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Donald Holder

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BIO

Donald Holder has worked extensively in Theatre, Opera, Dance, Architectural and Television lighting in the US and abroad for over 30 years. He has designed 58 Broadway productions and has been nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning the Tony for Best Lighting Design for The Lion King in 1998, and for the 2008 revival of South Pacific. Recent Broadway productions include: Tootsie, Kiss Me Kate, Anastasia, Oslo, Straight White Men, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, On the Twentieth Century, The Bridges of Madison County, Bullets Over Broadway and many others. Projects at the NY Metropolitan Opera include Rigoletto (2022), Porgy and Bess, Samson et Delilah, Otello, The Magic Flute and the premiere of Two Boys. He has worked at most of the nation’s leading resident theatres and has designed over 100 Off-Broadway productions. His television/film work includes the theatrical lighting for two seasons of “Smash” (NBC - Dreamworks), Oceans 8 (Warner Brothers Pictures), “The Bad Witch” (HBO Max), and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Amazon). Mr. Holder is an Associate Professor and head of the lighting program at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts.




Photos

Productions

Pirates! The Penzance MusicalPirates! The Penzance Musical
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Lighting Designer
McNealMcNeal
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Lighting Designer
Kiss Me, KateKiss Me, Kate
 
[West End, 2024]
Lighting Designer
CorruptionCorruption
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Lighting
Paradise SquareParadise Square
 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
Lighting Design[Replacement]
Tootsie (Non-Equity)Tootsie (Non-Equity)
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
The Lion King West EndThe Lion King West End
 
[West End, 2021]
Lighting Designer
Timon of AthensTimon of Athens
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Lighting Design
My Fair LadyMy Fair Lady
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Lighting Designer
Fiddler on the Roof (Non-Equity)Fiddler on the Roof (Non-Equity)
 
[US Tour, 2019]
Lighting Designer
TootsieTootsie
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Lighting Designer
Kiss Me, KateKiss Me, Kate
 
[Broadway, 2019]
Lighting
Paradise SquareParadise Square
 
[San Francisco (Regional), 2019]
Lighting Designer
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Lighting Designer[Replacement]
TootsieTootsie
 
[Chicago, 2018]
Lighting Designer
Straight White MenStraight White Men
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Design
The King and IThe King and I
 
[West End, 2018]
Lighting Designer
My Fair LadyMy Fair Lady
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Lighting Design
The Way of the WorldThe Way of the World
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Lighting Design
M. ButterflyM. Butterfly
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
Monsoon WeddingMonsoon Wedding
 
[Regional (US), 2017]
Lighting Design
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
OsloOslo
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Lighting Designer
Kiss Me, KateKiss Me, Kate
 
[New York, 2016]
Lighting Designer
In TransitIn Transit
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
The King and IThe King and I
 
[US Tour, 2016]
Lighting
The Cherry OrchardThe Cherry Orchard
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
Meteor ShowerMeteor Shower
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2016]
Lighting Designer
OsloOslo
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Lighting
AnastasiaAnastasia
 
[Regional (US), 2016]
Lighting Designer
My ParisMy Paris
 
[Chester, CT (Regional), 2016]
Lighting Design
The FatherThe Father
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Lighting Designer
Fiddler on the RoofFiddler on the Roof
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
In Your ArmsIn Your Arms
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2015]
Lighting Designer
The King and IThe King and I
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
On the Twentieth CenturyOn the Twentieth Century
 
[Broadway, 2015]
Lighting Design
You Can't Take It with YouYou Can't Take It with You
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Design
The Unsinkable Molly BrownThe Unsinkable Molly Brown
 
[Regional (US), 2014]
Lighting Design
Bullets Over Broadway: The MusicalBullets Over Broadway: The Musical
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
The Bridges of Madison CountyThe Bridges of Madison County
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Lighting Designer
Big FishBig Fish
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom DurninThe Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Lighting Designer
Funny GirlFunny Girl
 
[Broadway, 2012] Cancelled
Lighting Designer
Golden BoyGolden Boy
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Lighting Designer
AnnieAnnie
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Lighting Designer
Blood and GiftsBlood and Gifts
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
The Blue FlowerThe Blue Flower
 
[Off-Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
South PacificSouth Pacific
 
[West End, 2011]
Lighting Designer
Come Fly AwayCome Fly Away
 
[US Tour, 2011]
Lighting Designer
Spider-Man Turn Off the DarkSpider-Man Turn Off the Dark
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
The Motherf**ker With the HatThe Motherf**ker With the Hat
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
ArcadiaArcadia
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Lighting Designer
Promises, PromisesPromises, Promises
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Lighting Designer
Come Fly AwayCome Fly Away
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Lighting Designer
RagtimeRagtime
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
OleannaOleanna
 
[Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
HappinessHappiness
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
Happiness
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Lighting Designer
Romantic PoetryRomantic Poetry
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Romantic Poetry
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Some Americans Abroad
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
The Marriage of Bette and Boo
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
SavedSaved
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Lighting Designer
Les Liaisons DangereusesLes Liaisons Dangereuses
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
South PacificSouth Pacific
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Almost an Evening
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Lighting Designer
Yellow Face
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
Cyrano de BergeracCyrano de Bergerac
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
Romeo and Juliet
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
Radio GolfRadio Golf
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
Prelude to a KissPrelude to a Kiss
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Lighting Designer
The Apple TreeThe Apple Tree
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Little Dog LaughedThe Little Dog Laughed
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Times They are A-Changin'The Times They are A-Changin'
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Pain and the Itch
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
All Shook Up
 
[US Tour, 2006]
Lighting Designer
Sore Throats
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
Carnival!
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Times They are A-Changin'
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Little Dog Laughed
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Lighting Designer
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
Birdie Blue
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
A Streetcar Named DesireA Streetcar Named Desire
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
All Shook UpAll Shook Up
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Lighting Designer
La Cage aux FollesLa Cage aux Folles
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
Gem of the OceanGem of the Ocean
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
Little Shop of Horrors
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Lighting Designer
Little Shop of Horrors
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Lighting Designer
After The FallAfter The Fall
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
Chinese Friends
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
The Joys of Sex
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
The Joys of Sex
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lighting Designer
Movin' Out
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Lighting Designer
The Last Letter
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
The Violet HourThe Violet Hour
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Thoroughly Modern Millie
 
[West End, 2003]
Lighting Designer
The Boy From OzThe Boy From Oz
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Little Shop of HorrorsLittle Shop of Horrors
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Thoroughly Modern Millie
 
[US Tour, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Polish Joke
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Elegies
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Lighting Designer
Movin' OutMovin' Out
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
A Man of No Importance
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
The Boys from Syracuse
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
Thoroughly Modern MillieThoroughly Modern Millie
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
The Lion KingThe Lion King
 
[US Tour, 2002]
Lighting Designer
Carson McCullers (Historically Inaccurate)
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Lighting Designer
Everett Beekin
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Designer
Once Around the City
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
Chaucer in Rome
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
Glimmer, Glimmer & Shine
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
King Hedley II
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
Bells Are Ringing
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Lighting Designer
Tiny Alice
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
Thoroughly Modern Millie
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2000]
Lighting Designer
Jitney
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
Jitney
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
The Green Bird
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
Saturday Night
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Lighting Designer
Copacabana
 
[US Tour, 2000]
Lighting Designer
Voices in the Dark
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
Jar the Floor
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Lighting Designer
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
The Memory of Water
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
Communicating Doors
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
From Above
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
Richard III
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
Richard II
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
The Maiden's Prayer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Lighting Designer
The Lion KingThe Lion King
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
Three Days of Rain
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
Plunge
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
All My Sons
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
The Red Address
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
The Changeling
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
Minutes from the Blue Route
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Lighting Designer
Juan Darién
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
Fit to Be Tied
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
Hughie
 
[Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
The Green Bird
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
The Amazing Metrano
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
Measure for Measure
 
[Off-Broadway, 1996]
Lighting Designer
Holiday
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Young Playwrights Festival (1995)
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
After-Play
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Crumbs from the Table of Joy
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Phaedra
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Luck, Pluck, and Virtue
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Henry VI
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Rush Limbaugh in Night School
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Raised in Captivity
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
After-Play
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Lighting Designer
Why We Have a Body
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
The Naked Truth
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
Kindertransport
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
Avenue X
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Lighting Designer
Pterodactyls
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
A Quarrel of Sparrows
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
Jeffrey
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
The Root
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Lighting Designer
Jeffrey
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
Solitary Confinement
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
Nothing Sacred
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
The Extra Man
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
Sight Unseen
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Lighting Designer
Dearly Departed
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
The Good Times Are Killing Me
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
Selling Off
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
The Good Times Are Killing Me
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Lighting Designer
The American Plan
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
Mi Vida Loca
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
Spunk:Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
The American Plan
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Lighting Designer
The Return
 
[Off-Broadway, 1989]
Lighting Designer
Eastern Standard
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Lighting Designer

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Paradise Square


winner
Obie Awards - 2018 - Design Award

Donald HolderHe Brought Her Heart Back in a Box

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, My Fair Lady

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, Anastasia

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Oslo

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, She Loves Me

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The King and I

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The Bridges of Madison County

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Golden Boy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Donald Holder, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Ragtime

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, South Pacific

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Cyrano de Bergerac


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses


winner
The Hewes Awards - 2008 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, South Pacific


winner
Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific

Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Gem of the Ocean

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, A Streetcar Named Desire

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Lighting Design of a Play

Donald Holder, Gem of the Ocean


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Violet Hour


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Observe the Sons of Ulster


winner
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme

Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Movin' Out


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Movin' Out

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder Thoroughly Modern Millie

The Lortels - 2001 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Jitney

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Lighting Designer

Donald Holder, The Lion King

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder , The Green Bird


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1998 - Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Donald Holder, The Lion King

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Lighting Design

Doanld HolderJuan Darient: A Carnival Mass

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Lighting Design

Donald Holder, Juan Darien

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production

Donald HolderStand Up For Tragedy

Videos

More Videos

News


RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January Photo
RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025

The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released digitally on January 9, 2026.
Tony Awards Administration Committee Meets to Determine Eligibility for '25-26 Season Photo
Tony Awards Administration Committee Meets to Determine Eligibility for '25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 20, 2025

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met to confirm the eligibility status of nine Broadway productions for the 2025-2026 season. This was the first time this season that the Tony Awards Administration Committee met.
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Original Broadway Cast Recording Out on CD Photo
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Original Broadway Cast Recording Out on CD
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025

Center Stage Records has released the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical on CD. The album is also available in streaming and digital formats.
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre Photo
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.
RAGTIME Extends on Broadway Due to Demand Photo
RAGTIME Extends on Broadway Due to Demand
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has extended performances by popular demand through June 14, 2026.
Seattle Opera To Premiere Huang Ruo And James Schamus’ New Opera THE WEDDING BANQUE Photo
Seattle Opera To Premiere Huang Ruo And James Schamus’ New Opera THE WEDDING BANQUET
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2025

Seattle Opera announced it will present the world premiere of The Wedding Banquet, a new comic opera by composer Huang Ruo and librettist James Schamus, inspired by Ang Lee’s beloved 1993 film.
Listen: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Broadway Cast Recording is Available to Stream Photo
Listen: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL Broadway Cast Recording is Available to Stream Now
by Stephi Wild - Oct 17, 2025

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical is available in streaming and digital formats now. Listen to the full album and find out how to pre-order the CD here!
Review Roundup: RAGTIME Returns to Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: RAGTIME Returns to Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 17, 2025

The curtain has risen on Ragtime, now running at Lincoln Center Theater on Broadway. Read all the reviews to see what the critics had to say about the new revival, directed by Lear deBessonet.
Alex Brightman & Sara Chase Will Lead SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway Photo
Alex Brightman & Sara Chase Will Lead SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 15, 2025

Schmigadoon has found its leading players! Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) and Sara Chase (The Great Gatsby) will reprise their roles of Josh Skinner and Melissa Gimble in the Broadway production of Schmigadoon! Brightman and Chase originated the roles in The Kennedy Center production earlier this year.
Review: Spectacular Nadine Sierra Shines in Villazon’s Somnambulant SONNAMBULA by B Photo
Review: Spectacular Nadine Sierra Shines in Villazon’s Somnambulant SONNAMBULA by Bellini
by Richard Sasanow - Oct 7, 2025

Sometimes great singing can save a bad production. It happened with the Met’s previous attempt at Bellini’s LA SONNAMBULA, which had been DOA at its premiere, despite a star, cast but rose like a phoenix when it was revived with other stars a year later. This time around, in the misguided, often silly take under the direction of the former tenor Rolando Villazon, soprano Nadine Sierra tried her considerable best as Amina to bring it to life but Villazon was a problem that her great singing couldn’t totally surmount.
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace Photo
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!
The Met: Live In HD Season Opens With LA SONNAMBULA Photo
The Met: Live In HD Season Opens With LA SONNAMBULA
by Stephi Wild - Oct 2, 2025

The Metropolitan Opera's new production of Bellini's La Sonnambula marks the beginning of the 19th season of The Met: Live in HD, with Nadine Sierra making her company role debut as Amina and Xabier Anduaga in his company role debut as Elvino
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway Photo
Video: THE LION KING Celebrates 11,000 Performances on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2025

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL OBC Recording to Have October Release Photo
PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL OBC Recording to Have October Release
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2025

Center Stage Records will release the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Pirates! The Penzance Musical next month. Learn more about the album and see how to stream here!
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago Photo
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), David D’Lancy Wilson (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Robert Creighton (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Gilbert Domally (Simba), and more.
Video: THE LION KING's Tshidi Manye Takes Her Historic Final Bow as 'Rafiki' Photo
Video: THE LION KING's Tshidi Manye Takes Her Historic Final Bow as 'Rafiki'
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

Watch a video of Tshidi Manye, who played Rafiki in Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway for over 9,000 performances, take her final bow on Sunday after being a part of the production for 25 years.
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki Photo
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye.
Review: Disney’s THE LION KING Brings the Circle of Life to Vancouver Photo
Review: Disney’s THE LION KING Brings the Circle of Life to Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - Aug 31, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King musical is playing in Vancouver, BC for a limited four-week engagement at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from August 20 to September 14.
THE LION KING's Longest-Running Rafiki, Tshidi Manye, to Depart the Show Photo
THE LION KING's Longest-Running Rafiki, Tshidi Manye, to Depart the Show
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 27, 2025

After 9,000 performances as Rafiki in The Lion King, Tshidi Manye is set to depart the Broadway production. Learn more about Manye and about The Lion King here.
THE LION KING Tour Welcomes New Mufasa and Simba Photo
THE LION KING Tour Welcomes New Mufasa and Simba
by Stephi Wild - Aug 26, 2025

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa and Gilbert Domally as Simba. Wilson and Domally will begin performances on Tuesday, September 23 in Portland, OR at Keller Auditorium.
More News

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What awards has Donald Holder been nominated for?

Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Paradise Square, Design Award (Obie Awards) for He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for My Fair Lady, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Oslo, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for She Loves Me, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The King and I, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Bridges of Madison County, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Golden Boy, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for South Pacific, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Cyrano de Bergerac, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for South Pacific, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gem of the Ocean , Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Streetcar Named Desire, Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for Gem of the Ocean, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Violet Hour, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Observe the Sons of Ulster , Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Movin' Out, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Movin' Out, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie , Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Jitney, Best Lighting Designer (Olivier Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Green Bird , Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Best Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for The Lion King, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lion King, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Juan Darient: A Carnival Mass, Best Lighting Design (Tony Awards) for Juan Darien and Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Stand Up For Tragedy.

What awards has Donald Holder won?

Donald Holder has received numerous awards for his lighting design work. He won the Design Award at the Obie Awards for He Brought Her Heart Back in a Box. He received the Lighting Design award at The Hewes Awards for Cyrano de Bergerac, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, South Pacific, and The Lion King. Holder earned Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific and also Best Lighting Design at the Tony Awards for The Lion King. His work was honored with Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for The Violet Hour, Observe the Sons of Ulster, Movin' Out, and The Lion King. Additionally, he won Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortel Awards for Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. Holder also received Best Lighting Design from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King.

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