MUFASA: A strong, masculine male lion in his mid 30’s – mid 40’s. The King of the African Pridelands. Father of Simba. Older brother of Scar. Regal, omnipotent and powerful. Mufasa is a great king with a kind, generous heart. Concerned with teaching his son Simba to be a wise, responsible adult and king, Mufasa can seem a bit stern at times, but it's only because he loves Simba and wants to keep the youngster on the right track. Must have a physical strength and have an excellent, rich baritone voice. (Range: B3 – C5)

SCENES:

Mufasa and Young Simba

SONG:

“They Live In You” – Measures 29-58 (including lines)

Check out YouTube “They Live In You - The South African Cast of THE LION KING”

MUFASA and YOUNG SIMBA – “Circle of Life”

(From the peak of Pride Rock, father and son survey the Lion King’s domain as the sun crests the far horizon, shooting yellow beams across the vast expanse. The GRASSLANDS presumably sway in the breeze.)

MUFASA

Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.

(YOUNG SIMBA eyes follow the horizon and grow wide.)

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 will all be mine?

MUFASA Everything.

YOUNG SIMBA

(In awe.) Everything the light touches?!

[YOUNG SIMBA blinks and scans the bright plain. Far to SIMBA’s left, the land was hazy and still.]

What about that shadowy place? Over there?

MUFASA (A firm rule.)

That's beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.

YOUNG SIMBA [Trying to not act disappointed.] But I thought a King can do whatever he wants.

MUFASA (Smiles.)

Oh, there's more to being King than... getting your way all the time.

YOUNG SIMBA (Awed.)

There's more?

MUFASA (Chuckles.)

Simba...

[They look out at the land in harmony. An ANT HILL slowly makes it way across the stage as GUINEA HENS run in front. Then BUZZARDS circle overhead. SIMBA is amazed and impressed by all that he sees around him.]

YOUNG SIMBA

Dad, what are those birds over there?

MUFASA They’re buzzards.

YOUNG SIMBA They’re scary. Why don’t you chase them away?

MUFASA [Speaking earnestly, he tries to explain the beauty of the “Circle of Life” – the endless chain that links all living things.]

I don’t have to. They’re doing what they are supposed to do. You see, Simba, everything exists, together, in a delicate balance. As King, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures... from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.

[ANTELOPE leap and move along.]

YOUNG SIMBA But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?

MUFASA

Yeees, Simba. But when we die, our bodies become the grass. And the antelope eat the grass. Just as the sun rises from the night, and winter becomes spring, life arises from death. Everything is connected in the great Circle of Life.