Broadway actor Ben Jeffrey, who played Pumbaa in Disney’s “The Lion King,” will be in Farmville for a one-night free event Friday at 7 p.m. in Longwood’s Wygal Auditorium.

Jeffrey will sing a repertoire of musical theatre songs from such hits as “Carousel,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Follies,” “The Secret Garden” and “Man of la Mancha” with the help of Longwood University faculty members Chris Swanson, Fran Coleman and Lacy Klinger and accompanied by Teri Kidd.

Jeffrey’s performance is part of the Rosemary Sprague Cultural Foundation at Longwood. 

Jeffrey will lead workshops for theatre education majors detailing the impact theatre teachers had on his career.

He will also be leading an acting/singing intensive for theatre majors, instructing them on a variety of acting techniques, including how to act a song.

Klinger, assistant professor of acting at Longwood, has been friends with Jeffrey since they met at the Mason Gross School of the Arts conservatory at Rutgers University, where both earned a master’s degree in acting.

“Ben is a natural-born teacher and an incredible talent,” Klinger said. “He is kind, funny and a joy to work with. The students are very fortunate to be able to work with someone of his caliber and expertise, and we are thrilled that he is able to share his talents with the community!”

A reception will follow in the Haga Room in Wygal Hall. Admission is free with general seating.