The Lion King welcomes four young actors to the company

Walt Disney's Broadway production of The Lion King welcomes Alphonso Romero Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez as 'Young Simba,' and Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez as 'Young Nala to the company.

Rodriguez and Pimentel made their Broadway debuts on 29 Sep 2009. Tavarez will make her Broadway debut on 30 Sep 2009 and Jones will make his Broadway debut on 1 Oct 2009.

Alphonso Romero Jones II, 10, is a native of Trenton, New Jersey. He made his NY stage debut last year in 'A Christmas Carol.' He trains with Calvary Dance Academy and is an avid drummer.


Marquis Kofi Rodriguez, 11, attends Tompkins Square Middle School in the East Village. He recently played 'Young Simba' in the national tour of The Lion King (Gazelle company). Other credits include 'Law & Order: SVU' and the upcoming film, 'Phoebe in Wonderland.'

Shereen Pimentel, 10, has attended The Ailey School for dance since the age of four. Other credits include the Kidz Theater�s productions of Ragtime and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Shannon Skye Tavarez, 10, is an honor student at PS 176 in Queens, NY. Shannon attended the Harlem School of Arts and is currently studying at The American Dance and Drama Studio in Flushing.

The Lion King opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 13 Nov 1997, following previews from 15 Oct. On the 13 Jun 2006 the musical moved to the Minskoff Theatre.

The musical tells the story of the epic adventures of a young lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king.

Directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, The Lion King now features Derek Smith (Scar), Nathaniel Stampley (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Cameron Pow (Zazu), Ben Lipitz (Pumbaa), Danny Rutigliano (Timon), Dashaun Young (Simba), Ta'Rea Campbell (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed), Alphonso Romero Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez (Young Simba), and Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez (Young Nala).

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

The Lion King has book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, music by Elton John, with additional music by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin, and lyrics by Tim Rice.

The creative team for The Lion King features Richard Hudson (sets), Michael Curry (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting) and Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound).

The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is the 9th longest-running musical on Broadway, surpassing the record previously held by 'Miss Saigon.'