Penguin Project performance of The Lion King Jr. set for Friday and Saturday at Bunnell Elementary School

The Flagler Playhouse's fourth annual Penguin Project production includes about 50 actors on stage between the ages of 8 and 25.

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Flagler Playhouse's Penguin Project presentation of The Lion King Jr. is scheduled for Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.), June 5-6, in the Bunnell Elementary School cafeteria.

"The Penguin Project provides special-ability children an opportunity to perform on stage and allow their peer mentors the opportunity to grow and learn with them," said Jerri Berry, Flagler Playhouse's president.

This is the fourth annual Penguin Project play produced by Flagler Playhouse, which is one of six Penguin Project chapters in the state of Florida. Each production takes about four months of preparation with the participants, Berry said. 

The Lion King Jr. presentation will have about 50 actors on stage between the ages of 8 and 25, Berry said. Two of the actors use wheel chairs and one uses a walker. Different actors play the younger Simba, and the older Simba. A lot of family members, including siblings and cousins, are involved in this production, Berry said.

A group of mothers took over costume creation, spending months creating papier-mâché animal heads and custom-tailoring costumes for every actor. Berry said the group took over a room at the school and made it their sewing center.

Royalties, production staff, costumes and equipment run about $10,000 each year for the Penguin project productions, Berry said. The Playhouse has received a Florida cultural grant to help with costs, but they are still looking for sponsors to fill the gap.

Tickets for The Lion King Jr. are $21.50 online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/FlaglerPlayhouse/2181 or $20, cash only, at the door.

 

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