Hakuna Matata

Lion King cast performs to raise money for Food and Friends

The lion might sleep in ''the mighty jungle,'' but at American University's Greenberg Theater, on Monday, Aug. 11, the lion will be rocking to the sounds of the '80s.

The Lion King at Kennedy Center

The Lion Rocks Tonight, a benefit show featuring cast members from Disney's The Lion King, currently playing at the Kennedy Center through Aug. 24, is about ''giving back,'' says Ben Lipitz. Lipitz, who plays Pumbaa in The Lion King, serves as producer of The Lion Rocks Tonight. He describes the show as a ''fun, light-hearted, cheesy-themed song cabaret'' featuring hits from the '80s.

''Not only is it going to be a lot of fun,'' he says, ''but it benefits some really wonderful charities both nationally and locally.''

The show's beneficiaries are Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and D.C.-based Food & Friends.

Lipitz says that while tickets for The Lion King have been hard to get, The Lion Rocks Tonight provides locals another chance to see cast members perform.

''This may not be The Lion King, but it's all of us who perform it doing stuff that we genuinely love, letting our hair down and having a great time.''

The Lion Rocks Tonight takes place on Monday, Aug. 11, at 7:30 p.m., at American University's Greenberg Theatre, 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Tickets are $25; $50 with reception. Call 202-885-2587 or visit www.american.tix.com.