Disney’s The Lion King Jr. Character Breakdown
Rafiki
A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, a confident performer with a strong singing voice.
Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Ensemble
The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers in "The Lioness Hunt" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King."
Mufasa
The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Gender: Male Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Sarabi
A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen. Gender: Female
Zazu
The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Both
Scar
The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: A3
Young Simba
The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Simba
Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Lionesses
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." These actors will sing and dance.
Young Nala
A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind.
Gender: Female Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Nala
Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar
Gender: Female Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Sarafina
A featured lioness and Nala's mother.
Gender: Female
Shenzi
One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Banzai
A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness.
Ed
The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl.
Hyenas
Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared."
Gender: Both
Timon
An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl.
Gender: Both Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: B3
Pumbaa
A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.
Gender: Both Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: D4
Rafiki
A wise mandrill who acts as healer of the Pridelands and guides Simba on his journey home. She is an omniscient character, evincing an air of mystery. Rafiki has significant solos in "Circle of Life" and "He Lives in You," and leads the African chants throughout the show, a confident performer with a strong singing voice.
Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Ensemble
The ensemble plays various inhabitants of the Pridelands, such as giraffes, elephants, antelopes, wildebeest, and other creatures you choose to include. This group can have as few or as many performers as your production permits. There are also several moments to showcase individual dancers in "The Lioness Hunt" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King."
Mufasa
The strong, honorable, and wise lion who leads the Pridelands. Mufasa should command respect onstage and also show tenderness with his son, Simba. Gender: Male Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Sarabi
A featured lioness, Mufasa's mate, and Simba's mother. Sarabi has a few key speaking lines for an actor who can deliver the care and command of a queen. Gender: Female
Zazu
The anxious yet loyal assistant to Mufasa who is always busy trying to do his duty. Zazu's lyrics are spoken rather than sung, and the role can be played by a boy or girl.
Gender: Both
Scar
The antagonist of the show, overcome with jealousy of his brother, Mufasa, and nephew, Simba. Coldhearted and wickedly intelligent, he will stop at nothing to become king of the Pridelands.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: A4 Vocal range bottom: A3
Young Simba
The protagonist of the story, is an adventurous and endearing cub who can't wait to be king of the Pridelands. Simba is playful, energetic, and naive, but after his father Mufasa's death, Simba struggles with shame and his destiny.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Simba
Grows from a cub to lion in "Hakuna Matata." Older Simba has more complex moments as he reunites with Nala, mourns his father, and returns to confront Scar.
Gender: Male Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: B3
Lionesses
The fierce hunters of the Pridelands and featured in "The Lioness Hunt," "The Mourning," and "Shadowland." These actors will sing and dance.
Young Nala
A courageous lion and Young Simba's best friend. She is not afraid to speak her mind.
Gender: Female Vocal range top: C5 Vocal range bottom: A3
Nala
Grows from a cub to a lioness before she confronts Scar
Gender: Female Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: G3
Sarafina
A featured lioness and Nala's mother.
Gender: Female
Shenzi
One of Scar's hyenas who plot to take over the Pridelands. She is the sassy one of the trio and is always looking out for herself. With Banzai and Ed, she should be able to laugh loudly and long, as well as be menacing to Young Simba and Young Nala.
Banzai
A slick yet childish hyena who works for Scar. He would be the leader of the group if hyenas weren't so lazy. Look for an outgoing and confident actor who can portray nastiness and gruffness.
Ed
The third member of Scar's trio of lackeys. He has a loud, cackling laugh that is his only form of communication. Ed should be played by an actor who can laugh unabashedly and communicate through physicality and facial expressions rather than words. This role can be played by a boy or girl.
Hyenas
Scar's army, helping carry out his evil plot to take over the Pridelands. Hyenas are mangy, mindless creatures who sing in "Be Prepared."
Gender: Both
Timon
An outcast meerkat who lives in the jungle with Pumbaa. He is afraid of his own shadow, but pretends to be the confident, relaxed leader of the duo. Timon is one of the funniest characters in the show and should be played by a charismatic actor who understands comic timing. This part can be played by a boy or a girl.
Gender: Both Vocal range top: B4 Vocal range bottom: B3
Pumbaa
A kindhearted, sensitive warthog who enjoys his simple life of grubs and relaxation. boy or girl who can portray this loveable and loyal friend to Timon and Simba with deadpan humor.
Gender: Both Vocal range top: G5 Vocal range bottom: D4