09/01/01

The Script
09/01/01

Stage Adaptation

Written by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi

Music by Elton John

Lyrics by Tim Rice

 09/01/01

MUSIC NUMBERS

Act One Act Two

Act Two

1 Circle of Life
2 Scar - Underscore 17 One By One
3 Pridelands 17a Bleak Clusters
4 Grasslands 18 Madness of King Scar
4a Circle - Underscore 19 Shadowland
5 The Morning Report 20 Jungle Sounds
6 Lioness Chant 21 Waterfall
6a Busa - Underscore 21a Under The Stars
7 I Just Can’t Wait To Be King 22 Endless Night
8 Elephant Graveyard 22a Nala Chases Pumbaa
9 Chow Down 23 Nala/Simba Reunion
10 They Live In You 24 Can You Feel The Love
11 Be Prepared Tonight?
12 Stampede - Part 1 25 He Lives In You - Intro
13 Stampede - Part 2 26 He Lives In You
14 Eulogy 27 Finale - Part 1
15 Bowling For Buzzards 28 Finale - Part 2
15a Simba Wakes Up
16 Hakuna Matata
 09/01/01

Note regarding lyrics to songs:

The lyrics in the South African languages appear in a combination of their

true spellings and phonetic spellings. A choice has been made at each place
to present the lyrics in spellings which most clearly represent the accurate
pronunciations. These spellings match those which appear in the vocal score.

Updated by Lebo M and Colin Welford, March 2001

KEY

[BOLD] = Site Specific

 03/12/03 p. 1

Act One

Scene 1: Prologue: Nativity

Before the dawn, an old baboon (RAFIKI) calls out

in song. Voices respond in song, as a large sun
rises.

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

RAFIKI
NAN TS’NGONYA MA BAKITHI BABA

CHORUS
SITHI HU INGONYA MA
INGONYAMA NENGWEBO

ANTELOPE #1
MAI BABO HI NGONYAMA BABA

RAFIKI
NAN TS’NGONYA MA BAKITHI BABA

CHORUS
SITHI HU INGONYA MA
INGONYAMA NENGWEBO

ANTELOPE #2
HAA KHUZANIBO BHEK’I YA GALELA

RAFIKI
NAN TS’NGONYA MA BAKITHI BABO

CHORUS
SITHI HU INGONYA MA
NGONYAMA, NGONYAMA, NGONYAMA, NGONYAMA.
INGONYAMA NENGWENAMABALA, (REPEAT 12 TIMES)

As song begins, animals alert to the sound.

Different "tribes" of animals journey to Pride
Rock from far and wide.

RAFIKI CHORUS
FROM THE DAY WE ARRIVE ON THIS PLANET INGONYAMAS etc.
AND BLINKING, STEP INTO THE SUN CONTINUE
THERE IS MORE TO SEE THAN CAN EVER BE SEEN
MORE TO DO THAN CAN EVER BE DONE

THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH TO TAKE IN HERE

MORE TO FIND THAN CAN EVER BE FOUND
BUT THE SUN ROLLING HIGH

THROUGH THE SAPPHIRE SKY

KEEPS GREAT AND SMALL ON THE ENDLESS ROUND
 03/12/03 p. 2
RAFIKI (CONT'D) CHORUS
IT'S THE CIRCLE OF LIFE INGONYAMA NENGWEWEMA
AND IT MOVES US ALL (REPEAT 14 TIMES)
THROUGH DESPAIR AND HOPE
THROUGH FAITH AND LOVE
TILL WE FIND OUR PLACE
ON THE PATH UNWINDING
IN THE CIRCLE INGONYAMA NENGWENAMABALA
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE INGONYAMA NENGWENAMABALA

Pride Rock rises up, castle-like above the gathering

menagerie.

A hornbill (ZAZU) flies over the audience... and the

animals onstage. He reverently bows to a regal,
commanding lion – MUFASA, and his wife SARABI. Meanwhile,
the Antelopes chant a poem praising the king.

Rafiki hobbles through the crowd, climbs to the

promontory. She embraces Mufasa. Sarabi who has her
newborn cub (SIMBA) nestled in her paws.

Rafiki rattles her gourds over Simba and smears some

nectar, anointing the little guy's forehead.

CHORUS ANTELOPES
INGONYAMA NENGW'ENAMABALA BAYEDE. NDABE ZITHA. NKHOSI YAMA KHOSI
(REPEAT 16 TIMES) Hail your majesty, King of Kings.
SIYA BONGABABA. BAYEDE.
We thank you father, hail.
MKOKELI WE SIZWE. NDABE ZITHA.
Leader of our nation. Your majesty.
WENA WE ZULU. SIYA BONGABABA.
You of the heavens. Thank you, father.
AWU SIYABONGA BABA.
Oh yes, we thank you father.
KWATH’ UMA’ UFIKA KWAKHAL’UMHLABA
When you arrived, the earth cried.
KWATH’ UMA’ UFIKA KWAKHAL’ UMUNTU
When you arrived, the earth cried.
SIYABONGA BABA BAYEDE
We thank you father, Hail!

Rafiki gently lifts Simba and presents the

royal cub to his subjects -- who react with
jubilation.

RAFIKI/ANIMAL CHORUS ENSEMBLE

IT'S THE CIRCLE OF LIFE (INGONYAMAS CONTINUE)
AND IT MOVES US ALL
THROUGH DESPAIR AND HOPE
THROUGH FAITH AND LOVE

A beam of sunlight shines down through the clouds

on the future king.

RAFIKI
TILL WE FIND OUR PLACE
ON THE PATH UNWINDING

IN THE CIRCLE
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
 03/12/03 p. 3
Scene 2: Scar and Mufasa

In Scar’s Cave. Scar stands, mask hiding his

face. A field mouse (shadow puppet) scampers
across stage. Scar stabs at it with his cane. He
holds it up by the tail.

SCAR
Life's not fair, is it? You see, I shall never be king. And you… (he laughs)
You shall never see another day. Adieu.

Scar is about to dine when he is interrupted by

Zazu.

ZAZU
Awk! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?

Scar throws the mouse off stage L.

SCAR
(mock sad)
Now look, Zazu. You've made me lose my lunch.

ZAZU
You'll lose more than that when the king gets through with you. You missed the
ceremony, and Mufasa's as mad as a hippo with a hernia.

SCAR
Ooooo. I quiver with fear.

Scar, licking his chops, advances on Zazu -- who

backs away.

ZAZU
Now, Scar -- Don't look at me that way.

Scar pins Zazu with his cane.

ZAZU
Helk!

MUFASA enters.

MUFASA
(admonishing)
Scar!
SCAR
Hmmm-mmm?

MUFASA
(to a disobedient puppy)
Release him!
 03/12/03 p. 4
ZAZU
Impeccable timing, Your Majesty.

SCAR
Why, if it isn't my big brother, descending from on high to mingle with the
commoners.

MUFASA
Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba.

SCAR
(insincere)
That was today? Oh, I feel simply awful. Must have slipped my mind.

ZAZU
Yes, well as slippery as your mind is -- as the king's brother, you should have
been first in line.

Scar nips at Zazu -- who evades him.

SCAR
I was first in line... until the little hairball was born.

MUFASA
That hairball is my son and your future king.

SCAR
Oh, I shall practice my curtsy.

Scar abruptly turns to walk away. Mufasa calls

after him:

MUFASA
Don't turn your back on me, Scar!

SCAR
Oh, no, Mufasa. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me.

Scar lowers his mask to confront Mufasa. Mufasa

lowers his mask as they face off aggressively.

MUFASA
(losing temper)
Is that a challenge?

SCAR
(pointed)
Temper-temper.
(butter wouldn't melt)
I wouldn't dream of challenging you.

ZAZU
Pity. Why not?
 03/12/03 p. 5
SCAR
Well, as far as brains are concerned, I got the lion's share. But when it comes
to brute strength, I'm afraid I'm in the shallow end of the gene pool.

Scar slinks away and exits. Zazu watches him

leave as Mufasa paces.

ZAZU
There's one in every family, Sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always
manage to ruin special occasions.

MUFASA
What am I going to do with him?

ZAZU
He'd make a very handsome throw rug.

MUFASA
Zazu!

ZAZU
And just think. Whenever he gets dirty, you can take him out and beat him.

Mufasa laughs as they exit.

ZAZU

I think he was dropped on his head as a cub, that’s where all the trouble began.
 03/12/03 p. 6
Scene 3: Rafiki’s Tree

The Pride Lands. Rafiki’s giant tree appears.

Lights up to reveal Rafiki sitting in the tree’s
hollow, invoking the spirits. Rafiki chants.

RAFIKI
Girri girri girri ah…

Rafiki leaps out of the hollow. She tells her

story to the audience.

(Original Click Story.)

RAFIKI
Bane Bare, Ke tla le qoqela moqoqu o qoqoang
Ke maqheku haba qabana ba qetetse ho
Qoqo moqoqo o monate.

Bane Bareea senqa nqune sentse sere qhafu qhafu qhafu\ka qhafu tsong.

Do you understand?

(STANDARD CLICK STORY)

RAFIKI

SANIIBONANI, DOMELANG, MOLWENI

ERE KELE QOQELE

MOQOQO O MONATE
OO’OQOQWQANG KE MAQHEKO
HA BA QABNA, BA DULETSE HO QOQA
MOQOQO O’ MONATE
KE MAQHEKO

BANE BARE, QOQA QOQOLOSI, BA QOQOLLA

QHOQHO THO, QHOQHO THO, QHOQHO THO
BAQABANA, BAQABANA, BAQABANA, BAQABANA
BANTSE BARE
QHAFU, QUAFU, QHAFU, QHAFU

Do you understand?

The hollow transforms into a shadow screen. Using

her thumb and pigments, Rafiki paints a rendering
of the lion cub on the tree's wall. She anoints
the drawing with pigment.

RAFIKI
Simba...Simba!
 03/12/03 p. 7
Scene 4: Day With Dad

Pre-dawn light on the Grasslands. Puppets of Simba

and Mufasa move through the Grasslands.

CHORUS
ZUM ZUM ZUM MAMA YE, MAMA YE, MAMA YE, MAMA YE (REPEAT 3 TIMES)
ZUM ZUM WOZA MFAN OH WOZA, WOZA MFANA, O WOZA (REPEAT 5 TIMES)
ZUM ZUM WOZA MFAN O WOZA
WOZA MFANA, OH WOZA MAMA YE

Mufasa and Simba (now a cocky, young cub) enter

through the grass.

CHORUS
BUSA LE LIZWEBO (REPEAT 3 TIMES)
BUSA LOMHLABA
SIMBA
Where're we going?
BUSA NGO THANDO BO (REPEAT 3 TIMES)
BUSA LOMHLABA
Why'd we get up so early?
BUSA LE LIZWEBO (REPEAT 3 TIMES)
BUSA LOMHLABA

BUSA NGO THANDO BO (REPEAT 3 TIMES)

BUSA LOMHLABA
When do we eat?
BUSA LE LIZWEBO (REPEAT 3 TIMES)
BUSA LOMHLABA
I’m thirsty.

Mufasa climbs Pride Rock. Simba follows him up the

summit.

Are we there yet?

HE UM HEM, HE UM HEM, YA OH HA, HE UM HEM

HE UM HEM, HE UM HEM, YA OH HA, HE UM HEM

Mufasa chuckles at his inquisitive son. He

gestures to his son.

MUFASA
Quiet, Simba. Sit by me.

Mufasa and Simba look out over the Pride lands as

the sun crests the horizon, painting the vast
expanse with light.

MUFASA
Look, Simba: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
 03/12/03 p. 8
SIMBA
(wide-eyed)
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.

SIMBA
And this'll all be mine?

MUFASA
Everything.

SIMBA
(in awe)
Everything the light touches.
(re: horizon)
What about that shadowy place over there?

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

SIMBA
But I thought a king can do whatever he wants.

MUFASA
Well, there's a lot more to being king than getting your way all the time.

SIMBA
(wide-eyed)
There's more?

MUFASA
(cautionary)
Simba...

Animals are out and about. Mufasa points out

animals to Simba: an ant hill, guinea birds. Simba
is amazed and impressed by all that he sees around
him.

Simba notices a bunch of buzzards circling in the

distance.

SIMBA
Dad, what are those birds over there?

MUFASA
They're buzzards.

SIMBA
They're scary. Why don't you chase 'em away?
 03/12/03 p. 9
MUFASA
I don't have to, Simba. They're doing what they're supposed to do.

In the distance, the buzzards swoop down.

SIMBA
Really? It doesn't look good to me.

Antelope leap by.

CHORUS
INGOMYAMA NEMWE’NAMABALA

MUFASA
I know, but you see, Simba, everything exists 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.

SIMBA
But Dad, don't we eat antelope?

MUFASA
Yes, 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, so
life arises from death. Everything is connected in the great circle of life.

Zazu flaps in.

ZAZU
Good morning, Sire!

MUFASA
Good morning, Zazu.

ZAZU
Acck! Young master. Checking in with the morning report.

MUFASA
Fire away!
THE MORNING REPORT

ZAZU
IT’S AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE, A DUTY I PERFORM
WITH DUE SENSE OF DECORUM AND WITH PRIDE
WITH DEFERENCE AND GREAT RESPECT VERY MUCH THE NORM
PLUS A HINT OF SYCHOPHANCY ON THE SIDE

MUFASA
Yes, Zazu.

ZAZU
TO LAY BEFORE MY RULER ALL THE FACTS ABOUT HIS REALM
TO FILL HIM IN ON ALL THE BEASTLY NEWS

MUFASA
Yes, yes, Zazu, get on with it.
 03/12/03 p. 10

ZAZU
IN ORDER THAT HIS MAJESTY STANDS STURDY AT THE HELM
AWARE OF ALL THE FAUNA’S LATEST VIEWS.

MUFASA
Zazu! The morning report.
ZAZU
Er -- yes, Sire – (clears throat) The morning report!

ZAZU
CHIMPS ARE GOING APE, GIRAFFES REMAIN ABOVE IT ALL
ELEPHANTS REMEMBER BUT JUST WHAT I CAN’T RECALL
CROCODILES ARE SNAPPING UP FRESH OFFERS FROM THE BANKS
SHOWED INTEREST IN MY NEST EGG BUT I QUICKLY SAID “NO THANKS!”
WE HAVEN’T PAID THE HORNBILLS AND THE VULTURES HAVE A HUNCH
NOT EVERYONE INVITED WILL BE COMING BACK FROM LUNCH

THIS IS THE MORNING REPORT

GIVES YOU THE LONG AND THE SHORT
EVERY GRUNT, ROAR, AND SNORT
NOT A TALE I DISTORT
ON THE MORNING REPORT

MUFASA
What are you doing, son?

SIMBA
Pouncing.

MUFASA
Let an old pro show you how it’s done.

ZAZU
THE BUFFALO HAVE GOT A BEEF MUFASA
ABOUT THIS SEASON’S GRASS STAY LOW TO THE GROUND
WARTHOGS HAVE BEEN THWARTED
IN ATTEMPTS TO SAVE THEIR GAS SIMBA
FLAMINGOS IN THE PINK ARE YES, STAY LOW!
CHASING SECRETARY BIRDS
SAFFRON IS THIS SEASON’S COLOR MUFASA
SEEN IN ALL THE HERDS SHH, NOT A SOUND. TAKE IT SLOW,
MOVING DOWN THE RANK AND FILE
TO NEAR THE BOTTOM RUNG ONE MORE STEP
FAR TOO MANY BEETLES ARE
QUITE FRANKLY IN THE DUNG THEN POUNCE!
AAAAAAK!!!

Simba pounces and flattens his target.

SIMBA
THIS IS THE MORNING REPORT
GIVES YOU THE LONG AND THE SHORT
EVERY GRUNT, ROAR, AND SNORT
NOT A TALE I DISTORT
ON THE MORNING REPORT
 03/12/03 p. 11

MUFASA/ZAZU
THIS IS THE MORNING REPORT
GIVES YOU THE LONG AND THE SHORT
EVERY GRUNT, ROAR, AND SNORT
NOT A TALE I DISTORT
ON THE MORNING REPORT

MUFASA
Ha-ha-ha. That's very good, son!

(MOLE NOISE) A MOLE pops up beside Zazu and salutes.

ZAZU

Aaaaah!

MOLE
Zazu!

ZAZU
(recovering)
Yes?

MOLE
Sir! News from the underground!

MUFASA MOLE
(to Simba) (Vocal Gibberish)
(ad lib) Now next time…

ZAZU
(to Mufasa)
Sire -- Hyenas! In the Pride Lands!

MUFASA
(exiting)
Zazu, take Simba home.

SIMBA
Aw, Dad, can't I come?

MUFASA
No, son.

Mufasa exits.

SIMBA
(crestfallen)
I never get to go anywhere.

ZAZU
Oh, Young Master, one day you will be king. Then you can chase those slobbering,
mangy, stupid poachers from dawn until dusk.

They exit.
 03/12/03 p. 12

Scene 5: Scar Tricks Simba

Scar lounges in the shade of his cave. Simba,

pumped up by Zazu's speech, enters and runs over
to Scar.

SIMBA
Hey, Uncle Scar! Guess what?

SCAR
I despise guessing games.

SIMBA
(undaunted)
I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock!

SCAR
(underwhelmed)
Oh, goodie.

SIMBA
My Dad just showed me the whole kingdom! And I'm gonna rule it all!

SCAR
Yes. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.

SIMBA
Hey, Uncle Scar, when I'm king, what'll that make you?

SCAR
A monkey's uncle.

SIMBA
(laughing)
You're so weird.

SCAR
You have no idea.
(a beat)
So your father showed you the whole kingdom, did he?

SIMBA
Everything!

SCAR
He didn't show you what's beyond that rise at the northern border?

SIMBA
Well, no.

SCAR
Ah!
 03/12/03 p. 13

SIMBA
(miffed)
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.

SIMBA
(defensive)
Well, I'm brave. What's out there?

SCAR
I'm sorry, Simba, I just can't tell you.

SIMBA
Why not?

SCAR
Simba, Simba, Simba. I'm only looking out for the well-being of my favorite
nephew.

SIMBA
Yeah, right. I'm your only nephew.

SCAR
All the more reason for me to be protective. An elephant graveyard is no place
for a young prince.

SIMBA
An elephant what?

SCAR
Oops.

SIMBA
(awed)
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 do me one favor? Promise me you'll
never visit that dreadful place.

SIMBA
No problem.

SCAR
There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun. And remember: It's our
little secret.

Simba scampers off. Scar laughs

 03/12/03 p. 14
Scene 6: Simba Invites Nala

A chorus of Lionesses -- dancers and singers --

enter chanting on their way to hunt.

LIONESS HUNT

LIONESSES
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA HI BABA
S’QHUBEKE NISIYO ZINGELA
TSAH TSAH TSAH
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE TSAH-TSAH
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE, ZINGELA BABA
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE TSAH-TSAH
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE, ZINGELA BABA
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE TSAH-TSAH
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE, ZINGELA BABA
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE TSAH-TSAH
TSAH-TSAH MAMA WELE, ZINGELA BABA
U YE-YEHHH NIBO AH HAYI HA
U YE-YEHHH OH U YE-YE NIBO AH HAYI HA
U YE-YEHHH NIBO ZINGELA BABA
U YE-YEHHH OH U YE-YE NIBO

ANTELOPE
HO-LO-LO MA’, EE HO-LO-LO MA’, AH YE, AH YE, AH YE, HO-LO-LO MA’
HE-LEL-LE HE-LE-LEH-EH-EH-EH HO-LO-LO MA’ AH-HA, AH-HAYI, AH-HAYI, AH-HAYI,
AH-HA,
AH-HAYI, AH-HAYI, HO-LO-LO-MA’, AH-HEM, AH-HEM, AH-HEM, AH-HEMMM.

LIONESSES
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA
AH HA HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI (YA) HAYI WE BABA
ZINGELLA SIYO ZINGELA BABA WE BABA (CONTINUES TO REPEAT)

Simba enters. He weaves in and out of the

lionesses, in search of his friend, NALA, a cute
little cub.

SIMBA
Hey, Nala!

NALA
Hi, Simba.

SIMBA
Come on! I just heard about this great place!
 03/12/03 p. 15
NALA
Simba -- I'm going hunting with my mother.

SIMBA
This is a place your mother would never go.

NALA
So where is it? Better not be any place lame.

SIMBA
No. It's really cool.

SARABI/LIONESSES
So, where is this "really cool" place?

SARABI
Simba?

SIMBA
Oh... Hi, mom.
(lying)
It's... around the waterhole.

NALA
The waterhole? What's so great about the waterhole...?

SIMBA
(thru teeth)
I'll show you when we get there.

NALA
(getting it)
Ohhhh.
(to Sarafina)
Uh, Mom, can I go with Simba?

SARAFINA
Sarabi?

Sarafina looks to Sarabi.

SIMBA/NALA
Pleeeez?

SARABI
It's alright with me...

SIMBA/NALA
Yay!!!
Simba and Nala make a break for it.

SARABI
As long as Zazu goes with you.

Simba and Nala freeze in their tracks, miffed.

SIMBA
No! Not Zazu.

Lionesses exit. Zazu flaps in.

 03/12/03 p. 16
Scene 7: "Can't Wait To Be King"

Zazu flaps ahead of the two cubs.

ZAZU
Step lively! The sooner we get to the waterhole, the sooner we can leave!

Simba and Nala whisper conspiratorially.

NALA
So where're we really goin'?

SIMBA
An elephant graveyard.

NALA
(loudly)
Wow!

SIMBA
Shhhh...
(indicating)
Zazu...

NALA
Right. So how're we gonna ditch the dodo?

They huddle. Zazu sees them tete-a-tete and flies

to them.

ZAZU
Acck! Oh, just look at you two! Little seeds of romance blossoming in the
savannah! Your parents will be thrilled -- what with your being betrothed and
all.

SIMBA
Be-what?

ZAZU
One day you two are going to be married!

SIMBA NALA
Yuck! Eeuwww!

SIMBA
I can't marry her. She's my friend.

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.

SIMBA
Well, when I'm king, that'll be the first thing to go.

ZAZU
Not so long as I'm around.
 03/12/03 p. 17

SIMBA
In that case, you're fired.

ZAZU
Nice try. But only the king can do that.

NALA
Well, he is the future king.

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!

SIMBA
Not the way I see it!

Music begins and Simba and Nala jump back as a

brightly colored curtain drops, leaving Zazu alone
on stage.

CHORUS
HM…

ZAZU
This wasn’t in the film!

Simba and Nala enter on ostriches.

I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING

ANIMAL CHORUS
SIMBA HEM HEM HEM
I'M GONNA BE A MIGHTY KING SO ENEMIES BEWARE! HEM

ZAZU
I'VE NEVER SEEN A KING OF BEASTS HEM
WITH QUITE SO LITTLE HAIR HEM

SIMBA
I'M GONNA BE THE MANE EVENT HEM
LIKE NO KING WAS BEFORE
I'M BRUSHING UP ON LOOKING DOWN HEM
I'M WORKING ON MY ROAR HEM

ZAZU
THUS FAR A RATHER UNINSPIRING THING
HA HA HA HA HA
SIMBA
OH I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!
HEM HEM

ZAZU
You've rather a long way to go, young master, if you think --
 03/12/03 p. 18

SIMBA ZAZU ANIMAL CHORUS

NO ONE SAYING DO THIS When I said that I --
U-HU WAH
NALA ZAZU
NO ONE SAYING BE THERE What I meant was that the --
U-HU WAH
SIMBA ZAZU
NO ONE SAYING STOP THAT What you don't realize is that
that sometimes --
U-HU WAH
SIMBA/NALA ZAZU
NO ONE SAYING SEE HERE Now see here!
FREE TO RUN AROUND ALL DAY That’s definitely out --

SIMBA
FREE TO DO IT ALL MY WAY
HEM HEM HEM
The Tricksters enter and dance.

ZAZU
I THINK ITS TIME THAT YOU AND I
ARRANGED A HEART TO HEART

NALA
KINGS DON'T NEED ADVICE FROM LITTLE
HORNBILLS FOR A START

ZAZU
IF THIS IS WHERE THE MONARCHY IS HEADED
COUNT ME OUT
OUT OF SERVICE, OUT OF AFRICA,
I WOULDN'T HANG ABOUT
THIS CHILD IS GETTING WILDLY OUT OF WING
HA HA HA HA HA
SIMBA
OH I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!
HEM AY AY EE OH
Giant giraffes enter. HEM AY AY EE OH
HEM AY AY EE OH
HEM AY AY
WAH

SIMBA ZAZU (screaming)

EVERYBODY LOOK LEFT Aaaaaaa...eek

NALA ZAZU
EVERYBODY LOOK RIGHT Ooooo...Ow

SIMBA
EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK I’M...

SIMBA/NALA ZAZU
STANDING IN THE SPOTLIGHT NOT YET
 03/12/03 p. 19

SIMBA/NALA/ANIMAL CHORUS
LET EVERY CREATURE GO FOR BROKE AND SING
LET'S HEAR IT IN THE HERD AND ON THE WING
IT'S GONNA BE KING SIMBA'S FINEST FLING

SIMBA
OH I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO BE KING!

NALA
OH HE JUST CAN’T WAIT TO BE KING!

SIMBA
OH I JUST CAN'T WAIT...

NALA
...JUST CAN’T WAIT...

SIMBA/NALA/ANIMAL CHORUS
TO BE KING!

Simba and Nala make their break as the curtain

falls on Zazu.

ZAZU
It looks like a shower curtain from [The Guggenheim.]
(stumbling off)

ZAZU

Where’s my bird? Where’s my bird?

Zazu!

(Squawk)

Zazu!

(Baulks head and exits dizzily singing)

 03/12/03 p. 20
Scene 8: The Elephant Graveyard

Simba and Nala enter laughing. This is a very

creepy place, but they don't notice.

SIMBA
All right! It worked!

NALA
We lost him!

SIMBA
I am a genius!

NALA
Hey, genius -- it was my idea!

SIMBA
Yeah, but I pulled it off!

NALA
With me.

SIMBA
Oh yeah?!

NALA
Yeah!

Simba playfully leaps for Nala and they tussle.

She flips him. He lands with a THUD! on his back
and tries to get up, but Nala holds him there.

NALA
Pinned ya!

SIMBA
Hey, let me up!

She does. He tries to flip her. She flips him

again!

NALA
Pinned ya again!

Woosh! The cubs are startled by sudden bursts of

steam from geothermic craters.

SIMBA
This is it! We made it!

The steam clears, revealing: An elephant skull --

huge, terrifying.
 03/12/03 p. 21

SIMBA/NALA
Whoooa!

NALA
(impressed)
It's really creepy.

SIMBA
Yeah. Isn't it great?!

NALA
(conspiratorial)
We could get in big trouble.

Zazu swoops in.

ZAZU
I know! That's where I come in.

SIMBA
Oh, man...

ZAZU
This is waaaay beyond the boundary of the Pride Lands.

SIMBA
Look. Banana-Beak is scared!

ZAZU
It's Mister Banana-Beak to you, Fuzzy.
(sternly)
And right now we are all in very real danger.

SIMBA
(bravado)
Danger? Ha! I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger.
(swagger)
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

From inside the skull (and much louder), hideous

HYENA LAUGHING follows rapid-fire:

HYENA VOICES
HEE-HEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!!!

Simba, Nala and Zazu react to the sound... then

the entrance of THREE HYENAS slinking oozily out
of the graveyard: BANZAI, a male hyena; SHENZI, a
female hyena; and a third hyena, ED -- who doesn't
speak but just laughs. (He's the Harpo of hyenas)
They are three punks who get tripped up in their
own laughs. They slink around the cubs.
 03/12/03 p. 22

SHENZI
Well, well, well, Banzai. What have we got here?

BANZAI
Hmmm... I don't know, Shenzi. What do you think, Ed?

Ed LAUGHS his signature laugh.

ED
Hee-hee-hee!

BANZAI
Just what I was thinkin'. A trio of trespassers.

ZAZU
And quite by accident, let me assure you. A simple navigational error.

Zazu starts to fly, to lead the cubs to safety,

but Shenzi slaps at Zazu's tail feathers, pinning
him to the ground.

SHENZI
Whoa! Wait (sniffs) I know you. You're Mufasa's little stooge.

ZAZU
(proudly)
I, madam, am the king's majordomo.

SHENZI
Looks more like the king's Major Dumbo.

The hyenas cackle with laughter.

BANZAI
(re Simba)
And that would make you...

SIMBA
(puffed up)
The future king.

SHENZI
Do you know what we do to kings who step out of their kingdom?

SIMBA
Huh. You can't do anything to me.

ZAZU
Er... technically, they can. We are on their land.

SIMBA
But Zazu, you told me they're nothing but slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers!
 03/12/03 p. 23

ZAZU
(whispering)
Ix-nay on the oopid-stay.

SHENZI
Hey! Who you callin' "oopid-stay"?

CHOW DOWN

BANZAI
HE CALLED US SLOBBERING!

SHENZI
SAID WE WERE MANGY!

BANZAI
DID I HEAR STUPID?

ED
HUH?

BANZAI/SHENZI
TELL US AGAIN – GEE

BANZAI
IT’S SO INCREDIBLE

SHENZI
THAT YOU’RE SO RUDE

BANZAI
WHEN YOU’RE SO EDIBLE

BANZAI/SHENZI
WHEN YOU ARE FOOD!

ZAZU
Oh, my-my-my. Look at the sun. Time to go.

The hyenas block Zazu, Nala and Simba, then

circle, licking their chops.

BANZAI
Not so fast, food.

SHENZI
How about some take out?

BANZAI
Yeah, how about the birdy broiler?

ZAZU
Oh no! Not the birdy broiler!

A geyser erupts and Zazu disappears.

 03/12/03 p. 24

SIMBA/NALA
Zazu!

SHENZI
(suddenly folksy)
What's the hurry? Stick around for dinner.

BANZAI
Yeah. We could have whatever's "lion" around.
(amused)
Get it? Lion around!
(laughing)
Heh-heh-heh.

SHENZI
Wait, wait, I got one: Make mine a cub sandwich!

BANZAI
Time to chow down.

BANZAI/SHENZI
Chow down!

BANZAI/SHENZI
CH-CH-CH-CH-CH-CHOW DOWN

SHENZI
I’M CHOMPIN’ AT THE BIT, BABY

BANZAI
MY STOMACH’S ON A GROWL, SON

BANZAI/SHENZI ED
CHOW DOWN!
HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH
CHOW DOWN!
HOO HAH HAH HOO HAH HAH
HOO HAH HAA HAH HAH HOO
YOU BOTH BEEN INVITED ON A DATE
TWO COURSES HANDED TO US ON A PLATE
WE’LL HAVE YOU RAW WON’T BE LONG TO WAIT

BANZAI/SHENZI/ED
SEEING YOU’RE ALREADY TOASTY BROWN
CHOW DOWN!
CH-CH-CH-CH-CH-CHOW DOWN

BANZAI
YOUR RIBS ARE LOOKING SO TASTY

SHENZI
SUCH CHEWY LITTLE CHOPS, CHUMS

BANZAI/SHENZI
EAT UP!
 03/12/03 p. 25

ED
WA WA WA WA WA WA WA
WA WA WA WAHH
SHENZI
NOW WASN’T IT HER MOM WHO ATE YOUR DAD?

BANZAI/SHENZI
AND HAVING PARENTS EATEN MAKES US MAD

BANZAI/SHENZI
WE’RE GONNA SETTLE UP THE SCORE A TAD

BANZAI/SHENZI
WE’VE NEVER HAD A SNACK OF SUCH REKNOWN
CHOW DOWN!
CH-CH-CH-CH-CH-CHOW DOWN!

Simba and Nala sneak away.

ED
Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-

SHENZI
What, Ed??? What is it?

ED
Whu-ee-oh-uh-ah
Banzai sees the fleeing kids.

BANZAI
Hey, did we order this dinner to go?

SHENZI
No.

BANZAI
Well, there it goes!

Chase music, as the hyenas chase the cubs. They

corner their dinner and advance.

BANZAI/SHENZI
I THINK WE SHOULD BEGIN THE MEAL FROM SCRATCH
SO MANY JUICY SEGMENTS TO DETACH
BE GOOD AS GOLD FOR YOU’RE AS GOOD AS CARVED

SHENZI
Here, kitty kitty kitty...

BANZAI/SHENZI
WE’RE STARVED!

NALA
(SCREAM) SIMBA!

BANZAI
Yum yum yum. . .
 03/12/03 p. 26

Trying to protect Nala, Simba musters all his

courage and tries to roar. All that comes out is
a pathetic squeak.

SIMBA
Rr-rr...?

SHENZI
(mocking)
That was it?
(laughing)
Ah-ha-ha-ha. Come on do it again!

The hyenas laugh menacingly. Simba tries

desperately to roar again, but all that comes out
is:

SIMBA
Rrr...

His meek little "rrr" suddenly explodes as:

MUFASA
(entering)
ROAR! ROAR!

Mufasa leaps on stage and pummels the hyenas...

pinning them into submissive postures.

SHENZI
Ow! Hey! Ouch!

BANZAI
Stop! Please! Uncle! Hey, we're really sorry.

MUFASA
Silence!
(a beat)
If you ever go near my son again...

SHENZI
Son? Son?
That was your son? Oh, man, we didn't know that.
(to Banzai)
Did you know that?

BANZAI
Me? No! Did you?

SHENZI
No! Of course not!
They both turn to Ed:

BANZAI/SHENZI
Ed?

ED
 03/12/03 p. 27
(Laugh)

Ed nods "yes" as we hear the rattle of his brains.

MUFASA
ROAR!

BANZAI
Toodles!

The Hyenas exit, yip-yip-yip-yipping. Simba and

Nala come out of hiding.

SIMBA
Dad, I --

MUFASA
You deliberately disobeyed me!

SIMBA
Dad, I'm... I'm sorry.

MUFASA
(fuming)
Let's go home.

Mufasa leads the way, Zazu flapping behind him.

Simba follows, hangdog. Nala whispers
consolingly:

NALA
I thought you were very brave.

Above them on a rocky ledge Scar has been taking

this in. The Elephant Graveyard recedes.
 03/12/03 p. 28

Scene 9: Under The Stars

Night has fallen in the Pride Lands. Stars.

Mufasa walks ahead. Simba, Zazu and Nala trail.

Simba looks dejected.

MUFASA
(sternly)
Zazu!

ZAZU
Yes, Sire?

MUFASA
Take Nala home. I've got to teach my son a lesson.

Simba cowers. Zazu flaps over to Nala and Simba.

ZAZU
Come, Nala.
(to Simba)
Simba...

Good luck.

Zazu and Nala exit.

MUFASA
(calling)
Simba!

Simba approaches his father.

MUFASA
Simba, I'm very disappointed in you.

SIMBA
I know.

MUFASA
(sternly)
You could have been killed! I told you not to go there. And what's worse -- you
also put Nala in danger!

SIMBA
(thru tears)
I was just trying to be brave, like you.

MUFASA
I'm only brave when I have to be. Simba...
(softening)
being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble.
 03/12/03 p. 29

SIMBA
But you're not scared of anything.

MUFASA
I was today.

SIMBA
You were?

MUFASA
Yes. I thought I might lose you.

SIMBA
Oh. I guess even kings get scared, huh?

MUFASA
Mmm-hmm.

SIMBA
(confiding)
But you know what?

MUFASA
What?

SIMBA
I bet those hyenas were even scareder.

MUFASA
That's 'cause nobody messes with your dad. C'mere, you.

They tussle playfully.

MUFASA/SIMBA
Ha-ha-ha... grfff... ha-ha...

SIMBA
Dad?

MUFASA
What?

SIMBA
We're pals, right?

MUFASA
Right.

SIMBA
And we'll always be together. Right?
 03/12/03 p. 30

THEY LIVE IN YOU

CHORUS
INGONYAMA NE’GWE NAMABALA
INGONYAMA NE’GWE NAMABALA

MUFASA
NIGHT
AND THE SPIRIT OF LIFE CALLING CHORUS
OH OH IYO
MUFASA
MAMELA CHORUS
OH OH IYO
MUFASA
AND A VOICE
WITH THE FEAR OF A CHILD ASKING CHORUS
OH OH IYO
MUFASA
OH MAMELA CHORUS
OH OH IYO

MUFASA
Simba, let me tell you something my father told me: Look at the stars.
(a beat)
The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.

MUFASA CHORUS
WAIT WAIT… WAIT… WAIT… WAIT
THERE’S NO MOUNTAIN TOO GREAT
HEAR THESE WORDS AND HAVE FAITH
HAVE FAITH
CHORUS
HEY LA HM MAMELA
HEY LA HM MAMELA
HEY LA HM MAMELA
HEY LA HM MAMELA
THEY LIVE IN YOU
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
THEY LIVE IN ME
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
THEY’RE WATCHING OVER
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
EVERYTHING WE SEE
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN EVERY CREATURE
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN EVERY STAR
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN YOUR REFLECTION
THEY LIVE IN YOU

MUFASA
So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there
to guide you.
(a beat)
And so will I.
 03/12/03 p. 31
MUFASA CHORUS
THEY LIVE IN YOU
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
THEY LIVE IN ME
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
THEY’RE WATCHING OVER
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
EVERYTHING WE SEE
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN EVERY CREATURE
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN EVERY STAR
HELA HM MAMELA HELA
IN YOUR REFLECTION
THEY LIVE IN YOU

CHORUS
INGONYAMA NE’ GWE NAMABALA
(REPEAT 8 TIMES)
 03/12/03 p. 32
Scene 10: Be Prepared

In the Elephant Graveyard, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed

are miffed. They lick their wounds.

BANZAI
Oh, man. That lousy Mufasa. I won't be able to sit for a week.

Ed smacks Banzai and laughs wildly.

ED
Hee-hee-hee!

BANZAI
Shut up, Ed.

SHENZI
Hey, if it weren't for those lions, we'd be running the joint.

BANZAI
Yeah. Man, I hate lions.

SHENZI
They're so pushy.

BANZAI
And hairy.

SHENZI
And stinky.

BANZAI
And, man, are they...

SHENZI/BANZAI
Uggg-lee!

All laugh. Scar appears from an upper ridge.

SCAR
Oh, surely we lions are not all that bad.

The hyenas gasp... until they recognize Scar and

heave sighs of relief.

BANZAI
(underwhelmed)
Oh, Scar. It's just you.

SHENZI
Yeah, we was afraid it was somebody important.

BANZAI
Yeah, you know -- Like Mufasa.
 03/12/03 p. 33

SHENZI
Yeah.

SCAR
(coldly)
I see.

BANZAI
Now that's power.

SHENZI
Tell me about it. I just hear that name and I shudder.

BANZAI
(playing along)
"Mufasa."

SHENZI
(shuddering)
Brrrrr!
(then, rapidly)
Do it again!

BANZAI
"Mufasa!"

SHENZI
(shuddering)
Brrrrrr!

ED
Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee...

BANZAI
"Mufasa-Mufasa-Mufasa!"

Shenzi goes wild, gleefully shuddering and

shivering:

SHENZI
Burrrrr-burrrr-burrrr. It just tingles me!

Ed laughs louder.

SCAR
I am surrounded by idiots.

BANZAI
Now you, Scar -- You're one of us. You're our pal.

SCAR
Charmed.

SHENZI
Ooh, I like that. He's not king, but he's still so proper.
 03/12/03 p. 34

BANZAI
Hey, did'ja bring us anything to eat, Scar old buddy, old pal? Huh? Did'ja-
did'ja-did'ja?

Scar considers what to do with the scrap of

carrion he's carryin'.

SCAR
I don't think you really deserve this. I practically gift-wrapped those cubs for
you, and you couldn't even dispose of them.

Scar tosses them the hunk of carrion. They dive

into it, voraciously and eat. The hyenas speak
with their mouths full.

SHENZI
Well, ya know, it wasn't like they was exactly alone, Scar.

BANZAI
Yeah, what was we supposed to do, kill Mufasa?

SCAR
Precisely.

Scar jumps down to the hyenas. During the

following, Scar weaves among the trio both
encouraging them and disciplining, occasionally
backing them up into hot geyser steam vents...
which singe their tails.

BE PREPARED

SCAR HYENAS
I NEVER THOUGHT HYENAS ESSENTIAL EEEE EEEE
THEY’RE CRUDE AND UNSPEAKABLY PLAIN EEEE EEEE
BUT MAYBE THEY’VE A GLIMMER OF POTENTIAL EEEE EEEE
IF ALLIED TO MY VISION AND BRAIN EEEE EEEE

I KNOW THAT YOUR POWERS OF RETENTION

ARE AS WET AS A WARTHOG'S BACKSIDE
BUT THICK AS YOU ARE, PAY ATTENTION
MY WORDS ARE A MATTER OF PRIDE

IT'S CLEAR FROM YOUR VACANT EXPRESSIONS U HAH HAH HAH

THE LIGHTS ARE NOT ALL ON UPSTAIRS U HAH HAH HAH
BUT WE'RE TALKING KINGS AND SUCCESSIONS HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH
HAH
EVEN YOU CAN'T BE CAUGHT UNAWARES HAH
EE EE EE EE EE EE
EE
SO PREPARE FOR THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME AH
BE PREPARED FOR SENSATIONAL NEWS AH
A SHINING NEW ERA HEM
IS TIPTOEING NEARER HEM

SHENZI
AND WHERE DO WE FEATURE? AH
 03/12/03 p. 35

SCAR HYENAS
JUST LISTEN TO TEACHER AH
I KNOW IT SOUNDS SORDID AH
BUT YOU'LL BE REWARDED AH
WHEN AT LAST I AM GIVEN MY DUES! AH HAH HAH
AND INJUSTICE DELICIOUSLY SQUARED HAH HAH HAH HAH
HAH
BE PREPARED! BE PREPARED

BANZAI
Yeah! Be prepared. We'll be prepared!
(confused)
For what?

SCAR
For the death of the King.

BANZAI
Is he sick?

SCAR
No, fool! We are going to kill him. And Simba, too.

SHENZI
Great idea! Who needs a king?

ALL HYENAS
(chanting)
No king, no king! La la la la la la!

Scar is on a ledge above them.

SCAR
Idiots! There will be a King!

BANZAI
But you said...

SCAR
(the dictator)
I will be King! Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again!

SHENZI
All right!
BANZAI/SHENZI

Long live the King!!

Dozens of hyenas enter, laughing maniacally.

ALL HYENAS
Long live the king!
Scar, the dictator, reviews his troops.

HYENAS
IT'S GREAT THAT WE'LL SOON BE CONNECTED
WITH A KING WHO'LL BE ALL TIME ADORED
 03/12/03 p. 36

SCAR HYENAS
OF COURSE, QUID PRO QUO, YOU'RE EXPECTED
TO TAKE CERTAIN DUTIES ON BOARD
(draws a murderous claw across his throat)
THE FUTURE IS LITTERED WITH PRIZES U
AND THOUGH I'M THE MAIN ADDRESSEE U
THE POINT THAT I MUST EMPHASIZE IS U
YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME! WAH

Lights change to "Carnival in Hell." The earth

shakes. Steam vents shoot up.

Hyenas dance demonically, using bones as musical

instruments.

SCAR/HYENAS
SO PREPARE FOR THE COUP OF THE CENTURY

SCAR HYENAS
BE PREPARED FOR THE MURKIEST SCAM OOOOOO, LA-LA-LA!
METICULOUS PLANNING WE'LL HAVE FOOD!
TENACITY, SPANNING LOTS OF FOOD
DECADES OF DENIAL WE REPEAT
IS SIMPLY WHY I'LL ENDLESS MEAT
BE KING UNDISPUTED
RESPECTED, SALUTED
AND SEEN FOR THE WONDER I AM

SCAR HYENAS
YES MY TEETH AND AMBITIONS ARE BARED HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH
BE PREPARED! BE PREPARED

SCAR/HYENAS
YES OUR TEETH AND AMBITIONS ARE BARED
BE PREPARED!

A cacophony of hyena laughter.

 03/12/03 p. 37
Scene 10-A: Zazu Apologizes

Mufasa and Zazu enter.

ZAZU
(tentatively)
Uh, Sire. . .About last night. . .

MUFASA
Yes, Zazu?

ZAZU
You know. . . that unfortunate incident with those hooligans. . .

MUFASA
(ominous undertone)
Mmmm. . .

ZAZU
I am soooooo sorry. But you know me, Sire, I really am better suited to affairs
of state than to tending tots.
(a beat)
But when Sarabi asked me to baby-sit, well, I obeyed. After all, she’s the boss.
Well, of course, you’re the Big Boss.
(loosing it)
Ohhhhhhhhhh, Sarabi’s not upset with me. Is she, Sire?

MUFASA
Zazu, she’s livid.

Zazu gasps.

MUFASA
I tried to calm her, but she insists that I fire you.

ZAZU
(sobbing)
Oh, Sire. . .

Zazu has a nervous breakdown.

MUFASA
Zazu. Zazu. Zazu! It’s a joke.

ZAZU
Sire, your sense of humor never fails to abuse me.

MUFASA
Sorry, Zazu. Sometimes I can’t resist ruffling your feathers.

ZAZU
Last night—you weren’t too hard on Simba…Were you?
 03/12/03 p. 38

MUFASA
How could I be hard on Simba?
(thoughtful)
I want to encourage his curiosity. . .
(frustrated)
But that son of mine, he seems to rush headlong into danger without thinking.

ZAZU
Oh, Sire, I remember a cub, a certain headstrong cub. . .
(with a nod to Mufasa)
. . .who was always getting into scrapes. And he achieved some prominence did he
not, Sire?

MUFASA
Zazu, You’ve known me too long.

And they exit.

 03/12/03 p. 39
Scene 11: The Stampede

Giraffes and a cheetah pass. Scar and Simba (as

shadow puppets) set out from Scar’s Cave.

Simba and Scar enter. It is daytime in the Gorge.

SIMBA
Where're we going, Uncle Scar?

SCAR
Your father has a marvelous surprise for you.

SIMBA
What is it?

SCAR
If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it?

SIMBA
(sweetly shrewd)
If you tell me -- I'll still act surprised.

SCAR
(tsk-tsk-tsking)
You are such a naughty boy.

SIMBA
(man-to-man)
Come on, Uncle Scar...

SCAR
No-no-no. This is just for you and your dad. You know, a sort of father-son...
thing. Ah, here we are.

Scar gestures for Simba to sit.

SCAR (CONT'D)
Now, you sit here. I'll go get him.

SIMBA
I'll go with you!

SCAR
NO!
(sweetly)
No, no.
(then)
Just stay on this ledge. You wouldn't want to end up in another mess like you
did with those hyenas.

SIMBA
You know about that?
 03/12/03 p. 40

SCAR
Simba -- everyone knows about that.

SIMBA
(mortified)
Really?

SCAR
Mmm-hmm. Lucky "daddy" was there to save you.
(real buddy)
Oh, and just between us: You might want to work on that little roar of yours.

SIMBA
Oh. Okay.

Scar starts to exit.

SIMBA (CONT'D)
Hey, Uncle Scar -- will I like the surprise?

Scar turns back to Simba.

SCAR
Simba, it's to die for.

Scar exits. Simba considers what his uncle just

told him.

SIMBA
"Little roar." Huh.
(practicing)
Rrrr... RRrr... RRRr...

High above the Gorge, on a cliff, Shenzi, Banzai

and Ed survey the situation. Banzai’s stomach
rumbles loudly.

BANZAI
Look at all those wildebeest! I’m so hungry. I gotta have one!

SHENZI
No! Not yet.

BANZAI
Can't I just pick off one of the little sick ones?

SHENZI
Shut up! You know the plan. We wait for the signal from Scar.
(noticing O.S. Scar)
There he is! Let's go.

They slink away.

 03/12/03 p. 41

Down in the Gorge, Simba continues to practice.

SIMBA
RRROARR !
(louder)
RRROARRRRRRRR!

Simba’s roar echoes off the canyon walls. He hears

a rumbling -- the thundering of hundreds of
wildebeest hooves.

Wildebeest cascade down into the Gorge, running

directly toward Simba. He runs for his life.

Above the Gorge, Zazu and Mufasa hear the sound of

the stampede.

ZAZU
Oh, look, Sire! The herd is on the move.

MUFASA
Odd...

Scar emerges.

SCAR
Mufasa! Quick! Stampede! In the Gorge! Simba's down there!

MUFASA
Simba? Simba!

Down in the Gorge, Simba is barely ahead of the

wildebeest. He leaps to a branch of a dead tree
and clings precariously while the wildebeest
thunder under.

Zazu flies in.

SIMBA
Zazu! Help me!

ZAZU
Your father is on the way! Hold on!

SIMBA
Hurry!

ZAZU
I’ll go back for help!

Mufasa leaps into the Gorge and battles his way

upstream through the oncoming wildebeest.
 03/12/03 p. 42

MUFASA
Simba, let go!
Simba falls from the branch. Mufasa leaps in and
catches his son.

Battered by the stream of wildebeest, Mufasa

manages to place Simba on a ledge above the
trouble.

But a wildebeest knocks Mufasa back into the flow.

Mufasa disappears under the army of galloping
wildebeest.

Out of Simba’s view, Mufasa -- mortally wounded --

makes a valiant leap up a steep incline and climbs
to just beneath a rocky overhang. He digs his
claws in and dangles.

Scar looks down at his brother, who clings for his

life.

MUFASA
Scar! Brother -- help me!

Scar digs his claws into Mufasa's forearms.

SCAR
(whispers)
Long live the King.

Scar releases his grip. Mufasa falls,

disappearing beneath the river of wildebeest.

MUFASA
Scaaaaaar!

The canyon is now empty of wildebeest. Simba runs

into the canyon, and searches for his father in
the thick dust.

SIMBA
Dad!

Dust clears, revealing the form of his lifeless

father.

SIMBA
(recognizing)
Dad.

Simba rushes to Mufasa. He nuzzles his dad.

 03/12/03 p. 43

SIMBA (CONT’D)
(realizing)
Dad...?

No response.

SIMBA (CONT’D)

(playful)
Dad...? Come on. Dad.

He tries to raise Mufasa's powerful arm. It flops

to the ground.

SIMBA (CONT’D)

(panic)
Come on, dad. You gotta get up. Please.

He pulls at Mufasa's ear. There is no response.

He calls out:

SIMBA
Help! Somebody! Anybody? Please! Help Me!

He starts to sob, moves very close to Mufasa,

nuzzles him and lies down beside the great lion.

Enter Scar through the settling dust.

SCAR
Simba. What have you done?

SIMBA
There were wildebeest... And he tried to save me... It was an accident. I didn't
mean for it to...

SCAR
Of course, of course you didn't. No one ever means for these things to happen.
But the king is dead. If it weren't for you, he'd still be alive. Oh, what will
your mother think?

SIMBA
(guilty)
What am I gonna do?

SCAR
Run away, Simba. Run! Run away and never return.

Simba gives his father a final hug, then exits

running through the audience.

Shenzi, Banzai and Ed emerge from the dust.

SCAR
Kill him.
 03/12/03 p. 44

Scar exits. The hyenas rush to the edge of the

stage and look out at the audience.

SHENZI
(re the escaping cub)
Hey! There he goes!

BANZAI
So go get him.

SHENZI
I ain’t going out there. You go out there!

BANZAI
I ain’t going out there! Ed?

ED
Hah!

BANZAI
Yeah! He's as good as dead out there.

SHENZI
And if he comes back, we'll kill him.

BANZAI
Yeah.
(yelling to Simba in the distance)
You hear that? If you ever come back -- she'll kill you!

ED
(Speaks)ad lib

SHENZI
What Scar don't know won't hurt him.

Hyenas Exit.
 03/12/03 p. 45
Scene 12: Eulogy

Rafiki appears as the Gorge transforms into a

funeral bier.

RAFIKI
MAHDYOHA Spilled blood
(madi a ooooo ha)

LEGKA SEHBEHTAY TCHÍAH HOOWAY LEHSEBAHDA Try courage so the beasts may
fall
(leka sebete chia owele sebata)

MOULEGKA, QEHMU TSABHA HOWAHA Those who defy mountains are in truth
cowards
(moleka qem’ o tshaba ho ha ha)

LEHBO HALENG HAOH BUEE KAHLEHAH Even in anger, you do not speak
against wrong
(lebohaleng ha o buiwe kale aaaaa)

LEHBO HALENG HAOH BUEE KAHLEHAH

(lebohaleng ha o buiwe kale aaaaa)

OH OH, HALALAHUMBA GEEYGEEYHIYA HEYHA,

HALALAHUMBA HOIYA HIYA HEYHA,
HALALAHUMBA GEEYGEEYHIYA HEYHA,
HALALAHUMBA HOIYA HIYA HEYHA,

The lionesses enter to mourn the loss of their king.

RAFIKI LIONESSES
AI-YO MABANEKERE MABANEKERE IYO IYO HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH
AI-YO MABANEKERE MABANEKERE NTA-TE HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH
AI-YO MABANEKERE AIYO AIYO HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH
AI-YO NTA-TE AIYO HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH
AI-YO MABANEKERE MABANEKERE AI-YO HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH
AIYO NGWA-NA-MME AIYO HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HUMALA HAH HAH

The lionesses cry out and shed tears. Mufasa’s bier

descends into the earth as Pride Rock rises with
Scar atop it. Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are at his
side.

SCAR
Mufasa's death is a terrible tragedy. But to lose Simba -- who had barely begun to
live? For me, it is a deep, personal loss. So it is with a heavy heart that I
assume the throne. (a beat)
Yet out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era
-- in which lion and hyena come together in a great and glorious future!

A serpentine invasion of hyenas creeps onto the land

and surround Pride Rock and the mourning lionesses.

SCAR
IT'S TIME YOU WERE ALL INTRODUCED TO
YOUR RULER'S EXECUTIVE STAFF
PERHAPS NOT THE KIND YOU'VE BEEN USED TO
BUT CERTAINLY GAME FOR A LAUGH
BE PREPARED
A cacophony of hyena laughter.
 03/12/03 p. 46

Scene 13: Rafiki Mourns

Rafiki, Sarabi and young Nala are left alone on

stage.

She sings as Sarabi mourns for her lost child and

husband.

RAFIKI MILEHLEH MBYANI MPOKA YA NIKA, KUMUYINI.

(Forever all shall live in eternity.)
SARABI
YOUNG NALA KUMUYINI.
(eternity)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAFIKI KAMBE NTSEMBELE MBYANI MPOKA LUNDILA MWANA, HOSANNA.

(Now I shall come close slowly, praises)
SARABI EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
YOUNG NALA HOSANA
(Praises)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAFIKI OH MAMA. NA WU DETSA KAH-MM-BEHHHHHHHHH.

SARABI NA WU DETSA KAH-MM-BE,KONTSARI.
(Oh Mother and all around gather around)
YOUNG NALA

RAFIKI DELA MAMAHHHHHHHHH. MBYARI, MBYARI.

SARABI DELA MAMA KABANTSA KARI. MBYARI, MBYARI.
YOUNG NALA MBYARI. MBYARI.

(The Mother of humanity. He was and always will live in

eternity. Always will. Always shall. Forever and ever.)

Up in her tree, a forlorn Rafiki looks at her

"painting" of the cub and sadly wipes her hand
across it.
 03/12/03 p. 47

Scene 14: Hakuna Matata

A sunbleached, cracked, parched earth at high

noon.

Shadows of buzzards circle over Simba who is lying

unconscious.

Buzzards swoop down to dine on the cub when:

TIMON/PUMBAA (O.S.)
(war-whooping)
Eeeee-yaaaaa!
Enter PUMBAA and TIMON. They charge at the birds
- who scatter.

BUZZARDS
Ack-ack-ack-ack-ack-ack.

TIMON
(yelling)
Get out! Get out! Get out of here!

PUMBAA
I love this! Bowlin' for Buzzards!

Pumbaa sniffs the cub.

PUMBAA
Uh-oh.
(calling)
Hey, Timon, ya better come look. I think it's still alive.

TIMON
Ewwwwww.
(approaching Simba)
Alrightie... What have we got here?
(realizing)
Jeeze, it's a lion! Run, Pumbaa! Move it!

PUMBAA
Hey, Timon -- It's just a little lion. Look at him. He's so cute and all alone.
Can we keep him?

TIMON
Pumbaa, are you nuts? You're talking about a lion! Lions eat guys like us!

PUMBAA
But he's so little.

TIMON
He's gonna get bigger!
 03/12/03 p. 48

PUMBAA
Maybe he'll be on our side!

TIMON
That's the stupidest thing I ever heard.
(repeating)
Maybe he'll be...
(light bulb)
Hey! I've got it! What if he's on our side?
(resolved)
Ya know, havin' a lion around might not be such a bad idea!

Timon gently pat-pats Simba's pulse points.

Simba's eyes flutter open.

TIMON
Hey you okay, kid?

SIMBA
(disoriented)
I... guess so.

A dejected Simba gets up and starts to leave.

TIMON
Where ya goin'?

SIMBA
Nowhere.

TIMON
Gee. He looks blue.

PUMBAA
I'd say brownish-gold.

TIMON
No-no-no. I mean he's depressed.

PUMBAA
Oh.

They walk over to Simba.

PUMBAA
(to Simba)
Hey kid, what's eatin' ya?

TIMON
Nothin'! He's at the top of the food chain. Ha-ha-ha...
(no response)
Ha-ha, you get it, Food chain...
(fading)
Ha-ha...
(then:)

So! Where ya from?

 03/12/03 p. 49

SIMBA
Doesn’t Matter. I can't go back.

TIMON
(elated)
Ah, you're an outcast! That's great! So're we!

PUMBAA
Whad'ja do, kid?

SIMBA
Something terrible. But I don't want to talk about it.

TIMON
Good! We don't want to hear about it.

PUMBAA
Timon.
(to Simba)
Anything we can do?

SIMBA
Not unless you can change the past.

PUMBAA
Ya know, in times like this, my buddy, Timon here says: you gotta put your
behind in your past.
(confused)
Uhhh... No, I mean...

TIMON
No-no-no! Amateur! Lie down before you hurt yourself.
(to Simba)
It's: You gotta put your past behind you.

PUMBAA
I knew that.

TIMON
Look, kid, bad things happen, and you can't do anything about it. Right?

SIMBA
Right.

TIMON
Wrong! When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world.

SIMBA
That's not what I was taught.

TIMON
Then maybe you need a new lesson.
(language lab)

Repeat after me: Hakuna Matata.

 03/12/03 p. 50

SIMBA
What?

PUMBAA
(slowly)
Ha-ku-na Ma-ta-ta.
(explaining)
It means "no worries."

HAKUNA MATATA

As they sing, the desert transforms into a

verdant, lush jungle.

TIMON
HAKUNA MATATA! WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRASE

PUMBAA
HAKUNA MATATA! AIN'T NO PASSING CRAZE

TIMON
IT MEANS NO WORRIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS

TIMON/PUMBAA
IT'S OUR PROBLEM-FREE PHILOSOPHY
HAKUNA MATATA!

SIMBA
Hakuna Matata?

PUMBAA
Yeah. It's our motto!

SIMBA
What's a motto?

TIMON
Nothin'! What's-a-motto with you?!

Plants spring from the ground as the scene

transforms to the jungle.

TIMON
This place really grows on you, kid.

PUMBAA
Hakuna Matata: These two words will solve all your problems.

TIMON
That's right. Take Pumbaa, here...
 03/12/03 p. 51

TIMON
WHY...WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG WARTHOG...

PUMBAA
WHEN I WAS A YOUNG WARTHOG

TIMON
Very nice.

PUMBAA
Thanks.

TIMON
HE FOUND HIS AROMA LACKED A CERTAIN APPEAL
HE COULD CLEAR THE SAVANNAH AFTER EVERY MEAL

PUMBAA
I'M A SENSITIVE SOUL THOUGH I SEEM THICK-SKINNED
AND IT HURT THAT MY FRIENDS NEVER STOOD DOWNWIND

Pumbaa’s aroma causes plants to wilt.

PUMBAA TIMON CHORUS

AND OH THE SHAME He was ashamed AH
THOUGHT OF CHANGIN' MY NAME Oh, What's in a name? AH
AND I GOT DOWNHEARTED How did ya feel? AH
EVERYTIME THAT I FA...

Timon "shushes" Pumbaa.

TIMON
Hey! Pumbaa! Not in front of the kids!

PUMBAA
Oh. Sorry.

TIMON/PUMBA
HAKUNA MATATA! WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRASE
HAKUNA MATATA! AIN'T NO PASSING CRAZE

Simba joins in... his first step towards accepting

their lifestyle.

SIMBA
IT MEANS NO WORRIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS

TIMON
Sing it, kid!

ALL
IT'S OUR PROBLEM-FREE PHILOSOPHY
HAKUNA MATATA!
 03/12/03 p. 52

TIMON
Welcome to our humble abode.

SIMBA
(impressed)
You live here?

TIMON
We live wherever we want.

PUMBAA
Yup! Home is where your rump rests.

SIMBA
Wow. It’s beautiful.

PUMBAA
BURP! Gee, I'm starved!

SIMBA
I'm so hungry, I could eat a whole zebra!

TIMON
(suppressing panic)
Uh... We're fresh out of zebra.

SIMBA
Any antelope?

TIMON
Nuh-uh.

SIMBA
Hippo?

TIMON
Nope. Listen kid, if you're gonna live with us, you gotta eat like us. Hey!
This looks like a good spot to rustle up some grub.

A variety of bugs emerge from amidst the plant

life. Timon picks up a big grub.

SIMBA
Ew. What's that?

TIMON
A grub. What's it look like?

SIMBA
Ew. Gross.

Timon pops the grub in his mouth. Simba is

disgusted.

TIMON
Mmmm! Tastes like chicken.

Pumbaa slurps a big worm.

 03/12/03 p. 53

PUMBAA
Slimy, yet satisfying.

TIMON
(eating bugs)
These are rare delicacies.
(crunch!)

PUMBAA
Ooh, buttered flutterbies, delicious!

TIMON
Mmmmm... Piquant with a very pleasant crunch!

Simba is wary.

PUMBAA
(with a mouthful)
You'll learn to love 'em.

TIMON
I'm tellin' ya, kid -- This is the great life -- No rules, no responsibilities...
(re a bug, yum)
Oooo...The little cream-filled kind! I love those!
(to Simba)
And best of all, no worries! Well, kid?

Simba visually declines with gesture.

TIMON
Well kid. Go Ahead.

EAT IT!
Timon offers Simba the bugs. Simba thinks a
moment. Then he picks up a plump grub.

SIMBA
Here goes...
("Down the hatch!")
Hakuna Matata.
(eats/reacts)
Slimy yet satisfying.

TIMON
That's it!
CHORUS
AAAAAAAAHHHHH (musical)

TIMON/PUMBAA/SIMBA
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA MATATA!
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA MATATA!
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA MATATA!
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA --

Young Simba exits, and adolescent Simba enters to

sing:
 03/12/03 p. 54

SIMBA
IT MEANS NO WORRIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS

TIMON/PUMBAA/SIMBA
IT’S OUR PROBLEM-FREE PHILOSOPHY
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA MATATA!
HAKUNA MATATA! HAKUNA MATATA!

PUMBAA
I SAY HAKUNA!

TIMON
I SAY MATATA!

They exit singing.

End of Act One

 03/12/03 p. 55
Act Two
Entre'Acte

Pride Rock in all its splendor. The chorus,

scattered in different parts of the theatre and
flying kite birds, sings a song which welcomes the
audience back to its seats.

ONE BY ONE
CHORUS
I – I – I – I – I – IBAMBENI Hold on tight my people
NJALO BAKITHI NINGA DINWA Don’t get weary
NINGA PELELWA NGA MANDLA Don’t lose your strength
SIYA BA BONA NGEKEBALUNGE We can see, They will not succeed
ONE BY ONE SIZO NQOBA (3 TIMES) We will win
IBANBENI Hold on tight my people
NJALO BAKITHI NINGA DINWA Don’t get weary
NINGA PELELWA NGA MANDLA Don’t lose your strength
SIYA BA BONA NGEKEBALUNGE We can see, They will not succeed
ONE BY ONE SIZO NQOBA (4 TIMES) We will win
NGO BATHINA SIYA ZAZ’ (4 TIMES) Because we know who we are

Beautiful African kite birdsfly up to Pride Rock

ZOBONA BAYABALEKA Come and see the cowards

ZOBONA ZOBONA ZOBONA ZOBON’ are running away
ZOBONA BAYABALEKA
ZOBONA ZOBONA ZOBONA
ZOBONAMAGWALA HI-EE

UMHLABA WA BANTU This land of our people

GAZI LA BANTU Blood of the people.
SIYA ZIDLA NGALO We are proud of it.
FEMALE SOLO
UMHLABA WA BANTU This land of our people MHLABA WA BANTU
NEGAZI LA BANTU Blood of the people. STHEMBE NKOSINI
SIYA ZIDLA NGALO We are proud of it. SQONDE PHAMBILI
WEMA
UMHLABA WA BANTU This land of our people MHLABA WA BANTU
NOKHOKHO BETHU This land of our ancestors NOKHOKHO BETHU
SIYA ZIDLA NGAWO We are proud of it. YELELE YELELE YELELE
A YELELE MAMA
UMHLABA WA BANTU This land of our people MHLABA WA BANTU
NOKHOKHO BETHU This land of our ancestors NENGANI ZETHU
SIYA ZIDLA NGAWO We are proud of it. STHEMBE NKOSINI AHH

UMHLABA WA BANTU This land of our people

NOKHOKHO BETHU This land of our ancestors
SIYA ZIDLA GAWO We are proud of it.

HAYI-EE. HEH!
KUMNANDI BAKITHIBO O yes it’s beautiful
KUMNANDI KWAY LA O yes it’s beautiful
KIT’AY AFRICA in Africa.

The kite birds are replaced by evil buzzards and

gazelle skeletons, as the color of the Pride lands
drains away -- leaving everything gray, parched,
bleak.
 03/12/03 p. 56
Scene 15: The Madness of King Scar

In Scar’s Cave, Scar reclines, gnawing on a bone.

A bedraggled Zazu, imprisoned under an animal rib
cage, pathetically sings.

ZAZU
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN
NOBODY KNOWS MY SORROW...

SCAR
Oh, Zazu -- do lighten up. Sing something with a little bounce in it!

ZAZU
BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST]
PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST]

SCAR
No! No! No! Anything but that!

Scar sighs deeply.

SCAR
Oh, Zazu... here I am at the pinnacle... yet the view is bleak. What is wrong
with this picture?

ZAZU
(aside)
You're in it, Sire.

SCAR
I am plagued by a profound emptiness.

ZAZU
You're a regular Ennui the Eighth.

SCAR
I need to be bucked up.

ZAZU
You've already bucked up royally.

SCAR
Zazu, why am I not loved?

THE MADNESS OF KING SCAR

SCAR
I AM THAT RARE AND AWESOME THING
I'M EVERY INCH A KING
YET I FEEL A TWINGE OF DOUBT
AS I GO WALKABOUT

Enter Shenzi, Banzai and Ed.

 03/12/03 p. 57

BANZAI
Hey Boss!

SCAR
WHEN MY NAME IS WHISPERED THROUGH THE PRIDE
IS THIS TALK OF LOVE OR REGICIDE?

SHENZI
Reggie who?

SCAR
TELL ME I’M ADORED
PLEASE TELL ME I’M ADORED

BANZAI
Hey Boss!

SCAR
Oh, what is it?

BANZAI
We got a bone to pick with you.

SHENZI
There's no food, no water --

BANZAI
Yeah. It's dinner time, and there ain't no stinkin' entrees!

SCAR
You and your petty complaints. You don't know what real hunger is. Day after
day it gnaws at the very core of my being.

BANZAI
I had that once. It was worms.

SCAR
No, no, no... It's like an itch... deep, persistent, profound...

BANZAI
That's it -- Worms! When they get really bad all you gotta do is...
(demonstrating)
...hunker down and scoot.

SCAR
Thanks for the tip. (exploding) Ingrates! If it weren’t for me, you’d be
beating off buzzards for your next bite!

HYENAS
YEAH, YOU’RE OUR SAVIOR, THANKS A BUNCH
BUT HOW ABOUT SOME LUNCH?
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF IT’S FRESH
I NEED A FIX OF FLESH
MY BONES HAVE MOVED TO WHERE THEY’VE NEVER BEEN
THEY ARE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
 03/12/03 p. 58

SCAR
Are you blaming me?

BANZAI/SHENZI
Oh no, it’s the lionesses.

SCAR
Oh.

HYENAS
YOU ARE SO ADORED
YOU ARE SO ADORED
OH YOU ARE SO ADORED

SCAR
That’s more like it.

HYENAS
BUT WHAT I’D GIVE FOR ONE MORE HIT
OF WILDEBEEST KIELBASA
OR MAYBE HORNBILL ON A SPIT...

ZAZU
OH, HOW I MISS MUFASA

SCAR
(exploding)
Mufasa?! Mufasa?! How dare you!
Hyenas Exit.

I told you never to mention that name!

ZAZU
Note taken. I shall never mention "M-m-m" again.

SCAR
(growling to himself)
Even in death, his shadow looms over me.
(re shadow on wall)
There he is!
(re another shadow)
No! There he is!
(re another shadow)
And there!

ZAZU
Oh, pull yourself together, Sire!

Calming, Scar sighs.

SCAR
Oh, very well.
(Mask)
Zazu?
(in a tired voice)
Zazu, Zazu, Zazu...?

ZAZU
Yes, Sire?
 03/12/03 p. 59
SCAR
Nobody loved me, there’s the rub, not even as a cub. What did my brother have
that I don't have?

ZAZU
Do you want the short list or the long?

SCAR
(dismissive)
Whatever!

ZAZU
Well, he had adoring subjects...a loving family...a devoted queen...

SCAR
That's it! I need a queen!

ZAZU
A what?

SCAR
A queen, man! A queen! Without a queen what am I? -- A dead end, no
descendants, no line, no future. With a queen, I'll have cubs... Immortality
will be mine! Immortality will be mine!!

Nala enters.

NALA
Scar.

SCAR
Ah, Nala... Your timing couldn't be more perfect. My how you've grown.

NALA
Scar, you have to do something. We're being forced to overhunt.

SCAR
SHE'S GOT THOSE ASSETS FEMININE

NALA
You're the king. Control the hyenas.

SCAR
I HAVE TO MAKE HER MINE

NALA
You're destroying the Pridelands.

SCAR
NOBILITY IN EVERY GENE

NALA
If we stop now...Don’t you see...

SCAR
SHE HAS TO BE MY QUEEN

NALA
...there's a chance for things to be all right again...
 03/12/03 p. 60

SCAR
COME SWEET NALA
IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS

NALA
What are you doing? Are you listening to me?

SCAR
WE’LL CREATE A HOST OF LITTLE SCARS

NALA
What are you talking about?

SCAR
TELL ME I’M ADORED

NALA
Get away from me.

SCAR
TELL ME I’M AD – (NALA SCRATCHES SCAR)

Nala backs away. Scar doesn't relent -- He

presses up close to her, his face in hers -- until
Nala takes a swipe at him.

Scar squelches his rage. He touches his wound and

in his sweet, threatening way...

SCAR
Oh, Nala... you know how I loathe violence...

One way or another, you will be mine.

NALA
Never, Scar. Never!

Nala runs out.

SCAR
YOU BELONG TO ME
YOU ALL BELONG TO ME
 03/12/03 p. 61
Scene 16: Nala's Farewell

Forced to leave, Nala bids farewell to the

Lionesses.

SHADOWLAND

LIONESSES
FATSEE LEYSOO LEEAH HALALEYLAH (our land is holy)
FATSEE LEYSOO LEEAH HALALEYLAH

NALA
SHADOWLAND
THE LEAVES HAVE FALLEN
THIS SHADOWED LAND
THIS WAS OUR HOME

THE RIVER'S DRY

THE GROUND HAS BROKEN
SO I MUST GO
NOW I MUST GO

AND WHERE THE JOURNEY MAY LEAD ME

LET YOUR PRAYERS BE MY GUIDE
I CANNOT STAY HERE MY FAMILY
BUT I’LL REMEMBER MY PRIDE

LIONESSES NALA
PRIDELAND I HAVE NO CHOICE
MY LAND I WILL FIND MY WAY
TEAR-STAINED LEEAH HALALEYLAH
DRY LAND
TAKE THIS TAKE THIS PRAYER
WITH YOU WHAT LIES OUT THERE
FATSEE LEYSOO LEEAH HALALEYLAH

LIONESSES
AND WHERE THE JOURNEY MAY LEAD YOU
LET THIS PRAYER BE YOUR GUIDE
THOUGH IT MAY TAKE YOU SO FAR AWAY
ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PRIDE

Nala begins her long journey. As she passes, Rafiki blesses her.

LIONESSES RAFIKI NALA

FATSEE LEYSOO LEEAH HALALEYLAH WANAKA UNKA TSEE LA FATSHE LE SO
FATSEE LEYSOO LEEAH HALALEYLAH YA HOW HOI HO FATSHE LE SO
LE FATSHE KEE LA HA LA LE LA
HOW GOW FA
LAUNKA TSEELA
KEE YA HOW
WA NA KA BO BESUBO
TSEE LA SWA YOO
TSEE LA SWA YOO FATSHE LE SO
TSEE LA SWA YOO
TSEE LA KE YA HOW
WA NA KA BO LE AH LE AH
HA LA LE LA
 03/12/03 p. 62

NALA/LIONESSES
AND WHERE THE JOURNEY MAY LEAD ME/YOU
LET THIS PRAYER BE MY/YOUR GUIDE
THOUGH IT MAY TAKE ME/YOU SO FAR AWAY
ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PRIDE

LIONESSES NALA RAFIKI

AND WHERE THE JOURNEY MAY LEAD YOU GIZA BUYABO GIZA BUYABO UZO
BUYABO
LET THIS PRAYER BE YOUR GUIDE I WILL RETURN I WILL RETURN BESOBO UZO
BUYABO
THOUGH IT MAY TAKE YOU SO FAR AWAY GIZA BUYABO I WILL RETURN
ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR PRIDE GIZA BUYABO

NALA
OH GIZA BUYABO
BESOBO MY PEOPLE
BESOBO
 03/12/03 p. 63
Scene 17: Simba's Nightmare

Timon and Pumbaa in the jungle singing. Unnoticed,

Simba playfully stalks his two pals.

PUMBAA
A WEEM A WEP, A WEEM A WEP
A WEEM A WEP, A WEEM A WEP
A WEEM A WEP, A WEEM A WEP
A WEEM A WEP, A WEEM A WEP (continues)

TIMON
IN THE JUNGLE, THE MIGHTY JUNGLE,
THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT
IN THE JUNGLE,

TIMON
THE MIGHTY JUNGLE
Simba pounces, quietly taking out Pumbaa.

THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT

TIMON
I can't hear ya, buddy. Back me up.
(singing)
AH WHEE-EEE-EEE-EEE
A-PUMBAA BUM BA-WAY...

Simba pounces on Timon, sending Timon sprawling.

TIMON
Ah, ya big hairball! What is it with you lately?

PUMBAA
Aw, Timon. Ease up on the kid. He can't help himself. He's got all that...
(knowing... on the Q.T.)
..."youthful energy"... if you catch my drift.

TIMON
I'm always catching your drift, Pumbaa. Whew!
(to Simba)
And you! What is it with all this stalking and pouncing?

SIMBA
I don't know, Timon. I see you, I can't resist.

TIMON
Well, cease and resist!

SIMBA
There’s just something about you – That rodent thing... Those twitchy little
moves, those beady little eyes...I just gotta...

Simba lunges for Timon.

 03/12/03 p. 64

TIMON
Hey! Cut that out!!! Geeze. Relax, will ya! And my eyes ain’t beady. They’re
big, big, big. It's time to bed down, anyway.

PUMBAA
(to Simba)
Yeah! We're in the jungle, the mighty jungle. So lion, sleep tonight!

TIMON
Hmmmm... This looks like a good spot.
(arranging leaves)
Fluffy bedding...
(lifts a dead log and sees bugs)
Late night snacks...
(cupping ear)
The soothing tones of a babbling brook.

SIMBA
Sorry, Timon. But this place just doesn't feel right. We gotta move on.

TIMON
(to groundrow guys)
Thanks. Simba, you've been looking for the right place for weeks. Come on,
Pumbaa.

PUMBAA
Huh? What's the problem?

TIMON
Him. The Young and the Restless wants us to move camp.

PUMBAA
Again?!
(to Simba)
Simba, home is where your rump rests.

TIMON
Well, his rump's a' roamin'.

PUMBAA
(confused)
Who's a Roman?

TIMON
Simba Tiberius, here.

Simba starts to leave, beckoning.

SIMBA
Come on, guys.

Timon holds back.

TIMON
Uh... Maybe if you told us exactly what you was looking for...

SIMBA
I don't know. Some place greener or quieter or more exciting or with a better
view...and full of...danger. I don't know. Just not this place. Something's
not right here.
 03/12/03 p. 65

TIMON
I'll tell ya' what's not right! Us traipsing around this jungle night after
night in search of the
(mocking)
"perfect spot!"
(then)
If it's all the same to you, we're gonna stay. Right, Pumbaa?

PUMBAA
Huh?... Oh. Right!

SIMBA
Okay, then. Fine.

Simba starts to exit, calling back:

SIMBA
Ya know, you're turning into a couple of old farts.

Simba exits.

PUMBAA
Well, he's got me pegged.

TIMON
Ha. If he thinks he's gonna get a rise out of me... Pfft...

They hear loud night sounds of the jungle.

TIMON
You hear that?

PUMBAA
What?

Timon and Pumbaa move closer together and quiver

with fear.

TIMON
(panicking)
C-c-c-carnivore sounds!
(over-concerned)
Ya know, I bet Simba isn't too safe out there.

PUMBAA
Yeah, I think we better go protect him.

TIMON
Yeah

TIMON/PUMBAA
(panicked call)
Yeah! Simba! Wait up!
Timon and Pumbaa go looking for Simba. They
come upon a rushing river.

TIMON
Geez! Where is he?
 03/12/03 p. 66

PUMBAA
I don't know.
(worried)
Maybe we're lost.
There is a pause.

TIMON/PUMBAA
(pathetic cry)
SIMMMBAAAA!
Simba appears on the other side of the river.

SIMBA
(cocky)
Couldn't handle it without me, huh?!

TIMON
Actually, we were worried about you. What if you twisted your ankle? What if you
ate a bad bug?

SIMBA
What if you stopped talking and started walking?

PUMBAA
A fine idea!

TIMON
(re: river, concerned)
What about this... water?

SIMBA
Well, what about it?

TIMON
Well -- it's big...and wet...and it's in hurry.

SIMBA
So jump over. If you can't keep up, Timon, I don't want ya.

TIMON
Hey! I can keep up. Just watch.

Timon walks to the stream’s bank and like a golfer

sizing up a shot, sizes up the situation. Pumbaa,
like a TV golf announcer, whispers the play-by-
play.

PUMBAA
Ladies and gentlemen, preparing for his leap. . . Timon estimates the distance
between banks, checks the speed of the current, factors in wind velocity...

SIMBA
Are you coming or not?

TIMON
Don’t rush me. This is an art.
 03/12/03 p. 67

SIMBA
Timon!

TIMON
(very Vegas)
Drumroll, please! Live from the Jungle Room of the fabulous Savannah Hotel. . .
it’s Timon and his extraordinary death defying leap!
(swallowing hard)
I hope.
(revving up)
Eeeeeeee-yaaaaaaah!!!
Timon takes a running leap and lands in the
stream.

TIMON
Aaaaaaaaaaaa...
Timon is carried off stage in the river.

PUMBAA
Timon!
SIMBA
Timon! Buddy!
PUMBAA
Simba, he’s gone! Where is he? What do we do?

A puppet of Timon appears hanging from a branch

over the crest of a roaring waterfall. Below
crocodiles snap hungrily. Simba sees him.

SIMBA
Timon!
(pointing to Timon)
Pumbaa!

PUMBAA
Oh no, Timon!

TIMON (V.O.)
Heeeeelp! Help me, buddy!!!

Simba freezes. The sight of dangling Timon sends

Simba into a flashback: The water becomes
wildebeest hooves and the image of Mufasa falling
to his death.

YOUNG SIMBA (V.O.)

Dad!
PUMBAA
Timon!
The stampede sounds and images end abruptly. Timon
loses his grip and falls into the croc-filled pool.

TIMON (V.O.)
Aaaaaaah!!
Pumbaa runs to the edge of the pool.
 03/12/03 p. 68

PUMBAA
Timon! Simba! Help! I can’t see him! Come on, buddy, please! Where are you?
Oh no, there he is!
Simba, do something!
Timon!

Timon spits out a fish, which Pumbaa catches

in his mouth.
TIMON
Eeeeeew. That's why I hate public pools. Ya' never know who you'll be swimmin'
with.

SIMBA
Are you all right, buddy?

TIMON
Thanks for nothing! What do you have to say for yourself, Mr. Pouncer?

The previously confident, cocky teenager is now

stunned and shaken.

PUMBAA
Yeah. What happened to you up there, Simba?

SIMBA
I-I-I don't know. I just froze. Timon, you could have died...

TIMON
That's right.

SIMBA
(fixated)
You... could have died...

TIMON
But I didn't.

SIMBA
(still stuck)
I mean... you could have died...

TIMON
You're getting repetitive.

SIMBA
But...

TIMON
Enough with the dying thing! You're depressing me! Hakuna Matata, alright? Let
it go.

There is an awkward silence.

 03/12/03 p. 69

PUMBAA
(brightly)
Well, now that that's settled... let's go grab a bite!

TIMON
Great idea!

PUMBAA
I could go for a June Bug sandwich.

TIMON
And a side of flies!

They exit.
 03/12/03 p. 70
Scene 18: Under the Stars

Another part of the jungle. The night sky is

filled with twinkling stars.

Timon, Pumbaa and Simba all on their backs,

looking up at the stars.

They are silent for a moment. Then out of the

blue:

PUMBAA
(wondrous)
Timon?

TIMON
Yeah?

PUMBAA
Ever wonder what those sparkly dots up there are?

TIMON
Pumbaa, I don't wonder. I know.

PUMBAA
Oh. What are they?

TIMON
They're fireflies. Fireflies that got stuck up on that big bluish black thing.

PUMBAA
Oh, gee -- I always thought they were balls of gas, burning billions of miles
away.

TIMON
Pumbaa, with you everything's gas.

PUMBAA
Simba, what do you think?

SIMBA
Well. . .I always thought. . . I mean. . . Never mind.

PUMBAA
Aw, c'mon. We told you ours.

TIMON
Give-give-give.

PUMBAA
Please?

SIMBA
Well... somebody once told me the great kings of the past are up there --
watching over us.
 03/12/03 p. 71

PUMBAA
Really?

TIMON
Ya mean a bunch of royal dead guys are watchin' us?
(laughing it off)
Ha-ha-ha-ha... Who told ya something like that?

Everybody laughs uproariously.

TIMON
What mook made that up?

SIMBA
(laughing sheepishly)
Pretty dumb, huh?

TIMON
Aw, you're killin' me!

Timon and Pumbaa continue laughing. Simba wanders

off. Timon notices.

TIMON
Was it something I said?
 03/12/03 p. 72
Scene 19: Endless Night/He's Alive!

Simba, on a nearby cliff, gazes up at the sky.

ENDLESS NIGHT

VOICES
HEM
HEM HEM HEM HEM
WE BABA NGIVELELWE

SIMBA
WHERE HAS THE STARLIGHT GONE?
DARK…IS THE DAY
HOW CAN I FIND MY WAY HOME?

HOME IS AN EMPTY DREAM

LOST…TO THE NIGHT
FATHER I FEEL SO ALONE

YOU PROMISED YOU’D BE THERE

WHENEVER I NEEDED YOU
WHENEVER I CALL YOUR NAME
YOU’RE NOT ANYWHERE

I’M TRYING TO HOLD ON

JUST WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
ONE WORD, JUST A WORD WILL DO
TO END THIS NIGHTMARE

WHEN WILL THE DAWNING BREAK?

OH ENDLESS NIGHT
SLEEPLESS I DREAM OF THE DAY

WHEN YOU WERE BY MY SIDE

GUIDING MY PATH
FATHER I CAN’T FIND THE WAY

YOU PROMISED YOU’D BE THERE

WHENEVER I NEEDED YOU
WHENEVER I CALL YOUR NAME
YOU’RE NOT ANYWHERE

I’M TRYING TO HOLD ON

JUST WAITING TO HEAR YOUR VOICE
ONE WORD, JUST A WORD WILL DO
TO END THIS NIGHTMARE

CHORUS
I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE

I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR

AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
 03/12/03 p. 73

SIMBA AND CHORUS

I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE

I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR

AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE

Chorus repeats as:

SIMBA CHORUS
I KNOW I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST
END
YES I KNOW AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
THE SUN WILL RISE AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
YES I KNOW I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR
I KNOW AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE

Rafiki’s Tree appears. Rafiki enters listening

intently to the distant sound of the song in an
earhorn. There is a familiarity to it that piques
her curiosity.

SIMBA CHORUS
I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
I KNOW THAT THE SUN WILL RISE AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
AND I’LL HEAR YOUR VOICE AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
DEEP INSIDE I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR
AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
I KNOW NIGHT MUST END AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
AND THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR I KNOW THAT THE NIGHT MUST END
OH AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
THE SUN AND THAT THE SUN WILL RISE
THE SUN WILL RISE I KNOW THAT THE CLOUDS MUST CLEAR
THE SUN AND THAT THE SUN WILL SHINE
THE SUN WILL RI- AND THAT THE SUN WILL

Rafiki snatches the sound out of the air. The

music stops abruptly. She tosses the sound into a
bowl, and reads them like tea leaves. There is a
flash of recognition.

RAFIKI
Simba?!...Simba...He's alive! He's alive!!!

Laughing, she returns to the painting in the

tree’s hollow, and smears a mane on the image of
the cub.

RAFIKI
It is time.
 03/12/03 p. 74

Scene 20: Simba & Nala Reunite

In the jungle.

PUMBAA
(running by)
She's gonna eat me!

Pumbaa enters, running and screaming past Rafiki

as she exits. A lioness puppet pursues a Pumbaa
puppet through jungle dancers. Timon enters and
dances. Pumbaa reenters.

PUMBAA
She's gonna eat me!

TIMON
Who's gonna...?

A lioness enters. Timon sees her.

TIMON (CONT’D)
Whoa!

Pumbaa races across the stage, and gets stuck in

the jungle dancers.

PUMBAA
I’m stuck!

TIMON
(trying to free Pumbaa)
Why do I always have to save your...
(seeing lioness charging)
Aaaaa!!!

As the lioness leaps, Simba jumps onto stage. They

fight.

TIMON (CONT’D)
Don't worry, buddy. I'm here for you. Everything's gonna be okay.
(calling to Simba)
Get her! Bite her head!

PUMBAA
(unable to see a thing)
What's going on?

TIMON
Go for the jugular...The jugular!

PUMBAA
Who's bitin' who?
 03/12/03 p. 75

The lioness pins Simba to the ground -- the way

Nala did when they were cubs. Simba thinks he
recognizes her.

SIMBA
Nala?

Startled, Nala backs away.

SIMBA (CONT'D)
Is it really you?

NALA
Who are you?

SIMBA
It's me -- Simba.

She steps back, unsure.

NALA
Simba?... Simba!

Simba gives her a reassuring nod. Both scream.

SIMBA/NALA
Whoaaaaaa!

Timon is slack-jawed. Dialogue overlaps.

NALA
How did you...?

SIMBA
How did you...?
(a beat)
WOW!!!!

NALA
Where did you come from?

SIMBA
It's great ta see ya!

TIMON
Hey! What's goin' on here?

SIMBA
What are you doing here?

NALA
What do you mean what am I doing here? What are you doing here?

TIMON
HEY! -- WHAT’S GOIN’ ON HERE?
 03/12/03 p. 76

SIMBA
Timon, this is Nala. She's my friend.

TIMON
Friend?

SIMBA
Yeah.
(calling)
Hey, Pumbaa! Come over here.
(introducing)
Nala, this is Pumbaa. Pumbaa -- Nala.

PUMBAA
Pleased to make your acquaintance!

NALA
The pleasure's all mine.

TIMON
Yeah, it's nice to mmm...
(stopping himself)
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Time out! Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows
you. But she wants to eat us. And everybody's okay with this? Did I miss
something?

SIMBA
Relax, Timon.

NALA
I can't believe this! Everybody thinks you're dead.

SIMBA
They do?

NALA
Yes. Scar told us about the stampede.

SIMBA
He did? What else did he tell you?

NALA
What else matters? You're alive! And that means...
(oh, my God)
You're the king!

Simba is taken aback. Timon leaps up:

TIMON
"King?"
("oh, go on")
Pfffff! Lady, have you got your lions crossed!
 03/12/03 p. 77

NALA
No, he is the rightful king.

Pumbaa believes and is in awe. He moves

respectfully toward Simba.

PUMBAA
The king! Your Majesty...

Pumbaa bows reverently.

PUMBAA
I gravel at your feet.

SIMBA
Pumbaa stop it.

TIMON
It's not "gravel"; it's grovel. And don't! He's not the king.
(to Simba)
Are ya?

SIMBA
No.

NALA
Simba!

SIMBA
Maybe I was going to be -- But that was a long time ago.

NALA
(to Timon/Pumbaa)
Look, could you excuse us for a few minutes?

TIMON
Hey, whatever she has to say, she can say in front of us. Right, Simba?

Simba gestures for them to leave.

SIMBA
Uh -- Maybe you better go.

Timon throws up his arms.

TIMON
It starts.
(exiting)
Ya think ya know a guy...

Simba looks at the duo exiting.

 03/12/03 p. 78

SIMBA
Timon and Pumbaa -- You'll learn to love 'em.

She is overcome with emotion.

SIMBA
What?... What is it?

NALA
It's like you're back from the dead.

Fighting back tears, Nala turns away. Now Simba

is even more at a loss.

SIMBA
Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. And you —— You even pinned me again!

Nala looks up and smiles at him.

NALA
I've really missed you.

SIMBA
I've missed you, too.

Timon and Pumbaa spy on Simba and Nala from behind

a fern.

TIMON
I tell ya Pumbaa, this stinks.

PUMBAA
(embarrassed)
Oh. Sorry.

TIMON
Not you. Them. Him; her; alooone.

PUMBAA
What's wrong with that?

CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT

TIMON PUMBAA
I CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING What?
AND THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE Who?
THEY'LL FALL IN LOVE AND HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE
OUR TRIO'S DOWN TO TWO Oh.

TIMON
THE SWEET CARESS OF TWILIGHT
THERE'S MAGIC EVERYWHERE
AND WITH ALL THIS ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE
DISASTER'S IN THE AIR
 03/12/03 p. 79

CHORUS
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT
THE PEACE THE EVENING BRINGS
THE WORLD FOR ONCE IN PERFECT HARMONY
WITH ALL ITS LIVING THINGS

SIMBA
SO MANY THINGS TO TELL HER
BUT HOW TO MAKE HER SEE
THE TRUTH ABOUT MY PAST, IMPOSSIBLE
SHE'D TURN AWAY FROM ME.

NALA
HE'S HOLDING BACK, HE'S HIDING
BUT WHAT, I CAN'T DECIDE
WHY WON'T HE BE THE KING I KNOW HE IS,
THE KING I SEE INSIDE?

SIMBA/NALA CHORUS
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT MAMELA MAMELA BONA
LEYRATOWEH
THE PEACE THE EVENING BRINGS MAMELA MAMELA BONA
LEYRATOWEH
THE WORLD FOR ONCE IN PERFECT HARMONY MAMELA LEYRATOWEH
WITH ALL ITS LIVING THINGS MAMELA LEYRATOWEH

Instrumental (Ballet)

CHORUS/SIMBA/NALA
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT
YOU NEEDN'T LOOK TOO FAR
STEALING THROUGH THE NIGHT'S UNCERTAINTIES
LOVE IS WHERE THEY ARE

NALA
AND IF HE FEELS THE LOVE TONIGHT
IN THE WAY I DO

SIMBA
IT’S ENOUGH FOR THIS RESTLESS WANDERER

SIMBA/NALA
JUST TO BE WITH YOU

SIMBA
(very "up")
Isn't this a great place?

NALA
It is beautiful.

SIMBA
And there's lots more you haven't even seen yet.
 03/12/03 p. 80

NALA
Simba, I don't understand. You've been alive all this time. Why didn't you come
back to Pride Rock?

SIMBA
And leave paradise?

NALA
We needed you. I needed you.

SIMBA
Well, I needed to get out on my own... live my own life. And I did! And it's
great!

NALA
Simba, Scar let the hyenas take over the pride lands.

SIMBA
(genuine)
What?

NALA
Everything's destroyed. There's no food, no water. If we go back together, we
can do something about it.

SIMBA
I can't go back.

NALA
(shocked/confused)
Why?

SIMBA
You wouldn't understand.

NALA
What wouldn't I understand?

SIMBA
No, no, no... It doesn't matter. Hakuna Matata.

NALA
What?

SIMBA
Hakuna Matata. It's something I learned out here. Look, sometimes bad things
happen...

NALA
(interrupting)
Simba...

SIMBA
(driving on)

...and there's nothing you can do about it. So why worry?

 03/12/03 p. 81

NALA
What's happened to you? You're not the Simba I remember.

SIMBA
You're right. I'm not. Now are you satisfied?

NALA
No. Just disappointed.

SIMBA
You know, you’re beginning to sound like my father.

NALA
Good! At least one of us does.

SIMBA
Look! You think you can just show up and tell me how to live my life? You don't
even know what really happened!

Simba starts to exit.

NALA
I would if you'd just tell me!

SIMBA
Forget it!

NALA
Fine!
 03/12/03 p. 82
Scene 21: Mufasa's Ghost

The jungle at night. Simba paces.

SIMBA
She's wrong. I can't go back. What would it prove, anyway? It won't change
anything.

He sits. The silence is interrupted by an odd

little tune.

RAFIKI'S VOICE
TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA
TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA

Rafiki dances on.

RAFIKI
TAMATI BOOM BOOM BOOM
A BOOM-BOOM BOOM

SIMBA
Come on! Will ya cut it out?

Simba walks away. Rafiki follows.

RAFIKI
Can't cut it out. It'll grow right back!

TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA

SIMBA
Creepy little monkey. Would you stop following me?

RAFIKI
(gingerly)
TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA

Rafiki continues to shadow him.

SIMBA (CONT'D)
Who are you?

Rafiki comes right up to Simba.

RAFIKI
The question is: who are you?

Rafiki's words touch a nerve.

SIMBA
(a sigh, then:)
I thought I knew. Now I'm not so sure.

RAFIKI
I know who you are. Shhh... Come here. It's a secret.

Simba leans his ear toward Rafiki.

 03/12/03 p. 83

RAFIKI
TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA
TAMATI ZO, A ZO, A EHELE LE LE MA

While Rafiki continues singing:

SIMBA
Enough already! What is that supposed to mean, anyway?

RAFIKI
It means you are a baboon, and I am not!
(laughing)
Hee-hee-hee.

SIMBA
I think you're a little confused.

RAFIKI
Wrong! I'm not the one who's confused. You don't even know who you are.

SIMBA
And I suppose you know?

RAFIKI
Sure do. You're Mufasa's boy.

SIMBA
You knew my father?

RAFIKI
Correction. I know your father.

SIMBA
I hate to tell you this, but my father died a long time ago.

RAFIKI
Nope. Wrong again! eh eh. Click
(excited)
He's alive! I'll show him to you. You trust old Rafiki. She knows what she's
talking about.

Rafiki approaches a curtain of reeds. She parts

them, directing Simba:

RAFIKI
Shhhh... Look down there.

Simba anxiously, cautiously approaches a pool of

water. He looks in and sees the reflection of a
lion.

SIMBA
(disappointed)
That's not my father. It's just my reflection.

RAFIKI
No... Look harder...

Simba looks deeply into the pool.

 03/12/03 p. 84
HE LIVES IN YOU

CHORUS
INGONYAMA NE’GWENAMABALA
INGONYAMA NE’GWENAMABALA

RAFIKI
NIGHT AND THE SPIRIT OF LIFE CALLING
AND A VOICE WITH THE FEAR OF A CHILD ANSWERS
AI-YA MAMELA I-YO
UBU KHOSI BO KHOKHO
This is the throne of our ancestors

CHORUS
WE NDODANA YE SIZWE SONKE
Oh son of the nation

RAFIKI
WAIT, THERE'S NO MOUNTAIN TOO GREAT
HEAR THESE WORDS AND HAVE FAITH
OH HAVE FAITH CHORUS
HELA HM MAMELA, HELA HM
MAMELA
HELA HM MAMELA, HELA HM
MAMELA
HE LIVES IN YOU HELA HM MAMELA…
HE LIVES IN ME
HE WATCHES OVER
EVERYTHING WE SEE
INTO THE WATER
INTO THE TRUTH
IN YOUR REFLECTION
HE LIVES IN YOU

Stars in the night sky have magically come

together to form the image of Mufasa’s face.

MUFASA
Simba...

Simba looks up to see where the voice is coming

from. He knows it belongs to his father.

SIMBA
Father?

MUFASA
Simba, you have forgotten me.

SIMBA
No! How could I?
 03/12/03 p. 85

MUFASA
You have forgotten who you are, and so, have forgotten me. Look inside yourself,
Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the
Circle of Life.

SIMBA
How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.

MUFASA
Remember who you are...You are my son and the one true king.

Stars in the sky become the lit faces of the

chorus who sing in celebration.

RAFIKI CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU HELA HM MAMELA HELA
HE LIVES IN ME HE LIVES IN ME HELA HM MAMALA HELA
HE WATCHES OVER HE WATCHES OVER HELA HM MAMALA HELA
EVERYTHING WE SEE EVERYTHING WE SEE HELA HM MAMALA HELA
INTO THE WATER INTO THE WATER HELA HM MAMALA HELA
INTO THE TRUTH INTO THE TRUTH HELA HM MAMALA HELA
IN YOUR REFLECTION IN YOUR REFLECTION
HE LIVES IN YOU HE LIVES IN YOU

The vision starts to fade...

MUFASA
Remember who you are...

As the vision fades, so does the Chorus whose

faces dim one by one... the song's volume slowly
diminishing.

CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU

SIMBA
No! Wait!

CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU

SIMBA
Don't leave me!

CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU

SIMBA
Please! Don’t leave me!

CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU
 03/12/03 p. 86

The vision is gone. Simba is alone under a huge

field of stars, gazing up. Rafiki approaches.

RAFIKI
Hey bo! What was that? The weather. Most peculiar, eh?

SIMBA
Yeah. Looks like the winds are changing.

RAFIKI
Ah... Change is good.

SIMBA
But it's not easy. I know what I have to do. But it means facing my past.

Rafiki hits Simba squarely on the head with her

stick.

SIMBA
(recoiling in pain)
Ow! Geez! What was that for?

RAFIKI
It doesn't matter. It's in the past.

SIMBA
Yeah, but it still hurts.

RAFIKI
Oh, yes... the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from
it... or you can learn from it.

Rafiki again swings her stick at Simba, but this

time he ducks.

RAFIKI (CONT'D)
You see? So what are you going to do now?

SIMBA
First, I'm gonna take that stick.

RAFIKI
No-no-no... Not the stick!

Simba playfully tosses the stick back to Rafiki,

and starts to exit, running.

RAFIKI
Hey bo! Where you going?

SIMBA
(calling back)
I'm going back!
 03/12/03 p. 87

RAFIKI
Good! Get out of here!

Rafiki does a little victory dance and cheers, as

Simba dances. The chorus appears in brightly
colored dashikis.

RAFIKI CHORUS
AI YO HE LIVES IN YOU
HELA, HM MAMELA, HELA

HIYA HIYA HIYO HE LIVES IN ME

HELA, HM MAMELA, HELA

HE WATCHES OVER
HE WATCHES OVER HM MAMELA
EVERYTHING WE SEE
HA LA LA HA LA LA HIYO
HA LA LA HA LA LA HIYO HELA HM MAMELA
INTO THE WATER
INTO THE WATER HM MAMELA
INTO THE TRUTH
HA LA LA HA LA LA HIYO HELA, HM MAMELA
IN YOUR REFLECTION
IN YOUR REFLECTION HM MAMELA
HE LIVES IN YOU
AI YO HIYO

Dancers enter and surround Simba.

SIMBA RAFIKI/CHORUS
HE LIVES IN YOU
OH NTATE HELA, HM MAMELA, HELA
HE LIVES IN ME
HELA, HM MAMELA, HELA
HE WATCHES OVER
HE WATCHES OVER HM MAMELA
EVERYTHING WE SEE
EVERYTHING WE SEE HELA HM MAMELA
INTO THE WATER
INTO THE WATER HM MAMELA
INTO THE TRUTH
OHHHHH HELA HM MAMELA
IN YOUR REFLECTION
IN YOUR REFLECTION HM MAMELA
HE LIVES IN YOU HE LIVES IN YOU

They Exit
 03/12/03 p. 88
Scene 22: Who's the Monkey?

Timon and Pumbaa are asleep and snoring in the

jungle.

Nala enters and nudges Pumbaa, then Timon.

NALA
Pumbaa psst... Wake up. Timon, wake up.

Timon opens his eyes drowsily and sees a lioness

looming over him. He screams in fear.

TIMON
Aaaaa!

Pumbaa wakes and screams with Timon.

PUMBAA/TIMON
Aaaaaa!

NALA
It's okay. Whoa-Whoa! It's okay. It's me, it’s me.

TIMON
Don't ever do that again.
(under breath)
Carnivores. Oy!

NALA
Have either of you seen Simba?

TIMON
I thought he was with you.

NALA
He was. But now I can't find him. Where is he?

Rafiki swings on stage on a vine.

RAFIKI
Ha, ha. Ha, ha. You won't find him here. The king has returned.

Rafiki swings off.

NALA
(amazed/excited)
I can't believe it. He's gone back.

TIMON
Gone back? What do you mean?
 03/12/03 p. 89

Rafiki swings on and off stage again, laughing.

RAFIKI
Ha Ha Ha Whee!

TIMON
Hey! What's goin' on here? Alright, who’s the monkey?

NALA
Simba's gone back to challenge Scar.

TIMON
Who?

NALA
Scar.

PUMBAA
Who's got a scar?

NALA
No-no-no -- It's his uncle.

TIMON
The monkey's his uncle?

NALA
No. Simba's gone back to challenge his uncle to take his place as king.

TIMON/PUMBAA
(realizing)
Ohh-hhh...

They Exit.
 03/12/03 p. 90
Scene 23: Simba Confronts Scar

Pride Rock is gray, parched, bleak, silent.

Hyenas lounge about, sleeping, snoring.

Simba enters and surveys the situation. Nala

enters and joins him.

NALA
Simba!

SIMBA
Nala. . .

NALA
What made you come back?

SIMBA
I finally got some sense knocked into me. And I’ve got the lump to prove it.
Besides, this is my kingdom. If I don’t fight for it, who will?

NALA
I will.
Timon and Pumbaa enter.

TIMON
Count us in, too.

SIMBA
Shhh! What are you guys doing here?

PUMBAA
At your service, my liege.

SIMBA
Follow me.

TIMON
(second thoughts)
We're gonna fight your uncle for this?

SIMBA
Yes, Timon. This is my home.

TIMON
Talk about your fixer-upper!(seeing hyenas approach) Hyenas! I hate hyenas! So
what’s the plan for getting past those guys?

SIMBA
Live bait.

TIMON
Great idea. Hey!
 03/12/03 p. 91

SIMBA
Come on, Timon. You guys have to create a diversion.

TIMON
What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the Charleston?

Timon puts on a tiara and curly locks.

TIMON
SIX FOOT TWO
LOTS TO CHEW
COME AND GET YOUR WARTHOG STEW
HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY PIG?

PUMBAA
ZOOTELEY OT ZOOTELY OT ZOOT ZOOT ZOO-DAH

TIMON
What a ham!

TIMON
PURPLE TOES
HOLD YOUR NOSE
DON’T GET NEAR HIM ‘CASE HE BLOWS
DON’T YOU WANT A PIECE OF –
HOW’S ABOUT A BITE OF –
SINK YOUR TEETH INTO MY PIG

PUMBAA
how ‘bout them ribs!

TIMON
Oink!

SIMBA
Nala, you find my mother and rally the lionesses. I’ll deal with Scar.

NALA
Be careful.

Scar enters and climbs Pride Rock.

SCAR
SA-RAAA-BIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His call echoes. Sarabi enters with head held

high, and walks the gauntlet through the crowd of
hostile hyenas.

SARABI
Yes, Scar?

SCAR
Where is your hunting party? They're not doing their job.
 03/12/03 p. 92

SARABI
Scar, there is no food. The herds have moved on.

SCAR
No! You're just not looking hard enough.

SARABI
It's over, Scar. There is nothing left. We have only one choice. We must leave
Pride Rock.

SCAR
We're not going anywhere.

SARABI
Then you are sentencing us to death.

SCAR
Then so be it.

SARABI
You can't do that.

SCAR
I am the king, and I can do whatever I want!

SARABI
If you were half the king Mufasa was, you would never...

SCAR
I AM TEN TIMES THE KING MUFASA WAS!

Scar strikes Sarabi, and she falls.

A flash of heat lightning illuminates the shadowy

figure of a lion. It is Simba -- who has
witnessed Scar's brutality. Simba charges toward
Scar.

SIMBA
No! Scar!!

Scar backs away in fear:

SCAR
Mufasa? -- No! -- It can't be. You're dead! You’re dead!

Simba stands near his mother. Sarabi lifts her

head, unsure of who the stranger is.

SARABI
(groggy)
Mufasa?

SIMBA
No. It's me.
 03/12/03 p. 93

SARABI
(weakly)
Simba... You're alive. How can that be?

SIMBA
It doesn't matter. I'm home.

Scar regains his confidence.

SCAR
Simba!
(nervous laugh)
Simba. I'm a little surprised to see you --
(glares at hyenas)
alive.

Shenzi, Banzai and Ed skulk away. Simba stalks

Scar -- who backs away.

SIMBA
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip you apart.

SCAR
Simba-Simba-Simba you must understand. The pressures of ruling a kingdom...

SIMBA
(interrupting)
Are no longer yours. Step down, Scar.

SCAR
Oh, well I would, naturally. But there is one little problem. You see them?
They think I'm king.

He gestures to the gathered ranks of Hyenas.

From the other side of the promontory, Nala enters

with the lionesses.

NALA
Well, we don't. Simba's the rightful king.

SCAR
(re Nala)
Oh look —— the cat came back.
(then)
Hello, Kitty.
SIMBA
The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down or fight.

SCAR
Must this all end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a
family member.
(pointed)
Wouldn't you agree, Simba?
 03/12/03 p. 94

SIMBA
That's not going to work, Scar. I've put it behind me.

SCAR
Oh... And what about your faithful subjects? Have they put it behind them?

NALA
What is he talking about?

SCAR
So you haven't told them your little secret? Well, Simba, now's your chance to
tell them. Tell them who's responsible for Mufasa's death.

There is a long beat. Then:

SIMBA
I am.

SARABI
It's not true. Tell me it's not true.

SIMBA
It's true.

SCAR
He admits it! Murderer!

SIMBA
No! It was an accident.

SCAR
If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive. It's your fault he’s dead.
You’re the one to blame. Do you deny it?

SIMBA
No.

SCAR
Then you're guilty!

SIMBA
No! I'm not a murderer.

Scar backs Simba up to the edge of the promontory.

SCAR
Simba, you're in trouble again. But this time, Daddy isn't here to save you.
And now everybody knows why.

Simba hangs on the edge of the promontory.

 03/12/03 p. 95

SIMBA
Aaaaaaa!

NALA
Simba!

Simba clings to the edge of the promontory. The

relationship of Simba and Scar is reminiscent of
the moments right before Mufasa's death.

SCAR
Now this looks familiar. Hmm -- where have I seen this before? Let me think...
Oh, yes! I remember! This is just the way your father looked before he died.
(a beat)
And here's my little secret:
(whispering)
I killed Mufasa.

The sound of the stampede thunders in Simba's

ears.

SIMBA
Noooooo!

Simba leaps up and knocks Scar to the edge of the

promontory. He holds him by the throat.

SIMBA
Murderer!

SCAR
No! Simba -- please.

SIMBA
(re the Pride)
Tell them the truth.

SCAR
(backpedaling)
Truth? Truth is in the eye of the behold...

Simba tightens his grasp, nearly choking Scar --

who GASPS.

SIMBA
Tell them.

SCAR
(quietly)
I did it.
 03/12/03 p. 96

SIMBA
So they can hear you.

SCAR
(calling)
I killed Mufasa!

Scar swipes at Simba and escapes. The hyenas and

lionesses begin to fight.

A banner in the shape of Pride Rock enters and

moves around the stage revealing:

Simba fighting off hyenas. Simba and Scar

fighting with swords and cane.

Shadow puppets appear on the banner.

Nala fights off some hyenas.

Zazu is chased by a hyena, but Rafiki intercepts

him and fights him with her stick.

RAFIKI
(Ninja-esque)
Yaaaaaa-eeeeeee!!!

Pumbaa and Timon fight off some hyenas.

Simba pursues Scar up the mountain, toward the

summit of Pride Rock, where he confronts Scar.

SIMBA
Murderer!

SCAR
Have mercy. Please. I beg you.

Scar cowers at the edge of the summit. Simba

stalks him with his swords out. Unseen by both
Scar and Simba, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, hide,
listening.

SIMBA
You don't deserve to live.

SCAR
But, Simba -- I am family. It is the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was
their fault. It was their idea.

The hyenas react to Scar's sell-out. Simba moves

towards Scar.
 03/12/03 p. 97

SCAR
You wouldn't kill your old uncle, would you?

SIMBA
No, Scar. I'm not like you.

SCAR
Oh, Simba, thank you. I'll make it up to you. I promise. How can I prove
myself to you? Tell me? Anything.

Scar's old advice to Simba resonates:

SIMBA
Run. Run away, Scar. Run away and never return.

SCAR
Yes. Of course. As you wish... Your... Majesty.

Scar swings his cane at Simba. They scuffle. As

Scar flips over the side of the summit, landing at
the foot of Pride Rock, Simba exits.

A battered Scar is surrounded by Shenzi, Banzai

and Ed.

SCAR
Ah, my friends help me...

SHENZI
Friends? Friends?
(to Banzai)
I thought he said we were the enemy.

BANZAI
Yeah. That's what I heard.

SHENZI/BANZAI
(turning to Ed)
Ed???

Ed laughs maniacally. The hyenas attack Scar while

he pleads:

SCAR
No! Let me explain!
 03/12/03 p. 98

Scene 24: Circle of Life

Simba emerges as the dawn breaks. Nala comes

forward. Sarabi, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu come
forward.

Zazu bows.

ZAZU
Your Majesty...

Simba greets them all and they bow to him.

Rafiki enters with a mantle. She embraces Simba,

and places the mantle on his shoulders.

RAFIKI
It is time.

Rafiki gestures to Pride Rock. Simba acknowledges

Sarabi as he climbs. When he reaches the
promontory, he looks up at the sky.

KING OF PRIDE ROCK/CIRCLE OF LIFE (REPRISE)

CHORUS
NDABE ZITHA King of kings
NKOSI YETHU Our King
MHOLI WEZWE LETHU Ruler of our land
LE FATSEE LA BONTATA RONA This land of our ancestors
LEEAH HALALEYLAH Is Holy

MUFASA (O.S.)
Remember...

Simba Rrrrr! Lionesses ROAR in response.

From the four corners of the theatre, herds of

animals arrive.

CHORUS
BUSA LE LIZWEBO Rule this land
BUSA LE LIZWEBO Rule this land
BUSA LE LIZWEBO Rule this land
LETHU BUSA NGO XOLO Rule with peace

IS’KHATHI SIFIKILE The time has come

IS’KHATHI BUSA IYO It’s time, rule
IS’KHATHI SIFIKILE The time has come
BUSA LOMHLABA Rule this land

CHORUS
IS’KHATHI SIFIKILE The time has come
IS’KHATHI SIFIKILE The time has come
BUSA SIMBA Rule Simba
BUSA SIMBA Rule Simba
 03/12/03 p. 99

CHORUS
HEM NA IYO
HEM NA IYO
HEM NA NKOSI BO Ah King of Kings
BUSA SIMBA IYO Rule Simba

OH BUSA SIMBA IYO Oh, rule Simba

OH BUSA NKOSI BO Ah, King of Kings
OH BUSA SIMBA IYO Oh, rule Simba
BUSA SIMBA IYO Rule Simba

UBUSE NGO THANDO Rule with love

UBUSE NGO THANDO Rule with love
UBUSE NGO XOLO Rule with peace
BUSA SIMBA BUSA SIMBA Rule Simba, rule Simba

UBUSE NGO XOLO Rule with peace

UBUSE NGO THANDO Rule with love
UBUSE NGO XOLO Rule with peace
UBUSE NGO THANDO Rule with love
UBUSE NGO XOLO Rule with peace

Nala joins Simba atop Pride Rock. Rafiki joins

them for the presentation of their newborn cub.

Rafiki holds up the newborn cub for all to see.

The dancing, exuberant animal chorus sings.

CHORUS
IT’S THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
AND IT MOVES US ALL
THROUGH DESPAIR AND HOPE
THROUGH FAITH AND LOVE
TIL WE FIND OUR PLACE
ON THE PATH UNWINDING
IN THE CIRCLE
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
CIRCLE OF LIFE

End of Act Two

Curtain