Simba visits St. Joe's

Newton — Broadway actor Jelani Remy, currently starring as Simba in The Lion King, came to Newton on April 8 to visit the St. Joseph Regional School drama club. He led a session of physical and vocal warmups, then shared expert advice as the cast performed a run-through of High School Musical, Jr. Remy has a real connection with the show. Before The Lion King he spent 19 months playing Chad in the touring company of High School Musical.
Remy came to SJRS at the invitation of music teacher Mike Yesenosky, who musically directed and accompanied the rising star when he was in high school and college. Principal Patricia Klebez gave approval for "Mr. Y" and drama club co-director Julie Kimble to hold the extra Friday rehearsal, and to start it earlier in the day so Remy could make it back to NYC in time for his 8 p.m. performance. St. Joseph Regional School is closing and its drama club is presenting their very last show, High School Musical, Jr., on Friday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16. Both shows are at 7 p.m. The school is at 20 Jefferson Street in Newton.
St. Joseph's is scheduled to close its doors by the end of the next school year and merge with three other Catholic elementary schools in a new school on the campus of Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta.