HARLINGEN — Scar grumbled and griped in a thick accent, his back and shoulders moving with an arthritic sharpness, frightening in their severity.
He pretends to “counsel” the young Simba in Harlingen High School South’s production of “The Lion King.” Young Simba, played by Jaime Salinas and Haylie Castillo, is naively ambitious and trusting of his uncle.
“Hey, Uncle Scar! Guess what? I’m gonna be king of Pride Rock,” declares Young Simba.
“Oh, goodie,” answers Scar condescendingly. Scar, played by Christian Ingram, shines bright in orange leggings with black zig-zags.
“Well,” he continues. “Forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.”
The students are in their final rehearsals for “The Lion King,” which opens Thursday at the Harlingen Performing Arts Center on Wilson Road. The theater department at Harlingen South is producing the popular musical. Instructor Lee Ann Ince says it’s the biggest production ever by the department.
Preparing for the role of Scar has presented a significant challenge, said Christian, 17, a junior.
“When I auditioned for Scar I did not really think I would have much of a chance of getting the role of the evil person that he is,” Christian said. “When I sang for him and I practiced his voice they saw it in me.”
To many people, body movements wouldn’t seem to be that much of a struggle. But they haven’t seen Scar.
“The most difficult part is his physicality in the head and shoulders, the way he moves his shoulders,” Christian said.
It was hard enough without the costume.
“Now that I’m in costume I have to rethink the movements of the neck and shoulders,” he said.
Playing the older Simba has been a delight for James Gracia, 16.
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