Thursday, January 29, 2004

By Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Not content just to prowl Julie Taymor's delicious African dreamscape in "The Lion King," Nala and some friends have been searching for something more in the urban jungle that is Pittsburgh.

	John Beale, Post-Gazette Lisa Nicole Wilkerson, who plays Nala in "The Lion King," rehearses at CAPA for a benefit concert Monday night.

Of course, Nala's human alter ego is Lisa Nicole Wilkerson, a member of a group of "Lion King" performers named On The 2 And 4. They will be staging a benefit concert, "Follow Me ... The Dance Project," Monday night at Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in its new facility on Ninth Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, just blocks from the Benedum Center, where "The Lion King" is being staged. CAPA and UMOJA African Arts Company will share in the proceeds.

"The Lion King" has been working for several New York City AIDS organizations during its two-year stint on the road.

"Certainly AIDS is a worthy cause," Wilkerson says. "But we wanted to try to find a grass-roots organization that helps largely youth, one that builds the artists of tomorrow."

With a little research on the Internet, On The 2 And 4 zeroed in on its Pittsburgh recipients. They knew they would have a tight schedule that centered around eight weekly performances, along with extra rehearsals to "clean and brush up the show to maintain its integrity."

The "Lion King" members have conducted workshops at CAPA, Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts and Schenley High School. Still, the group has found time to choreograph new numbers and rehearse with CAPA students for a big finale.

"Sometimes you just have to push through," Wilkerson says.

The dance ensemble comes from prominent companies like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Philadanco. Wilkerson hails from Chicago, where she performed with Joel Hall Dancers, Deeply Rooted and a number of industrial shows.

She landed the role of Nala shortly after she moved to New York, a "thrilling" development. It was a giant "learning curve not to be stationary and work with puppets" and develop her character.

But the upcoming benefit is a chance for people "to see us in a different light" -- without masks, grass headpieces, flotillas of gazelles or a stuffy hyena costume that requires great coordination.

	John Beale, Post-Gazette Students at the Creative and Performing Arts High School work on the choreography for Monday's benefit show.

Musicians from "The Lion King" will participate in the program, along with a group of South African cast members who will perform traditional dances. UMOJA Junior will perform a number from its repertoire.

"Lion King" dance captain James Brown III is working on an untitled jazz work, and company dancer Nellesa Walthour will offer a Latin-flavored "Tango-rine." Other company members are Lanette Costas, Bradye Lee and Cornelius Jones Jr. There will also be a few "Lion King" tickets and specially ordered merchandise and African art available for auction.

"It's therapeutic," says Wilkerson. "Most of us have a concert dance background and we're not used to doing the same thing every day. Even after hundreds of shows and striving to maintain that standard, this is something we love to do."

"Follow Me ... The Dance Project" will be presented at Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $10-20; 412-338-6107 or 412- 471-1121.

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