The Lion King welcomes two young actors

Young actors Judah Bellamy as 'Young Simba' and Shaylin Becton as 'Young Nala,' joined the cast of Walt Disney's Broadway production of The Lion King on 29 Mar 2011. They assume the roles from Joshua J. Jackson and Jade Milan.

The duo will alternate their roles with current cast members Alphonso Romero Jones II (Young Simba) and Khail Toi Bryant (Young Nala).

Judah Bellamy, 11, is a Baltimore native and has performed with Johns Hopkins' Unified Voices Choir and starred in 'The Wiz' and 'A Raisin in the Sun' at the Cahill Theatrical Arts Center in Maryland.

Shaylin Becton, 9, is a Maywood, Illinois native and began singing and dancing at an early age.

They join existing cast members Gareth Saxe (Scar), Alton Fitzgerald White (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Cameron Pow (Zazu), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Timon), Dashaun Young (Simba), Chauntee Schuler (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi) and Enrique Segura (Ed).

The musical, directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, 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.

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 8th longest-running musical on Broadway, surpassing the record previously held by 'Rent.'