Orlando youngster Julian Villela is traveling the country as Simba in “The Lion King,” which soon will play Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center.

In the original film, Simba was tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King.

When the curtains opened on stage at Musson Elementary, the students in “The Lion King Kids” were ready to shine before a sold-out crowd.