By Sarah Opdahl

New Fairfield Elementary School is about to be at a full roar with a production of The Lion King, Kids Version. Over two dozen fourth and fifth graders are ready to sing and dance to all of the classic Disney movie/musical songs for their peers, teachers, and parents.

When asked why she chose The Lion King, Director Angela Sbano, who has elevated youth theater in New Fairfield exponentially, said, “I wanted something that felt new-to-the-town, with lots of animals because it would feel very unique just to the Elementary School. Somehow Lion King never crossed my mind.” Instead, she said, “I was thinking more along the lines of Jungle Book or Madagascar, and when I shared this with my music director at St Ed’s, Barbara Kovacs, she suggested Lion King, and a lightbulb went off and I knew instantly it was the right choice!”

The Lion King, Kids Version is produced by license with MTI (Music Theatre International). Shorter than the full Broadway or Junior editions, the Kids version fits the abilities and attention span of the various age groups of the performers and audience. The version shortens the dialogue, songs, and greatly modifies or eliminates the “darker” or scarier moments. Of directing this group, Sbano says, “They are just the cutest kids – I enjoy it so much. We meet three days a week right after school from 3:30-5, and we started back in  February.” She shared that she likes “to have a long rehearsal period to have ample time for teaching them theater techniques, playing theater games, studying the music, learning the choreography, and getting comfortable up on the stage.” She added that to help get their stage legs, they even had talent shows “where it was everyone’s job to hype up their friends after their performance— and the performances ranged from showing double-jointed elbows to telling knock-knock jokes to singing duets to performing cheer stunts.”

Sbano emphasized, “These kids love to shake their tail feathers, so the dance numbers are always their favorite songs. Our choreographer, Missy Arizzi from Just Dance, worked her magic and gave the kids peppy, upbeat moves to match the music in ‘I Just Can’t Wait to Be King’ and ‘Hakuna Matata.’

They also really enjoy ‘Circle of Life’ with its opening animal parade and ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ with fun ribbon-waving.” She noted that “Scar has a great song, ‘Be Prepared,’ that also shows off our feisty hyenas as back-up-dancers.  My favorite is the moody melody of ‘He Lives in You’ featuring kids holding starlight on a dark stage.”

Sbano has a solid network of theater friends in this and other neighboring towns and was able to borrow much of what was needed for costumes and props. She shared, “Interestingly, the role of Rafiki is split into 4 parts, so we had to make a bunch of our own Rafiki costumes. My costumer, Danielle Cotignola, absolutely knocked it out of the park with creating unique looks and constructing truly special pieces and accessories to fit our tiny cast members.” Money saved on the costumes was reappropriate for a better sound system and microphones.

Carrying the fun into the summer, Sbano is introducing a new strategy for her annual theater camp. “We are holding a one-week performance camp where the kids get to pick their own scenes and songs! Our theme this summer is hits from movies and musicals and I am excited to partner with Missy Arizzi, who will coach dance, while I will coach the kids in acting and singing. Unlike a full musical, this format affords every kid the chance to experience ‘lead role’ responsibility.” She said, “Also, now that we have musicals in every New Fairfield school, I didn’t see the “need” for another [full] musical, but rather I did recognize a need for all kids to strengthen their performance skills so they can head into next year’s school shows feeling confident, experienced, and capable.” There are still spaces available in the camp. For more information email Angela Sbano at: amsbano@gmail.com

A sneak peek for next year’s shows was just released…the Junior Rebel Players middle school musical this fall will be “Oliver Jr! We are excited to have Kate Kovacs join the ranks, fresh off her amazing job directing New Fairfield High School’s spring production of Addam’s Family. Also returning this fall for Oliver is Andrew Gadwah as Music Director and Stephanie Strazza as producer,” Sbano shared.