The Lion King' announces full cast for Broadway reopening
The Disney musical continues roaring on Broadway.
The circle of life is being filled in once more, as the full cast for The Lion King's Broadway reopening has been named. The Lion King is at the Minskoff Theatre from September 14, and The Lion King tickets are on sale now.
Brandon A. McCAll will make his Broadway debut as Simba, reprising the role after starring in the tour. Many of the lead cast members will be returning to The Lion King, including L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Adrienne Walker as Nala, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Stephen Carlile as Scar, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa and Fred Berman as Timon. Cameron Pow will now take over the role of Zazu, with James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi and Robb Sapp as Ed.
The Lion King ensemble is completed by 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.
Vince Ermita and Corey J. will share the role of Young Simba, while Alayna Martus and Sydney Elise Russell share the role of Young Nala.
Since opening on Broadway in 1997, the Disney musical The Lion King has enjoyed a continous run of over two decades and is the third longest-running musical on Broadway. The Lion King tells the story of Simba as he becomes King of the Pride Lands, set to an iconic score including "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Hakuna Matata."
In a review of the 20th anniversary of The Lion King for New York Theatre Guide, Kyle Wrentz said: "The Lion King is still a timeless piece of artistry and magical allure... In such a time of turmoil and discourse, it is lovely to get lost in this iconic piece and be inspired by all the cultures and individuals who continue to come together to make the entrancing musical still shine so radiantly today."
The Lion King features direction and costume design by Julie Taymor and choreography by Garth Fagan. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson, with mask design by Taymor and Michael Curry.
The Lion King is at the Minskoff Theatre from September 14.
The Lion King tickets are on sale now.
Photo credit: The Lion King (Photo by Joan Marcus)
Frequently asked questions
What is The Lion King about?
Based on the animated Disney classic, The Lion King features hit Elton John songs like "Circle of Life," "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" Witness the story of a lion cub following in his father's royal footsteps, brought to life with awe-inspiring puppetry evocative of the African savannah. Learn more about tickets to the six-time Tony-winning Best Musical.
Where is The Lion King playing?
The Lion King is playing at Minskoff Theatre. The theatre is located at 200 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
How long is The Lion King?
The running time of The Lion King is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 intermission.
What's the age requirement for The Lion King?
The recommended age for The Lion King is Ages 6+..
How do you book tickets for The Lion King?
Book tickets for The Lion King on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote The Lion King?
The Lion King features music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. The script is by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, who adapted it from the Disney film's screenplay by Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton.
What songs are in The Lion King on Broadway?
The Lion King's songs include all the film favorites, such as "The Circle of Life," "Be Prepared," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." There are also multiple songs written specifically for the musical. Learn more about all the songs in The Lion King on Broadway.
Is The Lion King appropriate for kids?
The Lion King is recommended for ages 6 and up. Like the movie, the musical's content is appropriate for all ages, but very young children might get restless due to the show's length. Please note that children 4 and younger are not permitted in Broadway theatres.
When did The Lion King open on Broadway?
The Lion King opened in October 1997. The musical is now the third-longest-running Broadway show of all time.
Who directed The Lion King on Broadway?
Julie Taymor directs The Lion King on Broadway. She won two Tony Awards for her work, which included designing the show's unique puppets.
Is The Lion King on Broadway different from the movie?
The Lion King musical is mostly the same as the movie. The plot is the same, but the musical features multiple additional songs beyond the ones from the film. Additionally, one of the main characters, Rafiki, is a female character, whereas the character was male in the film.
Is The Lion King good?
The Lion King has been running for 25 years and counting and is among the best-reviewed shows on New York Theatre Guide. Our five-star 20th-anniversary review reads, "The Lion King continues to be a wonderful evening at the theatre. You will laugh, cry and marvel at all the beauty around."
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