Spotlight on 'The Lion King' with Pearl Khwezi

As part of a series showcasing long-running Broadway shows, we speak to the actress who's occupied multiple places in the circle of life at the Minskoff Theatre.

Summary

• The Lion King star Pearl Khwezi reflects on the musical's staying power
• Khwezi made her Broadway debut in the show's ensemble and now stars as Nala
• The Lion King won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Musical and is now the third-longest-running Broadway show of all time

The circle of life moves us all: through despair and hope, through faith and love, through ensembles and lead roles. That's the case for Pearl Khwezi, who made her Broadway debut in Disney's The Lion King's ensemble in 2018 and ascended to the role of Nala in 2022.

Three years after the 1994 animated film came out, the musical adaptation roared onto Broadway. The story of Simba, a young lion who must reclaim his rightful place as king of the Pridelands, was already beloved thanks in part to Elton John and Tim Rice's songs, like "Circle of Life," "Hakuna Matata," and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," Simba and Nala's Oscar- and Grammy-winning duet. But director Julie Taymor's inventive stagecraft made her the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and propelled The Lion King to win Best Musical.

Over 25 years later, The Lion King has become the third-longest-running show in Broadway history, which Khwezi attributes to its evergreen themes, authenticity to African culture, and multigenerational appeal. She reflected more on the musical's staying power below.

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Why do you think this show has lasted so long on Broadway?

Love, family, loss, redemption: These are themes we can all relate to. [...] People see the show at different points in their personal “circle of life,” and it remains relevant.

The music is also very impactful and will always be relevant because it’s taken from real culture; it’s performed authentically in a way that stays true to the African culture that it comes from.

What is the best audience reaction you have seen to the show?

The best audience reaction I’ve seen has to be seeing grown men and children all crying during the opening number. The sheer joy and awe in the audience as the animals come down the aisle is something that one can never take for granted.

What is your favorite moment in the show?

I may be biased, but my favorite moment in the show has to be "Shadowland" in the second act, when the women see Nala off on her journey. It’s the only moment in the show where all the women are gathered on stage at the same time to bless this young woman and say goodbye.

It feels different every night because sometimes we will be doing a final performance with an actor or even the first. Either way, the women gather up into a family portrait, and when I turn around to look at them, it feels a little like a family meeting or reunion. I love it and I love them so much.

What is a little-known secret about performing in the show?

This show includes moments that we create with each other between scenes backstage. Whether it’s people in the cast, crew, hair/makeup departments, everyone has their own way of participating. The culture we have backstage could be its own show. We take time to check in on each other, make jokes, have random handshakes, inside jokes. We also celebrate each other’s milestones and birthdays. There’s a true sense of family that goes on behind the scenes.

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

I’d hope that audiences take that feeling of awe, excitement, and appreciation of live theatre away with them and be motivated to see more shows or even be inspired to be in the show of their dreams.

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Photo credit: The Lion King on Broadway. (Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)