J. Anthony Crane, Dionne Randolph Lead THE LION KING at Orpheum Theatre

Casting has been announced for the Minneapolis engagement of Disney's The Lion King. The highly anticipated return of the inspiring stage production will leap onto Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre stage from Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. The press opening night is at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. Tickets are on sale now. The Lion King celebrated its world premiere in 1997 at the Orpheum, followed by sold out engagements in 2005 and 2007. Minneapolis becomes the first city in North America to host this landmark musical four times. It is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" is played by J. Anthony Crane, who grew up in Minneapolis and whose family still lives in the Twin Cities. Dionne Randolph is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Buyi Zama is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Mark David Kaplan portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu." Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog "Pumbaa." Nick Cordileone, who went to grade school in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, is the wisecracking meerkat "Timon." Mufasa's son, "Simba," the lion prince born to be king, is played by Jelani Remy and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness "Nala."

The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau ("Banzai"), Monica L. Patton ("Shenzi") and Ben Roseberry ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Niles Fitch and Zavion J. Hill and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.

The North American touring production of The Lion King has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $875 million to date. The current schedule is listed below. For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com. Disney selected Minneapolis for the world premiere of The Lion King in 1997 because of the city's reputation for an intelligent and supportive theatre audience. Once the show opened, it was an instant success that laid the groundwork for the international acclaim that followed. The world premiere of The Lion King played a key role in solidifying Minneapolis as a major player in the Broadway marketplace, and the city, home to the Hennepin Theatre District, maintains its reputation as a premier locale for the hottest Broadway shows.

Performances dates for The Lion King are Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403).
Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Thursday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 9. There is no 6:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Feb. 12.