Buyi Zama News

The return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, January 18 at 8:00 p.m. at Bass Concert Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, February 10. “To date, sales for The Lion King have exceeded our expectations but with a four week run in Austin, there are still outstanding seats available in every price range,' said Kathy Panoff, Director and Associate Dean of Texas Performing Arts.

At BroadwayWorld we pride ourselves in showcasing theater content submitted by our regional contributors from all corners of the globe. Get all your theater news at a glance each Friday with 'Around BWW: Regional Highlights of the Week'! Read on for the top-read stories for the week of January 14, 2013!

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from Wednesday, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Buyi Zama was born in South Africa and enjoyed many opportunities to travel all over the world. Now, Buyi is enjoying the experience of traveling all over the United States as she plays Rafiki with the tour of THE LION KING. I recently had the opportunity to ask Buyi Zama questions about her experiences playing Rafiki with the tour.

The National Tour of Disney's THE LION KING leaps onto the SHN Orpheum Theatre stage now through January 13, 2013. THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43-week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004. The cast of the National Tour took a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Click below!

For me, 2012 has been a fantastic year. In February, I found out I had won Broadway Across America - Houston's reviewing contest for the second half of their 2011-12 season. Having always wanted to be a theater reviewer, I was thrilled beyond imagination. Sitting in Sarofim Hall waiting for Carrie Fisher to take the stage in her one-woman show WISHFUL DRINKING, I knew I didn't want this journey to end. On May 16, 2012, I contacted BroadwayWorld, and they gave me the opportunity to cover the impressive and large Houston Theatre Scene. My tenure in Houston has not been terribly long, but as 2012 draws to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to review some of my favorite experiences that writing for BroadwayWorld has afforded me.

Casting has been announced for the Austin engagement of DISNEY'S THE LION KING. The production features Derek Smith as "Scar", Dionne Randolph as "Mufasa", Buyi Zama as "Rafiki", Mark David Kaplan as "Zazu", Ben Lipitz as "Pumbaa", Nick Cordileone as "Timon", Jelani Remy as "Simba", Syndee Winters as "Nala", Keith Bennett as "Banzai", Rashada Dawan as "Shenzi" and Robbie Swift as "Ed."

Casting has been announced for the San Francisco return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. San Francisco's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the SHN Orpheum Theatre stage from Thursday, November 1, 2012 to Sunday, January 13, 2013. THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43-week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004.

The Albuquerque premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, October 4 at 7:30pm at Popejoy Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through October 28, 2012. In Albuquerque, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday evenings at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 1:00pm and 6:30pm. There will be a 1:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, October 11. "Albuquerque has received The Lion King with open arms," said Tom Tkach, Director of Popejoy Hall. "Though we have sold out of several performances, tickets may still be purchased, with weeknight performances having the best availability."

The Wichita premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, September 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Century II Concert Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, September 30, 2012. In Wichita, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday nights at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Thursday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. There will not be an evening performance on Sunday, September 30. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations, but there are still great seats available! Thanks to this amazing Broadway touring company and the City of Wichita, which has done such a beautiful job getting Century II ready for THE LION KING," said Mark Edleman, President of Theater League.

Translating an animated feature to the musical stage is a daunting challenge. Really, any film, even with actors who are drawn onto cells, usually makes a rocky transition. That's what makes THE LION KING so disarming and dazzling in its conception and execution. The techniques and ideas pioneered here in the Tony Award-winning show have since been used elsewhere, but they still manage to excite and enthrall an audience, and that's a credit to all the skilled technicians and actors who make these characters come to life. The current production playing the Fox is a magical ride that must be taken, and it's easily an "E" ticket (if you remember those days at the Disney fun parks).

The St. Louis return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, August 16 at 8pm at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, September 2.

THE LION KING definitely roared into Houston.

The Houston return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hobby Center for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. St. Louis's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Fox Theatre stage from Wednesday, August 15 to Sunday September 2. The press opening night is Thursday, August 16 at 8:00pm.

The Greenville premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, June 14 at 7:30pm at the Peace Center for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, July 8. In Greenville, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, Sunday evenings at 6:30pm, Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm. There will be a 7:30pm performance on Monday, July 2 and a 2:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, July 5. There will not be a performance on Wednesday, July 4.

Casting has been announced for the Houston engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Houston's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Hobby Center stage from Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.