ELGIN — Re-creating Disney’s epic “The Lion King” requires a cast of epic proportions.

Elgin Opera House Executive Director Terry Hale said this summer’s productions of “The Lion King JR” features a cast of more than 100 young actors.

“Each week we have roughly 109 kids,” Hale said. “It’s really fun to have so many kids interested in improving their acting.”

The actors range from ages 6 to 18. About 50 of the young actors are part of the core ensemble and core cast, which have been rehearsing for weeks. During the two weeks of summer camp, they will be joined by 50 additional campers. All will have the opportunity to perform on stage.

The core cast features a mix of actors experienced with the Elgin Opera House and those appearing on the Opera House stage for the first time. One of those making their Elgin debut is Justin Wolfe, who plays adult Simba.

Wolfe has been acting at the Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre and Baker High School since he was 8 years old. Audiences may recognize him as Colonel Mustard in Baker High School’s recent performance of “Clue.” He said he has really enjoyed working at the Elgin Opera House.

“I grew up seeing shows here,” Wolfe said, encouraging people to come see the performance. “The costumes are really good, the set is really good, and everyone is wonderful. It’s also a really fun show to come watch for kids, for parents for grandparents, so for any age.”

In addition to Simba, the show is full of other familiar characters like Zazu (Rose Gray), Nala (Fern McConnell), Timon (Bella Estrada) and Pumbaa (Anna Buckley).

CeCe Curry plays Rafiki.

“Rafiki is a spiritual leader for a lot of other people in the show, and he’s also like a storyteller. I kind of get to narrate the story for the other characters and what’s going on around me,” she said. “People should come see the show because it’s amazing, the cast is amazing, and it definitely captures that on stage. I think it really is a great show.”

For some actors, “The Lion King JR” is allowing for a different type of performance. Last year, Joey Hale played the comical Oaken in “Frozen Jr.,” and this summer, he portrays Simba’s father, Mufasa. He said playing a father role has been fun.

“I usually play character roles, so this has been a good show for me to step out of my comfort zone and take a more serious role,” he said.

Joey Hale said people should come see the show to support all the young actors and because they’ll enjoy it.

“I’ve been doing shows here at the Opera House for 12 years, and the summer shows are the most fun in my opinion,” he said. “It will truly be something people won’t want to miss.”

Like Joey Hale, Vander Stucki also appeared in last year’s “Frozen Jr.” and is playing a very different role this year. Stucki was the honorable Kristoff in “Frozen Jr.” and is now the evil villain, Simba’s Uncle Scar, in “The Lion King JR.”

“It’s hard,” Stucki said. “I try to be a really good person in real life, so playing this role is almost like throwing all my morals out the window. It’s really hard to get into a character that you despise. It’s hard but fun.”

“The Lion King JR” opens July 26 at the Elgin Opera House. Showtimes are 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. July 26, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. July 27, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Aug. 2 and 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 3.

Tickets range from $8-15 and are available at www.elginoperahouse.com