Biography

Kandace Crystal

Kandace Crystal (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker and Florida State alum. She was the inaugural Dea Hurston Professional Directing Fellow at New Village Arts and a 2024 Classical Directing Fellow at The Old Globe. Kandace’s directorial credits include Plays by Young Writer’s 2023 (Playwrights Project), The Color Purple (New Village Arts), Grace for President and The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats (San Diego Junior Theatre). She is looking forward to returning to Junior Theatre to work with these amazing kiddos on Disney’s The Lion King, JR. in summer 2025!

Disney’s The Lion King, JR.

*No performances July 4-6

Directed by Kandace Crystal
Music Directed by Desha Crownover

Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice
Additional Music and Lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer
Book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi
Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor

Based on the hit 1994 Disney movie and Broadway musical, Disney’s The Lion King, JR. is the timeless tale of Simba, a young lion born to be king, who is forced to flee after the death of his father, Mufasa. On the outskirts of the kingdom, Simba learns about identity, family, responsibility, and what he has to do in order to make things right for the Pride Lands. Featuring classic songs like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Circle of Life,” and “Hakuna Matata,” the entire family will enjoy the perfect theatrical spectacle that is Lion King, JR.