Rejection is a constant in this business, even when you’ve had success. Some days you take it in stride, other days it can really sink in deeper than you expect. I’ve had plenty of moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path, wondering if I should leave New York or perhaps find another career altogether.
VIDEO: Meet THE LION KING Tour's Zazu, Jürgen Hooper
By: Linnae Medeiros
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We're heading to the Pridelands to get to know Jürgen Hooper, who is the newest Zazu in the North American tour of the smash hit musical The Lion King. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Disney classic with the video!
Jürgen Hooper has appeared on Broadway in Brighton Beach Memoirs. His regional credits include Red Velvet, The Hard Problem, The Mousetrap, Isaac's Eye, The Comedy of Errors, Life and Limb, The Game's Afoot, The Cherry Orchard and Wannamaker's Pursuit. His film and television credits include Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Crisis, Suits, and the film Game Day.
In the past year alone, The Lion King hit several historic milestones. In May the entertainment blockbuster reached over 100 million guests worldwide, in June the Broadway production hit 9,000 performances, and this past October the London production celebrated its 20th anniversary in the West End. This summer several of the show's creators including Elton John, Lebo M, and Hans Zimmer - collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.
After 22 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 100 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King has made theatrical history with three productions worldwide running 15 or more years and three others running 20 or more years. Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; on tour across North America, Japan, and the U.K. & Ireland, with a separate production touring internationally, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
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Podcasts
Gilbert Domally Leads The Lion King Tour As Simba On The National Tour!
Gilbert Domally joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a BroadwayWorld Exclusive conversation as he leads the national tour of The Lion King as Simba. Domally shares the inspiring journey that took him from Miami to the Broadway company of this legendary production and now across the country as the king of the Pride Lands.
Cameron Amandus Jones, a Michigan alum, and member of Lion King on Broadway joins us on BFTS Podcast! More on Cameron here: @i.amandus. Try your own Broadway fitness program on a mobile app!
Episode #133: Shereen Pimentel 👸🏾
This Afro-Latina queen has made her roar be heard ever since she started performing! 🤩 In this episode, the incredible Shereen Pimentel shares her Broadway journey from The Lion King as the first Afro-Latina Young Nala to her work in West Side Story, the 2020 revival, Into the Woods at New York City Center, and regional productions of Evita.
#186 - Joaquin Pedro Valdes - LION KING UK Tour
Joaquin Pedro Valdes / @joaquin.pedro.valdes is a Filipino actor living in the United Kingdom. He started his career at a very young age in the Philippines and has extensively worked in the TV, Concert, Film and Theatre industries in Manila.
For nearly two decades Ray Mercer has been a cast member of 'The Lion King' on Broadway. One of the longest-running male dancers in Broadway history, Mercer, who plays one of the iconic 14 foot giraffes at the top of the show, is also the show's fight captain.
Ep21 - Julie Taymor (The Lion King - 1998)
Julie Taymor made history being the first female director to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. One of the most iconic directors of our generation, Julie is also a writer of theater, opera and film.
Ray Mercer (Broadway’s Lion King) on Being a Veteran Cast Member
In this Artist Exploration, Ray and Charlie discuss: How he had his first dance class at 17 years old. The Lion King audition experience. Maintaining a dual career as Performer and Choreographer. The experience of being with a show for 20 years.
Director Julie Taymor celebrates the Disney musical’s Broadway birthday, revealing how she did it, what she learned and what’s next.
S8 Ep7 The Lion King Cubs from Broadway
Broadway's The Lion King cubs Mariama Diop, Evie Winter Lee, Donovan Louis Bazemore and Jayden Theophile perform with Joshua Turchin and talk about what it's like to be in The Lion King on Broadway.
#13 Do It Scared: Gregory Butler & Ray Mercer
Gennean Scott returns for season two with dancers/choreographers Gregory Butler and Ray Mercer as they dig into topics such as fear, shame, value, and what it takes to find your path. Take a listen to learn the wise words from Ray’s Grandma Emma Turner: ”If you can’t beat fear, do it scared.” Edited by Justin Payne.
Jelani Remy, Curtain Up! Jelani and Eli talk about: Lion King. Ain't Too Proud. Emcee in Cabaret. High School Musical. Papermill Playhouse. Audience is your scene partner. Touring vs Broadway. Learning from Experience. Gone Forgotten Year in Tribeca Film Festival.
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