Posts Tagged ‘Lion King Broadway Cast News’
Lion King Broadway Cast Update – Jeffrey Kuhn and Tshidi Manye Join the Company
Disney’s The Lion King Broadway welcomes Jeffrey Kuhn, in the role of Zazu, and Tshidi Manye, who rejoins the production as Rafiki.
Jeffrey Kuhn makes his Lion King debut as the prim and proper hornbilled bird, Zazu. Jeffrey Kuhn has been seen in the Broadway productions of The 39 Steps, Spamalot, Wicked, Assassins, Ragtime, and Off-Broadway in John Guare’s 3 Kinds of Exile (Atlantic). Kuhn’s regional credits include An Enemy of the People (Centerstage), Next Fall (St. Louis Rep), Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre), Sea of Tranquility (Old Globe), Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Antony & Cleopatra and many others (Stratford Festival), Barrington, Alliance, Pittsburgh Public, and Cincinnati Playhouse. Tour: The Who’s Tommy.
Tshidi Manye, Broadway’s longest-running Rafiki, returns to the Broadway production, having recently spent four months playing the role to critical acclaim on the North American Tour. Tshidi Manye toured Europe and Japan with M. Bongeni Ngema in the hit musical Sarafina. She made her Broadway debut in The Lion King in 2004. Other stage credits include Rafiki in the Toronto production, Daughter of Nebo by Hillary Bletcher, Mfowethu by Gibson Kente, and The Stick by Aubrey Sekhabi. Manye is honored to have performed with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, David Byrne, Hugh Masekela, Jabu Khanyile, and Vusi Mahlasela. Albums: Sisters of Joy, Wildflower.
The Lion King musical is the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been seen by more than 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 104 years.
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Lion King Broadway Company Welcomes Aaron Nelson to Play Simba
The fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, Lion King Broadway Company Welcomes Aaron Nelson to Play Simba starting from Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at Minskoff Theatre.
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Aaron Nelson is the first Simba since Jason Raize created the role nearly sixteen years ago to play Broadway without having previously been a member of another Lion King company.
Aaron Nelson is making his Broadway debut as a brand new member to The Lion King family. A proud Chicagoan, Aaron received his BA in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. His regional theater credits include columbinus 2.0 (American Theater Company), Rent (American Theater Company), and Dreamgirls (Theater 47). He made his television debut as “Kyle” in NBC’s “Chicago Fire.”
In its 16th year, The Lion King remains ascendant; it is the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been seen by more than 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 104 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years.
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Andile Gumbi Joins The Lion King Broadway Cast as Simba
The Lion King Broadway Musical welcomes Andile Gumbi as the newest Simba on August 28, 2012. Though Gumbi is making his Broadway debut, he has played the role of Simba in four different countries and has been the face of The Lion King in advertisements throughout the world. The Lion King is a standing production at the Minskoff Theatre.
Andile Gumbi joins the New York company of The Lion King. Gumbi has also performed the role of Simba in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Shanghai and South Africa. A South African native, his other theatrical credits include Dance Through Me, Nkonyeni High and Ntsikana. His screen credits include Australian’s Good Friday Appeal and Carols By Candlelight.
Based on the popular Disney film, The Lion King opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theater, before transferring to the Minskoff in 2006. Now in its 15th year, the show has spawned 19 productions around the world and has been translated into seven different languages. The Lion King is the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history and won six Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Musical. Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in history to win the Tony for Best Direction of a Musical.
The Lion King currently stars Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon and Syndee Winters as Nala.
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Lion King’s Young Simba Judah Bellamy in Broadway
Judah Bellamy who plays young Simba in the Broadway production of “The Lion King,” in front of the Minskoff Theatre in Times Square, Manhattan.
When Judah was 6, he announced he would play Simba one day on Broadway. With Judah’s father, Bellamy being a writer in Baltimore, and his mother a day care provider, the dream was brushed off as a childish fantasy.
The Bellamys were so profoundly impacted by the rich African culture embedded in the show that Bernita played “The Lion King songs” to her belly in 1999 when she was pregnant with her first born, Judah Bellamy—who now plays Simba on Broadway.
“None of us can sing. It is just not a part of our make up. I’d probably be less surprised if they told me he could move objects with his mind,” his father said. But not only could Judah sing, he also memorized the entire “The Lion King” script by age 5. He then moved on to memorizing the Danish and German versions. His father could no longer ignore Judah’s wish when he turned 9, and began taking him to “Lion King” auditions.
Without ever taking a single singing or acting lesson, Judah left for his trip to New York. As a 4’3” 9-year-old, he walked into the large auditioning room, getting lost among 50 Simba hopefuls who were at least 3 inches taller than him. To the judges’ surprise, the most regal, resounding voice bustled from the little body. But it was more than the voice that captured the directors’ attention; it was Judah’s passion for ” The Lion King” scenes, his striking familiarity and natural ease with the script, and his compelling bearing as Simba. There was one small problem. He was too short for the role. Over the next two years, Judah was invited to audition five times. Although he was rejected each time, Judah held firmly to his dream.
“I’m going back to get it, at no time did I think I wasn’t going to get it,” he said. He got the auspicious phone call at age 11. Although his dream finally came to fruition, strangely, at such a young age, Judah’s excitement did not affect his rationale. “I ate dinner… I went to bed, because, you know, I wouldn’t really do anything until a month later,” Judah said.
Judah’s first four weeks on Broadway consisted strictly of trainings, with zero break days. But that did not stop Judah from being “a big ball of energy,” his father recalled.
Even today, at age 13, “The Lion King” is still Judah’s favorite movie. He continues to sing “Into the Night” in the shower, which happens to be his favorite scene—where Simba meets his father’s spirit in the starry sky.
Judah aspires to be a screenwriter, director, and film actor after his Simba days are over. He recently completed an independent film with Jono Oliver, an award-winning director. The film, called “Home,” is about the complex relationship between a mentally ill father and his young son. The director was originally looking for younger actors for the role of the son, but out of an array of actors, Judah was chosen for his “nuance” in the difficult role, his father said.
Although Judah has had a string of luck in his acting career, in his father’s eyes, the most important thing Judah has learned is having compassion and love for others.
Read the complete story {Via TheEpochTimes.com}
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Syndee Winters Joining Lion King Broadway as Royal Lioness Nala
Syndee Winters will join the Lion King Broadway as Nala, beginning performances Friday, June 1. Syndee Winters will make her Broadway debut in Disney’s Tony-winning musical The Lion King from tomorrow. Winters, not new to the Lion King – has played the role on tour and currently in Miami, FL. She will take over for current star Chauntee Schuler. Winters will continue with the production through August 26.
Winters joins current Lion King Broadway cast members Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Dashaun Young as Simba, Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa and Fred Berman as Timon.
Lion King musical is all about the noble lion king Mufasa sacrifices his own life to save his headstrong young son Simba. Mufasa’s evil brother Scar commits fratricide and rules over a dying kingdom. Young love blossoms when Simba reencounters his boyhood friend Nala, then finds the brave purpose that would make his late father proud. Lion King musical glows with a hopeful ending and many moments of beauty, joy and the celebration of life.
In addition to performing the role of Nala in The Lion King’s North American tour, Winters worked as a New York Knicks City Dancer, performing with Rihanna and Jordin Sparks. She was also the in-house anthem singer for Madison Square Garden.
Based on the popular Disney film, The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, before transferring to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006. Now in its 15th year, the show has spawned 19 productions around the world and has been translated into seven different languages. The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.
The Lion King is a standing production at the Minskoff Theater New York. Buy Lion King Minskoff Theatre Tickets online today for the best seat locations at the best prices.
Broadway’s The Lion King Welcomes Back Dashaun Young as Simba
The Lion King will welcome Dashaun Young back to Broadway as Simba. Dashaun Young returns as the King of Pride Rock in Broadway’s The Lion King beginning May 16.
Young has previously played the role of Simba on Broadway, North American tour, and most recently in the Las Vegas company. Young will assume the role from current Simba, Adam Jacobs, who is taking a brief hiatus but plans to return to the Tony-winning production on June 26.
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, The Lion King is playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street).
In addition to The Lion King, Young has appeared in New York and on tour in: Hairspray (first national tour), Legends (NY premiere), The Scottsboro Boys (reading), Emerald Man (workshop). His regional credits include: Hairspray; Hello, Dolly!; Aida; and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He appeared in the film Sex and the City 2 and received training at California State University, Fullerton.
Young joins current cast members Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Patrick R. Brown as the sardonic and deviously cunning Scar, Tshidi Manye as the wise baboon shaman Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as the carefree warthog Pumbaa, Fred Berman as the wisecracking meerkat Timon and Chauntee Schuler as the loyal lioness Nala.
The three evil hyenas are played by James Brown-ORLEANS (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi) and Enrique Segura (Ed). The role of Young Simba is alternated between Judah Bellamy and Niles Fitch and the role of Young Nala is alternated between NIA ASHLEIGH and Imani Dia Smith.
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Lion King Broadway’s New Simba is Adam Jacobs Starting August 29, 2011
Adam Jacobs who played as Simba on the National Tour of Lion King, is now resumed the same role in Lion King Broadway beginning performances the week of August 29. Jacobs, who most recently starred in the title role of the world premiere of Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, previously played the role of Simba on national tour. The Current Simba, Clifton Oliver played his final performance on Friday, August 26. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Lion King is playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street).
Adam Jacobs has previously appeared on Broadway as Marius in Les Miserables. His national touring credits include The Lion King (Simba), Mamma Mia! (Sky), Les Miserables (Marius) and Cinderella (Prince). Adam’s favorite regional theatre credits include the 5th Avenue Theatre’s world premiere of Aladdin (Aladdin) directed by Casey Nicholaw, Marriott Theater’s Hot Mikado (Nanki-poo) and SF Opera’s Harvey Milk (Young Harvey).
The Broadway cast of The Lion King also features Gareth Saxe as the sardonic and deviously cunning Scar, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands, and Tshidi Manye as the wise baboon shaman Rafiki.
As it approaches its 15th year, The Lion King remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only five productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more, both on Broadway and in the West End.
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Judah Bellamy and Shaylin Becton Join The Lion King Broadway Cast
Produced by Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions, The Lion King is currently playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). Broadway’s landmark musical event The Lion King is pleased to welcome Judah Bellamy as “Young Simba” and Shaylin Becton as “Young Nala” to the company. Bellamy and Becton made their Broadway debuts last night. They alternate with fellow young lions and current cast members Alphonso Romero Jones II (Young Simba) and Khail Toi Bryant (Young Nala).
Bellamy and Becton began performances on March 29 at the Minskoff Theatre. The Lion King marks the Broadway debut for both performers.
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.
Judah Bellamy and Shaylin Becton are the newest Young Stars in The Lion King Broadway Cast. The Lion King opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 13, 1997. The production received six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and moved to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006.
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