Casting Announced for Disney’s The Lion King Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical

Casting Announced for
Disney’s The Lion King
Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical

Limited five-week return engagement plays
January 11-February 12, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre

Two cast members have Minnesota connections!

MINNEAPOLIS—Casting has been announced for the Minneapolis engagement of Disney’s The Lion King. The highly anticipated return of the inspiring stage production will leap onto Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre stage from Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The press opening night is at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Tickets are on sale now. The Lion King celebrated its world premiere in 1997 at the Orpheum, followed by sold out engagements in 2005 and 2007. Minneapolis becomes the first city in North America to host this landmark musical four times. It is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

The sardonic and deviously cunning “Scar” is played by J. Anthony Crane, who grew up in Minneapolis and whose family still lives in the Twin Cities. Dionne Randolph is “Mufasa,” the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Buyi Zama is the wise baboon shaman “Rafiki.” Mark David Kaplan portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird “Zazu.” Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog “Pumbaa.” Nick Cordileone, who went to grade school in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, is the wisecracking meerkat “Timon.” Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” the lion prince born to be king, is played by Jelani Remy and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness “Nala.”

The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau (“Banzai”), Monica L. Patton (“Shenzi”) and Ben Roseberry (“Ed”). The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Niles Fitch and Zavion J. Hill and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.

The North American touring production of The Lion King has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $875 million to date. The current schedule is listed below. For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

Disney selected Minneapolis for the world premiere of The Lion King in 1997 because of the city’s reputation for an intelligent and supportive theatre audience. Once the show opened, it was an instant success that laid the groundwork for the international acclaim that followed. The world premiere of The Lion King played a key role in solidifying Minneapolis as a major player in the Broadway marketplace, and the city, home to the Hennepin Theatre District, maintains its reputation as a premier locale for the hottest Broadway shows.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for Disney’s The Lion King are on sale now. Ticket prices start as low as $30 (subject to change). Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402, no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 or at a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Prices depend on performance time and seating preference and include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. In addition, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seating location, commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Groups of 15 or more should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Performances dates for The Lion King are Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403).

Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Thursday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 9. There is no 6:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Please note: The only way to guarantee the authenticity of the ticket is to purchase from an authorized ticket seller, and the ONLY authorized ticket sellers are the State Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster and HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

ABOUT THE LION KING
Now in 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 60 million people, grossed over $4.6 billion to date and have cumulatively run 83 years. 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 and 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 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 New York 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.

On stage, Taymor’s creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.

Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music 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 resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2012:

Denver – Buell Theatre
November 2 – December 4, 2011

Baltimore – Hippodrome Theatre
December 7 – January 8, 2012

Minneapolis – Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre
January 11 – February 12, 2012

Richmond – Landmark Theatre
February 15 – March 11, 2012

New Orleans – Mahalia Jackson Theatre
March 14 – April 15, 2012

Orlando – Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
April 17 – May 13, 2012

Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center
May 17 – June 10, 2012

Greenville – Peace Center for Performing Arts
June 12 – July 8, 2012

Houston – Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
July 10 – August 12, 2012

St. Louis – Fox Theatre
August 15 – September 2, 2012

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust’s activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids’ Night. For more information, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO-Theatrical), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis and the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

Northwestern Mutual – The Columns Resource Group is a proud sponsor of the 2011-12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season