New York (AP) — A special ritual will take place behind the scenes of Broadway’s musical The Lion King during February.
On show day, four young actors, who play the lion cubs Simba and Nala, look for fellow actor Bonita J. Hamilton just before the curtain rises at the Minskoff Theater.
Of course, the young people learned their lines and choreography, but during Black History Month, they also tell Hamilton what they learned about black historical figures. It could include birthdays, the person’s greatest achievements, and some facts about their lives.
“February is my favorite month, because the kids, the Cubs, tell us about the history of the blacks,” said Hamilton, who plays hyena leader Shenzi on and off stage, with warm respect. Take care of the Cubs. “Every day in February, they bring me the facts of black history.”
Hamilton has led voluntary rituals for 17 years and children seem to enjoy the challenge. “It’s really fun to tell Miss Bonita my facts,” says Sydney Elise Russell, 10, who plays the young Nara.
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This month, the kids are Aretha Franklin, Shirley Chisholm, Whitney Houston, Billie Holiday, Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, Michael Jordan, George Washington Carver, Angela Davis, Ethel Waters, Maya Angelou. Honored Rowe, Muhammad Ali, Dorothy Height and Mabel Fairbanks. Above all.
“They are learning, I am learning.” I say, “You are teaching me something,” says Hamilton, a graduate of Alabama State University and Brandeis University. “You need to know who you are on your shoulders.”
Last Friday night, 12-year-old Vince Hermita, who plays Simba four times a week, asked Hamilton to share what he recently learned online about the musical icon Louis Armstrong.
“Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a jazz trumpet player and vocalist, and one of the most iconic figures he co-starred with was Ella Fitzgerald. It was Gerald, “Vince said without a note.
“His improvisation changed the jazz landscape. Some of his most famous songs were” What a Wonderful World, “” West End Blues, “and” Hello, Dolly! “. And he died on July 6, 1971. “
Vince apparently nailed the mission, and Hamilton shed light. But she asked a follow-up question: What was Armstrong’s nickname?
“Satchmo?” He replied.
“OK!” Hamilton shouted and slapped him.
Other young actors also provided their facts. 12-year-old Alayna Martus chose gymnast Dominique Dawes (nicknamed Awesome Dawesome), and Sydney chose writer and poet Phillis Wheatley Peters. Its most famous poem is “About being brought from Africa to America.”
Hamilton also asked a question when Sydney was over: Do you know the name of Peters’ first published book? Sydney didn’t, but he promised to return with an answer. He said, “Thank you for your hard work, Circle Back. Thank you. I learned something today.”
Behind-the-scenes February ceremonies, under Hamilton’s charismatic leadership, have had a lasting impact on generations of actors in and out of the show. This year, several former kid alumni of The Lion King, led by Caleb McLaughlin of the Netflix series Stranger Things, gathered. Make Hamilton videos, each submitting February black history figures.
Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, home to a family-sponsored civil rights movement, Hamilton began the tradition after coming to The Lion King and asking the young co-stars of the time about the meaning of February.
“One day, very casually, I said,’Black History Month, everyone. Let’s talk about it. What do you know about Black History Month?” And they said, “Martin Luther. “King and Rosa Parks”, shake your head and recall. “There is much more in our history.”
Hamilton confused it a bit this year, picking the names of several black heroes from South Africa and putting them in cups for the Cubs to choose: Chris Hani, Steve Biko, Manfera Lanfere, Ziezi Masinini, etc. .. The “Lion King” is set in South Africa after all.
“They are very proud of me. It’s like a game. It’s not homework. Learning can be fun,” she says.
This is a ritual suitable for a show where Africa is celebrated and six indigenous languages of Swahili, Zulu, Xhosa, Sesotho, Tswana and Kongo are sung and spoken.
“‘The Lion King’ It is infused with ritual traditions and tribal stuff. Even the fabrics worn at the show have tribal markings, masks and make-up. Everything is a tribe, “says Hamilton.
The ceremony clearly respects the renewed legacy of greatness, as gymnast Simone Biles can testify, but also teaches children to respect the way they came here. increase.
“They need to know that there were times when we weren’t allowed to play on stage, or when we couldn’t get into the front door of the theater,” Hamilton said. say.
“It’s an honor to be able to share your gift on the biggest stage in the world, and that’s what I’m trying to plant in them because we couldn’t always do it.”
Follow AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy on Twitter. http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Copyright 2022 AP communication. all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Inside the Special Black History Month Ritual at The Lion King | Lifestyle
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