By Zach Johnson
The Broadway cast of The Lion King began rehearsals this week for the company’s highly anticipated reopening on Tuesday, September 14, at the famed Minskoff Theatre. And today, our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions shared a special look at the company’s first day back together, which began with remarks by The Lion King’s Tony Award®-winning director, Disney Legend Julie Taymor, before the cast’s deeply moving first sing-thru of the show’s iconic opening number, “The Circle of Life,” led by Tshidi Manye as Rafiki.
In addition to Manye, the Broadway cast of the The Lion King includes Stephen Carlile as Scar, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Brandon A. McCall as Simba, Adrienne Walker as Nala, James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi, and Robb Sapp as Ed. Vince Ermita and Corey J. alternate as Young Simba, and Alayna Martus and Sydney Elise Russell alternate as Young Nala.
The Lion King company also features Lawrence Keith Alexander, Cameron Amandus, Leanne Antonio, Andrew Arrington, India Bolds Browne, Lindiwe Dlamini, Zinhle Dube, Bongi Duma, Angelica Edwards, Jim Ferris, Rosie Lani Feldman, Daniel Gaymon, Pia Hamilton, Daniel Harder, Michael Alexander Henry, Michael Hollick, Pearl Khwezi, Lindsey Jackson, Lisa Lewis, Mduduzi Madela, Jaysin McCollum, Ray Mercer, S’bu Ngema, Nhlanhla Ngobeni, Nteliseng Nkhela, Jacqueline René, Kaylin Seckel, Kellen Stencil, Housso Semon, Derrick Spear, Michael Stiggers Jr., Jamie J. Thompson, Bravita Threatt, Natalie Turner, Donna Michelle Vaughan, Nicholas Ward, and Stephen Scott Wormley.
Approaching 24 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere in 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by nearly 110 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years and four others running 20 or more years.
Visit Disney on Broadway to purchase tickets for The Lion King now.