Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING is pleased to welcome Adam Jacobs as Simba, beginning performances the week of August 29. Jacobs, who most recently starred in the title role of the world premiere of Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, previously played the role of Simba on national tour. Clifton Oliver played his final performance as Simba on Friday, August 26. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, THE LION KING is playing at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit online, LionKing.com.
Adam Jacobs has previously appeared on Broadway as Marius in Les Miserables. His national touring credits include The Lion King (Simba), Mamma Mia! (Sky), Les Miserables (Marius) and Cinderella (Prince). Adam's favorite regional theatre credits include the
5th Avenue Theatre's world premiere of Aladdin (Aladdin) directed by
Casey Nicholaw, Marriott Theater's Hot Mikado (Nanki-poo) and SF Opera's
Harvey Milk (Young Harvey).
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.
Jeff Binder portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird Zazu,
Ben Jeffrey 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.
As it approaches its 15th 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 Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 18 global productions have been seen by more than 60 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, 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.
