Casting Announced for Disney's THE LION KING
Broadway's Award-Winning Best Musical
Hartford's limited return engagement plays Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to Sunday, February 14, 2010 at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Hartford, CT—Casting has been announced for the Hartford engagement of DISNEY’S THE LION KING. Hartford’s most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto The Bushnell’s stage on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, February 14, 2010. The opening night is Friday, January 29, 2010 at 8 p.m. This Hartford engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris, and a new sit-down production in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. This engagement of DISNEY’S THE LION KING is sponsored by The Hartford Financial Services Group.
The malevolent and evil “Scar” will be played by Brent Harris, who has been playing leading roles in many of the top regional theatres in the U.S., including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company (D.C.), Seattle Rep, Denver Center and many others. Dionne Randolph will play the lion king “Mufasa.” Mr. Randolph’s credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, Little Shop of Horrors and Once on this Island. Phindile Mkhize, a native of South Africa, is the wise “Rafiki.” Ms. Mkhize has traveled to Germany, Australia, Holland and Amsterdam performing and sharing her talents, and her credits include The Lion King Soundtrack ‘94, Sarafina 2; Mama, Maria, Maria, and WozaMyFohloza.
The meerkat “Timon” will be played by Tyler Murree, who has appeared in productions of Dirty Dancing, The Lord of the Rings: The Musical and Disney’s Twice Charmed. Tony Freeman, who will portray “Zazu,” has previously played the role on Broadway for over 1,300 performances. Mr. Freeman recently performed in Kander and Ebb’s new musical All About Us and in Caroline, or Change in Los Angeles and San Francisco. And Ben Lipitz, is “Pumbaa,” the warthog; Mr. Lipitz’ stage credits include Red, Hot and Blue, Just So, ART, Dirty Blonde, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Marja Harmon, a graduate of the University of Southern California, is the lioness “Nala” and was recently seen on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and in the National Tour of Aida. Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” will be played by André Jackson, who is an alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has numerous Broadway, film and television credits.
The three hyenas will be played by: Omari Tau (“Banzai”), a graduate of Michigan State University who has performed with the National Tour of The Lion King for the past 5 years; Andrea Jones (“Shenzi”), a graduate of Michigan State University who has performed with Jessica Simpson and Babyface; and Ben Roseberry (“Ed”), a graduate of Webster University whose stage credits include Rent, Emma, The Mysteries of Harris Burdick and Max Understood.
Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for THE LION KING. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the 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.
In Hartford, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There is a Thursday, January 28, 2010 matinee performance at 1 p.m. Ticket prices start as low as $20.50. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are on sale now, and are available at The Bushnell Box Office, by phone at (860) 987-5900 and online at www.bushnell.org. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling (860) 987-5959.
The Hartford engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with The Bushnell and is sponsored by The Hartford Financial Services Group.