Posts Tagged ‘Lion King Musical Tour 2012’
The Lion King Touring Company’s Mufasa is Dionne Randolph through 2013
Dionne Randolph is Mufasa in the Broadway touring company of The Lion King Musical. Randolph recently signed a new contract that will keep him in the lion mask through 2013. Dionne Randolph, 39, a nine-year company veteran plays Mufasa in the Lion King Touring team.
Dionne Randolph in the Lion Mask as Mufasa - Lion King Musical
Randolph, in fact, was just about to sign a new contract for the theme-park show when he got the call from The Lion King tour; he originally understudied Mufasa before taking on the role full time six years ago.
He got into performing accidentally. He was studying aeronautical engineering at Morehouse College in Atlanta when he participated in Disney’s college-worker program. A show producer heard him talking in the “tunnels” under the Magic Kingdom and asked him to record some voice-overs. That led to a job as the voice of Disney’s Star Wars Weekends and a gig on the resort’s radio station. A Busch Gardens casting director heard him singing on the radio, which led to a job in that theme park, as well as cruise-ship and regional-theater work before returning to Disney.
“Every six months for me, it’s a new show,” he says. That’s because the bulk of Mufasa’s stage time is spent with children portraying young Simba, and the child actors frequently switch as they outgrow the part. “Those boys are hilarious,” says Randolph, “They bring a new energy for me.” “It shows the power of imagination. That’s the key to ‘The Lion King.’ That’s why people love ‘The Lion King,'” he says.”It’s the circle of life … that’s what we do.”
Lion King is currently performing at Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans LA through April 15, 2012. From here it moves to the Dionne Randolph’s home town Orlando Florida – Schedule (April 17 to May 13, 2012). Get $10 OFF on Lion King Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre Tickets Orders over $350! Use Code #SpringSavings at Checkout.
The Lion King becomes Highest Grossing Show at the Landmark Theatre VA
The show has grossed more than $5.5 million in ticket sales, according to officials with Broadway in Richmond. The four-week run of Disney’s The Lion King has broken the Landmark Theater box office record for a Broadway engagement. When the show ends this Sunday, it will have grossed over $5.5 million and performed for over 93,000 people. In comparison, the three-week run of the Broadway hit “Wicked” at the Landmark in 2010 brought in about $4.8 million.
Organizers estimate that the show has produced a $19.5 million economic impact on the Richmond region. including hotels, restaurants, parking, and businesses patronized by audience members and production staff.
“We are so proud to share the experience of this groundbreaking production with audiences in Richmond, and to entertain so many first-time and regular theatergoers,” said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions in a statement. “We are overwhelmed by the enduring response to the show and thank all of Central Virginia for an incredible engagement.”
“The Lion King brought us incredibly talented creative artists and actors, and a team that worked hard to maintain the highest theatrical standards,” says Steve Traxler, President, Chicago-based Jam Theatricals, the presenting company for Broadway In Richmond, “and the patrons and our loyal Broadway In Richmond subscribers showed their thanks by supporting this blockbuster engagement and making it a success.”
The Lion King, seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Costume Design, and Best Choreography.
The Lion King closes at Landmark Theatre VA on Sunday, March 11, 2012 and Moves to New Orleans LA. Lion King performances start at Mahalia Jackson Theatre March 14, 2012 and continue through April 15, 2012. Buy Lion King New Orleans LA Tickets and Get $10 OFF on Orders over $350! Use Code #SpringSavings at Checkout.
