Posts Tagged ‘Lion King Minskoff Theater Tickets’
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.
Judah Bellamy in Lion King Broadway
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.
Judah Roars in Lion King
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.
Syndee Winters in The Lion King Musical, Joining Broadway
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.
