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Disney Theatrical Productions: THE LION KING Welcomes Clifton Oliver As Simba to Broadway’s Minskoff Theater

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THE LION KING WELCOMES

CLIFTON OLIVER AS
SIMBA


TONIGHT, FRIDAY, MAY 13

 

-Broadway’s
Minskoff Theatre-


For
Immediate Release:  Friday, May 13, 2011 – Broadway’s landmark musical
event THE LION KING is pleased to welcome CLIFTON OLIVER
as Simba, tonight, Friday, May 13.  Dashaun Young, who played his final
Broadway performance on Saturday, May 7 as Simba, will reprise the role with
the Las Vegas company on Monday, June 20.
Oliver
originated the role of Simba in the Las Vegas production at Mandalay Bay (2009)
and the Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theater (2000) and performed as
Simba on the first national tour. 
Produced
by Disney Theatrical Productions, THE LION KING is currently playing at
Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street).  The show
officially opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997. 

 

Clifton
Oliver also starred on Broadway as Benny (opposite Jordin Sparks) in In the
Heights
and as Fiyero in Wicked and appeared in the Los Angeles
company of Ragtime.  Oliver’s Off-Broadway credits include Wig
Out
and Miracle Brothers (Vineyard Theatre). Touring productions
include Benny in Rent (Australia) and Teen Angel in Grease
(second national).  Television includes a guest starring role as Mad Hoops on
“Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”

 

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.”  CAMERON POW portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird
“Zazu,” TOM ALAN ROBBINS is the carefree warthog
“Pumbaa,” FRED BERMAN is the wisecracking meerkat
“Timon” and CHAUNTEÉ SCHULER is 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 AUBREY
OMARI JOSEPH and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between
SHAYLIN BECTON and KHAIL TOI BRYANT.

 

ABOUT THE LION KING

As
it begins its 14th year THE LION KING remains ascendant, continuing
to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in
the world.  Since its 1997 Broadway premiere, 18 global productions have been
seen by more than 55 million people, and grossed over $4.3 billion to date. 
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.  Translated into seven different
languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the
show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents.  THE LION
KING can currently be seen on Broadway (its flagship production), on stages
across North America, and in Las Vegas, London’s West End, Hamburg, Tokyo
and Singapore.  In October 2011, the first Spanish production will bow in
Madrid.  THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony® Awards:  Best Musical, Best Scenic
Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting
Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a
Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the
honor.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including
the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for
Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event
of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best
Costume Design. 

 

TICKETING

For
tickets, show information and performance schedule, call
Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway
hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit online
,
LionKing.com.
 

 

# # #

 

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney with Aaron Adams.” Mr. Hill makes his home in Southern New Hampshire with his lovely wife Nancy and two obnoxious cats, Ginger & Betty.

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News & Press Releases

Disney Will Bring D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event to Anaheim, California in August 2024

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Expanded Disney Fan Experience Will Feature New and Exciting Events Across Multiple Locations, Including a D23 Takeover of the Happiest Place On Earth, Evening Entertainment at the Honda Center, D23 Day at Angel Stadium, and Much More

Fan Favorites Including Exhibits, Panels, Shows, and Shopping Will Dazzle Disney Enthusiasts at the Anaheim Convention Center

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event is a one-of-a-kind fan experience like never before with spectacular shows, new venues, and multiple days of entertainment that will bring together the best of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and more!

Highlightswill include:

  • Sunday, August 4: D23 Day at Angel Stadium, where D23 fans are invited to attend the Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Mets game. 
  • Thursday, August 8: D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort.
  • Friday, August 9 – Sunday, August 11: Shopping, exhibits, panels, and presentations will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center during the day, with the fun extending into the evening at the Honda Center, the bigger home to marquee shows.

Tickets for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will go on sale in Spring 2024, with ticketing options to be announced later for access to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Honda Center. Admission for D23 Day at Angel Stadium and the D23 kickoff celebration at Disneyland Resort will be available as separate ticketed events. Additional details for D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be announced in early 2024.

You can get updates by staying connected to D23 via social media (@DisneyD23 on FacebookInstagramX), D23.com, and our weekly D23 FanFare email (sign up for free as a D23 General Member at JoinD23.com).

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s nearly 100-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic year-round through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; the latest news and stories on D23.com; member-exclusive offers and discounts; the popular D23 Inside Disney podcast; and special experiences for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99/year), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99/year), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Star Wars Spoof: Space Robots in Outer Space Ep X: Battle for the Halcyon: The Last Starcruiser

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Sure, Star Wars is cool and all. But let’s not forget about that other multi-part sci-fi cinematic spectacular, “Space Robots in Outer Space.” In fact, Hank Lonely (Hollywood’s ultimate hyphenate — actor / producer / director / writer / guy who makes sure the Porto Potties are kept squeaky-clean) just announced that there’ll soon be a 10th installment of this … Well, not exactly beloved. How about we say “admired from afar” instead? … series coming to a theater near you. In fact, here’s the highly anticipated teaser trailer for that project. Which is supposed to be titled “Space Robots in Outer Space X — Battle for the Halycon: The Last Starcruiser.”

Okay. Now the real story … In honor of Star Wars Day (i.e., May 4th. As in “May the Fourth Be With You”), Len Testa and I are sharing something that we produced with the help of all the nice folks who joined us last month aboard the Halycon.

We turned the Galactic Starcruiser as well as Black Spire Outpost into the backdrop for an affectionate send-up of all things Stars Wars. We hope that you (more importantly, the legal team at Lucasfilm) take this faux trailer in the spirit with which it was intended. Special thanks to Aaron Adams for so skillfully stitching all of this footage together. Also thanks to the team at Storybook Destinations, Touring Plans and the talented cast & crew aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” for making this “Disney Dish” fan event so memorable.

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Disney’s New Trailer Reveals How Ralph & Vanellope Get to the Internet in “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

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Wreck-It Ralph 2

When “Wreck-It Ralph” opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Now Disney is hoping Ralph will not only break the Internet but the 2018 Thanksgiving boxoffice records as well.

The film re-teams the original director, producer and co-writer behind “Wreck-It Ralph.”  The screenplay is currently being written by Phil Johnston and Pamela Ribon. Director Rich Moore, producer Clark Spencer, and co-writer Phil Johnston partnered with fellow director Byron Howard and co-writer/co-director Jared Bush to create the Academy Award®-winning blockbuster feature “Zootopia.”

ROYAL REUNION – In “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2,” Vanellope von Schweetz-along with her best friend Ralph-ventures into the uncharted world of the internet. When she finds herself surrounded by Disney princesses, she’s surprised to learn that she actually has a lot in common with them. The scene, highlighted in a new trailer for the film (below), features several of the original princess voices, including Auli’i Cravalho (“Moana”), Kristen Bell (Anna in “Frozen”), Idina Menzel (Elsa in “Frozen”), Kelly MacDonald (Merida in “Brave”), Mandy Moore (Rapunzel in “Tangled”), Anika Noni Rose (Tiana in “The Princess and the Frog”), Ming-Na Wen (“Mulan”), Irene Bedard (“Pocahontas”), Linda Larkin (Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Paige O’Hara (Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”) and Jodi Benson (Ariel in “The Little Mermaid”). Featuring Sarah Silverman as the voice of Vanellope, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2” opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 21, 2018. 

 

“RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2”

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS

https://disney.com/ralphbreakstheinternet

https://www.youtube.com/user/disneyanimation

https://www.facebook.com/WreckItRalph/

https://twitter.com/wreckitralph

https://www.instagram.com/wreckitralph/

 

U.S. Release Date:  Nov. 21, 2018

Voice cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk

Directors: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston

Producer: Clark Spencer

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