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The Story (Act One) | The Story (Act Two) | Characters
 Pride Rock
Sunrise on the savanna. Rafiki, the wise old baboon, calls the
animals to Pride Rock, singing about the Circle of Life ("Circle of
Life"). She greets Mufasa, the Lion King, and his queen, Sarabi.
Climbing the great rock, Rafiki lifts their newborn son for all to
see.
Scar's Cave
Mufasa's brother, Scar, laments the unfairness of his life, and is
about to attack Mufasas major domo, the hornbill Zazu, when Mufasa
confronts him. Scar resents the new prince and the cub's place as
next in line to be king.
 Rafiki's Tree
Meanwhile, in a giant tree, Rafiki calls upon the spirits to conjure
the new princes name: Simba. She draws a picture of young Simba on
the trees trunk.
The
Pridelands
Time has passed, and Simba has grown into a cocky young cub. Mufasa
leads his son to the summit of Pride Rock. Mufasa and Simba look
down on the Pridelands the kingdom that one day, when he is king,
Simba will rule. Mufasa tells Simba that everything lives together
in a delicate balance called the Circle of Life. He warns Simba
never to go beyond the boundaries of the Pridelands.
 Zazu arrives to give Mufasa the report on all activities in the
Pridelands ("The Morning Report"), but Simba would rather practice
his pouncing. Zazu learns that hyenas have crossed the borders of
the Pridelands, and Mufasa leaves immediately.
Scar's Cave
Playing on Simbas curiosity, Scar tells his nephew that the
forbidden land beyond the border of the Pridelands is an Elephant
Graveyard.
The Pridelands
After the lionesses of the pride have hunted ("Lioness Hunt"), Simba
invites his best friend, Nala, to join him in exploring a mysterious
new place. Their mothers give them permission to go, with Zazu as a
chaperone.
As Simba joyfully describes how he will someday rule the kingdom
("I Just Cant Wait to Be King"), Simba and Nala are able to slip
away from Zazu.
 Elephant Graveyard
Now alone, Simba and Nala explore the creepy Elephant Graveyard.
Zazu catches up and begs them to leave. Too late! Three hyenas
surround them: Banzai, Shenzi, and Ed. The hungry hyenas gloat over
their prey ("Chow Down"). Suddenly Mufasa appears, beating the
hyenas back. The king takes Simba, Nala and Zazu back to the
Pridelands.
Under The Stars
Mufasa is very disappointed in Simba; he could have been killed, and
he put Nala in danger. Simba tells his father he was only trying to
be brave, like Mufasa. Mufasa tells Simba that bravery doesnt mean
looking for trouble. When Simba asks his father if they will always
be together, Mufasa looks up at the stars in the night sky and tells
Simba that the great kings of the past will always be there to guide
him ("They Live In You").
Elephant Graveyard
Back in the Elephant Graveyard, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed are licking
their wounds. Scar appears and tells them to be prepared for the
death of Mufasa and the coming of a new king Scar ("Be Prepared").
Zazu apologizes to Mufasa for Simbas behavior. Mufasa jokes with
his aide, but admits he is worried about Simba. Zazu reminds the
king of his own headstrong youth.
The Gorge
Scar brings Simba to the Gorge, telling his nephew that Mufasa has a
surprise for him. As Scar leaves, he signals the hyenas. They have
been instructed by Scar to start a stampede of wildebeests. The
wildebeests thunder into the canyon, and Simba runs for his life.
Scar tells Mufasa that Simba is trapped in the Gorge, and the Lion
King races to save his son. Mufasa leaps into the Gorge toward Simba
who is hanging on to the branch of a dead tree. Mufasa manages to
get Simba to safety, but is pulled back into the mass of
wildebeests. Mufasa is wounded, but succeeds in leaping to safety,
clinging desperately to a cliff by his claws. Scar looks down at his
brother, who begs him for help. Scar digs his claws into Mufasas
arms and whispers, "Long live the king," then throws Mufasa beneath
the hooves of the stampeding wildebeests.
When the dust clears, Simba finds Mufasas lifeless body. Scar
appears and makes Simba believe Mufasas death was his fault. Scar
tells Simba to leave the Pridelands and never return. Scar orders
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed to kill Simba, but the lazy hyenas decide to
let the cub go and not tell Scar.
Pride Rock
Rafiki and the lionesses mourn the loss of their king ("Eulogy").
They also believe that Simba has been killed. Scar climbs to the top
of Pride Rock with the hyenas and assumes the throne ("Be Prepared
Reprise").
Rafiki's Tree
Rafiki, Sarabi and Nala are left alone. As they sing a mourning
chant, Rafiki wipes away the drawing of Simba. The young prince, and
the hope he stood for, is gone.
 The Desert / The Jungle
Exhausted from running away, Simba collapses on the parched earth
under a hot sun. Buzzards swoop down to dine on the cub. Timon, a
wisecracking meerkat and Pumbaa, a big-hearted warthog, charge at
the birds, scattering them into the sky. Timon and Pumbaa befriend
Simba, sharing their philosophy of life: "Hakuna Matata," which
means "no worries." ("Hakuna Matata") Simba stays with his new
friends in the jungle, growing from a cub into a young lion.
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