Disney's The Lion King is continuing its journey on its North American national tour, now in its 21st year on the road. See Darian Sanders as Simba, Peter Hargrave as Scar, Nick LaMedica as Zazu, and Khalifa White as Nala in newly release production photos below.
The production's cast also includes Gerald Ramsey as Mufasa, Gugwana Dlamini as Rafiki, Nick Cordileone as Timon, John E. Brady as Pumbaa, Forest VanDyke as Banzai, Martina Sykes as Shenzi, and Robbie Swift as Ed. Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Jordan Pendleton share the role of Young Simba, with Scarlett London Diviney and Farrah Wilson sharing Young Nala.
Rounding out the company in the ensemble are Derek Adams, Kayla Rose Aimable, William John Austin, Iman Ayana, Isaiah Bailey, Samantha Lauren Barriento, Eric Bean, Jr., Layla Brent, Christin Byrdsong, Sasha Caicedo, Thembelihle Cele, Leroy Church, Daniela Cobb, Lyric Danae, Camille Eanga-Selenge, Marquis Floyd, Tony Freeman, Mukelisiwe Goba, Marquise Hitchcock, Gabisile Manana, Amber Mayberry, Christopher L. McKenzie, Jr., Justin Mensah, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Aaron Nelson, Jeremy Noel, Sicelo Ntshangase, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Yael Pineda-Hall, Christopher Sams, Maia Schechter, T. Shyvonne Stewart, Jennifer Theriot, Courtney Thomas, Diamond Essence White, Jordan Nicole Willis, and Sherman Wood.
The tour currently has dates planned through October 2023. For a full itinerary, visit LionKing.com.
Khalifa White in The Lion King
Peter Hargrave in The Lion King
Darian Sanders and Khalifa White in The Lion King
Darian Sanders in The Lion King
Nick LaMedica in The Lion King
The Tony-winning musical's Broadway iteration recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The production officially opened November 13, 1997, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, subsequently transferring to the Minskoff Theatre in June 2006. It still runs there to this day. There have been 28 touring and international productions over the life of the show, seen by 110 million people. Currently, 115,000 people enjoy the show in nine productions on three continents every week.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from The Lion King animated film and three new songs by the pair along with additional musical material by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.
Other members of the tour creative team include Michael Curry (who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor), as well as sound designer Steve Canyon Kennedy, hair and makeup designer Michael Ward, music supervisor Clement Ishmael, and production supervisor Lisa Dawn Cave. Casting is by Mark Brandon of Binder Casting. Anne Quart is co-producer.
