Script
Audition Central: Disney's The Lion King JR. OLD
Script: Young Simba
SIDE 1
MUFASA
(looks out over the Pridelands)
Look, Simba: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
YOUNG SIMBA
Wow...
MUFASA
A king s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king.
YOUNG SIMBA
And this ll all be mine?
MUFASA
Everything
YOUNG SIMBA
(in awe)
Everything the light touches...
(looks off in the distance)
What about that shadowy place way out there?
MUFASA
That s beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.
YOUNG SIMBA
But I thought a king can do whatever he wants.
MUFASA
Well, there s a lot more to being a king than getting your way all the time.
YOUNG SIMBA
(pointing in the distance)
Dad, what are those birds over there?
MUFASA
They re buzzards.
YOUNG SIMBA
They re scary. Why don t you chase em away?
MUFASA
I don t have to. They re doing what they re supposed to do. You see, Simba, everything exists in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.
YOUNG SIMBA
But Dad, don t we eat the antelope?
MUFASA
Yes, but when we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. Everything is connected in the great circle of life.
SIDE 2
(SCAR lounges in the shade. YOUNG SIMBA enters.)
YOUNG SIMBA
Hey, Uncle Scar! Guess what? I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock!
SCAR
Oh, goodie. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.
YOUNG SIMBA
My dad just showed me the whole kingdom! And I'm gonna rule it all!
SCAR
(scheming)
Really? He didn't show you what's beyond that rise at the northern border, did he?
YOUNG SIMBA
Well, no. He said I can't go there.
SCAR
And he's absolutely right! It's far too dangerous. Only the bravest of lions go there.
YOUNG SIMBA
Well, I'm brave. What's out there?
SCAR
I'm sorry, Simba... I just can't tell you.
YOUNG SIMBA
Why not?
SCAR
An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince.
YOUNG SIMBA
An elephant what?
SCAR
Oops.
YOUNG SIMBA
Whoa!
SCAR
Oh dear, I've said too much. Well, I suppose you'd have found out sooner or later - you being so clever and all. Just promise me you'll never visit that dreadful place.
YOUNG SIMBA
No problem, Uncle Scar.
SCAR
There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun. And remember: It's our little secret.
SIDE 3
ZAZU
Step lively! The sooner we get to the waterhole, the sooner we can leave!
(SIMBA and NALA whisper conspiratorially.)
YOUNG NALA
So where're we really goin'?
YOUNG SIMBA
An elephant graveyard.
YOUNG NALA
(loudly)
Wow!
YOUNG SIMBA
Shhhh! Zazu...
YOUNG NALA
Right. So how're we gonna ditch the dodo?
(YOUNG SIMBA and YOUNG NALA huddle. ZAZU, thrilled, flies to them.)
ZAZU
Oh, just look! Little seeds of romance blossoming in the savanna! And one day you two will be married!
YOUNG SIMBA, YOUNG NALA
Yuck! Eewwww!
YOUNG SIMBA
I can't marry her. She's my friend.
YOUNG NALA
Yeah. It'd be too weird.
ZAZU
Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you two turtle doves have no choice. It's a tradition going back generations.
YOUNG SIMBA
Well, when I'm king, that'll be the first thing to go.
ZAZU
Not as long as I'm around.
YOUNG SIMBA
In that case, you're fired.
ZAZU
Nice try. But only the king can do that.
YOUNG NALA
Well, he is the future king.
YOUNG SIMBA
Yeah! So you have to do what I tell you!
ZAZU
Not yet , I don't! And with an attitude like that, I'm afraid you will be a pretty pathetic king, indeed!
YOUNG SIMBA
Not the way I see it!