1 of 8

Zaide Paine as Simba and Terrence Robinson as Mufasa practice during a dress rehearsal for The Lion King Wednesday at The Natchez Little Theatre.

Natalie Ainsworth as Rafiki sits during break at a dress rehearsal for The Lion King Wednesday at The Natchez Little Theatre.

The cast of The Lion King burst into song during their break Wednesday during a dress rehearsal at Natchez Little Theatre.

Samuel Ferguson, as Scar and Parker Claire Maxwell as Zazu during a dress rehearsal for The Lion King Wednesday at The Natchez Little Theatre.

Terrence Robinson performs as Mufasa as Xavian Lewis performs as Simba during a dress rehearsal for The Lion King Wednesday at the Natchez Little Theatre.

Avian Lewis performs as Simba during a dress rehearsal Wednesday before their performance,of The Lion King Thursday at the Natchez Little Theatre.

The Lion King cast stands on stage during their final dress rehearsal Wednesday before their performance Thursday at the Natchez Little Theatre.

NATCHEZ — African culture will take center stage this weekend as the Natchez Little Theatre presents an adaptation of the Broadway classic, “The Lion King.”

Showtimes for “The Lion King” are 7:30 tonight through Saturday night and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the auditorium at Linton Avenue and Maple Street. All tickets are $20 each.

NLT Executive Director Layne Taylor, said both Miss-Lou talent and performers from as far away as Miami have worked tirelessly to debut a live musical that goes beyond the portrayal of Disney’s beloved animated characters.

“All of this is a celebration of African culture,” he said. “The music, the masks and the face paint are all symbolic of four big tribes in Africa.”

Taylor said composers translated film scores created by Elton John and Hans Zimmer into an award-winning Broadway production that will be abbreviated into a roughly two-hour-long show.

He said NLT has already sold approximately 100 tickets to each of the four performances to patrons from throughout the Miss-Lou to as far away as New England.

“We probably only have 100 tickets left to all four performances,” Taylor said. “I encourage people to make reservations.”

He said although NLT has earned prestige statewide, the theater is undergoing a financial strain due to the loss of government funding.

“We are one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the state … and we’re struggling,” Taylor said. “Natchez has a little jewel in this little community theater, and that is our local talent.”

The production features the following cast members: Mufasa played by the musical director Terrence Robinson; young Simba played by Zaide Paine; adult Simba played by Xavian Lewis; young Nala played by Lizzie Fife; adult Nala played by choreographer Sydney Eidt; Rafiki played by an NLT newcomer from Zachary, Louisiana, Natalie Ainsworth; Pumbaa played by Morgan Baskin; Timon played by Anabella Laird; Shenzi played by Jyrah Griffin; Banzai played by Arrocus Baskin; Ed played by Vincent White; Zazu played by Parker Claire Maxwell; Sarabi played by Alexes Denton; Sarafina played by Addison Laird and Julia Richardson; and the villain, Scar, played by Samuel Ferguson in his NLT debut. Also in her debut performance is three-month-old Katrina Solano, who will portray baby Simba and Simba’s heir.

Taylor said he is grateful to the entire NLT community for their contributions to this performance.

“We’ve had an incredible support from the community,” Taylor said. “Literally every parent of the kids in the show was involved, and even some who aren’t parents.”

To purchase tickets in advance visit natcheztheatre.org or call 601-442-2233.

More News

GALLERY: Comm-UNITY Thanksgiving welcomes everyone to dine in, fellowship

Natchez native Ollie Reed Jr. dies at 76 after a half-century of journalism excellence

Daisy Street shooting victim said he does not know who shot him

Mayor re-dedicates City Hall on its 100th birthday