Hakuna matata—it means no worries for the rest of your days, because Artista Academy is performing the Lion King this weekend!
Well, maybe that last part doesn't fit the definition, or the song, but it sure is true. On April 26 and 27, the theatre group will be performing the beloved, musical classic at Steinbach Regional Secondary School with showtimes at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.
Excitingly, and sadly, all of them are sold out.
"Almost 2,000 tickets, and they were gone in 90 minutes. Absolutely crazy," says Gabriela Gallo, the show's director. "My jaw just about hit the floor, I couldn't believe it."
She says this is the first year of Artista Academy, and it's been an incredible start, with more than 150 kids between grade two and grade eight auditioning for 110 spots.
Given the number of kids involved, she says rehearsals have only been twice a month—with a total of 14 to 16 ahead of the big performance.
"It seems insane, but it's worth the process to allow more people to be in it," she says.
Journey Janzen and Orrin Friesen are two members of the cast. Janzen plays Zazu, and Friesen plays Simba.
"I love the British accent, it's so fun," Janzen says of her role, and hints at a "very blue and sparkly" rendition of I Just Can't Wait to be King.
She says she has been performing since was in third grade, but has always loved singing.
Friesen says his favourite part in all the show is Hakuna Matata.
"It's like the moment that shows the trio (and) how close we are, and how we grow together," he says.
Among the skills he says he's learned as a part of Artista Academy include acting, but also getting to understand people better and memorize things.
"It's quite difficult, but it's fun," he says.
Gallo says it's hard not to get teary eyed when thinking how proud she is of her crew.
"The biggest thing for me is watching these kids grow in their confidence, in their musicality, and just achieve something so big with so much success," she says.
"It's such an unforgettable experience that they are going to put toward so many other parts of their life, and I think that's the big thing."
Written with files from Adi Loewen and Corny Rempel