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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.
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