Casting is now set for the new Toronto production of Disney鈥檚 The Lion King, which will begin previews November 2 at the Princess of Wales Theatre prior to an official opening November 10.
The cast will feature Salvatore Antonio as Scar, Zama Magudulela as Rafiki, David Wilson as Mufasa, Will Jeffs as Zazu, Trevor Patt as Pumbaa, Brian Sills as Timon, Camille Eanga-Selenge as Nala, Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba, Jewelle Blackman as Shenzi, Joema Frith as Banzai, and Simon Gallant as Ed. Zora Cameron, Ana Victoria Dinapo, and Nendia Lewars will share the role of Young Nala, while Lucien Duncan-Reid, Ira Nabong, and Oliver Woon will share the role of Young Simba.
The ensemble includes Caleb Ajao, Damien Broomes, Wade Buller, Krystle Chance, Lisa Michelle Cornelius, Isabel Dela Cruz, Vania DoDoo-Beals, Jordan Faye, Felander, Alex Furber, Katherine Gayle Kewsa, Tristan Ghostkeeper, Rose-Mary Harbans, Jasmine Huang, Rebaone Kgosimore, Lia Loewen, Lisakhanya Matrose, Adrienne Metivier, Khayaloxolo Mniki, Iteboge Modipane, Buhle Nkomo, Martina Ortiz Luis, Hugo Pimentel, Busisiwe Shezi, Elljay Timmangen, Luc Trottier, Trayvon Ward, Ocean Williams, Tenaj Williams, Zachary Williams, Oren Williamson, Zinzi Xalisa, Marlee Young, and Angel Zuma.
The cast of 51 actors鈥�41 from Canada and 10 from South Africa鈥攚ill begin rehearsals in Toronto September 9.
Producer David Mirvish said in a statement, 鈥淔or many people [The Lion King] is the entryway to professional theatre. It is the show that parents and grandparents first bring children to, as an introduction to the magic of theatre. It is the show couples choose for a first date, and married couples attend to celebrate an anniversary. The Lion King is also important because it has inspired many young people to work in the theatre. That was true of the original Canadian premiere production of The Lion King in 2000. And it is also true of this new production, almost a quarter century later鈥攚hich also happens to be the average length of a human generation. After an extensive seven-month search across Canada and abroad, we are delighted to be offering the professional debuts of many new actors, and, for already established actors, an opportunity to be part of this truly one-of-a-kind production.鈥�
The original Canadian production opened in Toronto in March 2000. It was the second production of The Lion King in North America, after the show鈥檚 Tony-winning Broadway premiere, and played a record-breaking 1,567 performances at the Princess of Wales Theatre, closing January 4, 2004. After the sit-down production ended, The Lion King touring productions visited the city three times鈥攊n 2011, 2014, and 2019鈥攅ach time selling out. And now, Toronto becomes the first city in North America to have a second sit-down production of The Lion King.
The Lion King began its stage life in October 1997 at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, before transferring to the Minskoff, where it continues, in June 2006. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show鈥檚 director, costume designer, and mask co-designer, Julie Taymor, was the first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical; she continues to supervise new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice鈥檚 songs from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer; and music from Rhythm of the Pride Lands, an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, and Hans Zimmer. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film鈥檚 screenplay.
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