WEBVTT

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Welcome back.

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Now that you've explored
the world of The Lion King, let's

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get to know the characters
and dive into the plot.

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The Lion King Junior is a special musical
for young performers,

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based on the 1994 Disney animated feature
The Lion King

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and the 1997 Broadway musical
directed by Julie Taymor.

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The characters of The Lion King
are inspired by animals

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that can be found on
and around the African savanna.

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Here's a brief overview.

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Rafiki is the wise, shaman-like mandrill,
a large monkey related to the baboon.

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She observes Simba as he matures
and offers some advice on his journey.

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Simba is the brave young lion,
Prince of the Pride Lands.

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He's the hero of our story.

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Mufasa is Simba's father
and King of the Pride Lands.

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Sarabi is the Queen,

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Simba's mother and leader of the lionesses.

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Zazu is a hornbill,

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the anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa.

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Nala is the fearless young lioness

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and Simba's best friend.

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Timon and Pumbaa befriend Simba
after he leaves the Pride Lands.

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Timon is a sarcastic and playful meerkat
who roams the jungle

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with his sidekick Pumbaa,
a kind-hearted and sensitive warthog.

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Every good story has a villain.

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Scar is Mufasa’s brother and Simba's uncle.

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He wants nothing more than to become king
himself.

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Scar raises an army of hyenas,
including Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed,

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mangy and ruthless scavengers
who live just outside the Pride Lands.

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These characters work with the ensemble,
who play other animals

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and even some plants,
to tell the story of The Lion King.

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The Lion King Junior
is a condensed version of The Lion King,

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which can be seen on Broadway
and in productions around the world.

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The play begins with Rafiki gathering
animals from near and far to welcome

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the newborn cub of Mufasa and Sarabi,
the rulers of the Pride Lands.

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As the firstborn,
Simba is next in line to the throne.

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The King's jealous brother, Scar, skips
the royal ceremony, which angers Mufasa.

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Simba grows into a curious young cub.

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Mufasa explains the rules of balance
in the Pride Lands.

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As the Circle of Life continues and time
passes,

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Simba will one day become king.

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Plotting the young cub's downfall,

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Scar encourages Simba

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to explore the forbidden
Elephant Graveyard to prove his bravery.

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Simba takes Nala on a great adventure.
After ditching Zazu,

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they trespass into the Elephant Graveyard,
where they are trapped by hyenas.

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Mufasa arrives in time to save the cubs
and takes them home.

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Scar emerges and reveals his big scheme
to steal the throne.

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Back in the Pride Lands,
Mufasa tells Simba to look for guidance

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from their ancestors
who reside in the stars.

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The next day, Scar leaves Simba in a gorge

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and triggers a huge wildebeest stampede.

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Mufasa saves his son, but

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Scar pushes Mufasa back into the gorge,
where he is trampled.

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Scar leads Simba to believe that
Mufasa’s death

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is his fault and encourages him
to flee the Pride Lands forever.

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Sarabi, Nala, and Rafiki mourn
the loss of Mufasa

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and Simba, as Scar assumes
the throne of the Pride Lands.

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Lost in the desert,

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Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa,

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who share their
worry-free lifestyle with him.

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Under Scar's rule,

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the Pride Lands are nearly destroyed.

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Nala leaves in search of help
and is surprised to find Simba

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alive in the jungle.

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After celebrating the reunion,
Simba is still riddled with guilt.

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He refuses to take his rightful place
as king until Rafiki reminds him

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that life is all about learning
from the past.

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Simba returns home to confront Scar, who

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ultimately confesses his murder of Mufasa
and is banished.

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Simba becomes King and balance is restored
to the Pride Lands.

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Today, we reviewed the characters
and plot of The Lion King.

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Now you'll dive deeper into the world of
the show by putting some events in order

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and performing scenes from the beginning,
middle, and end of the play.

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Have fun!