this weekend. “I have gotten a sneak peak of the scenery and it’s amazing,” Mrs. Rothel said. “Mr. Hiscox handmade all the main character head pieces and they may be better than the Broadway production.”
The show’s main cast includes Alexandra Kustera (Nala), Joshua Youngquist (Mufasa), Shannon Milner (Zazu), Christopher Maichin (Simba), Lauren Holly (Scar), Alexis Kaloudis (Rafiki), Emily Geller (Timon), Angie Hernandez (Pumbaa), Jean Marie Maleszewski (Sarabi), Hannah Robert (Sarafina), Katie Gallagher (Banzai), Finley Dunn (Shenzi), Sophia Segal (Ed) and Caitlin Murtagh (Mouse).
“The cast of the Lion King, Jr. has been working hard to make this the best play Woodhull has ever seen,” Assistant Principal Jarrett Stein said. “I think the audience is going to fall in love with the characters and be in awe of the set. Mrs. Roethel and I are so proud of the work accomplished by the cast, crew and directors and we’re confident you will see the fruits of their labor.”
Ms. Von Vange and Mr. Hiscox have both been teaching in the Huntington School District for two decades. Mr. Hiscox has been in the faculty fold since 1995. He obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees at Syracuse and Purdue, respectively. Ms. Von Vange’s career in the district kicked off in 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College and a master’s degree from SUNY Stony Brook.