Miniature Lion King Stage for teaching positions.
Oak Park Journal photo

This morning the press was invited to a rehearsal performance of the new
company that will be performing Disney's "the Lion King".
Bob Amaral as “Pumbaa” has just recently come in from California to play
the role of Pumbaa, the flatulent warthog.  Bob Amaral was playing the Lion
in the Wizard of Oz at the Rodondo Beach Performing Arts Center before
he came to Chicago.  When you listen to his voice he sounds a lot like
Nathan Lane, and that's no accident, its good fortune.  Mr. Amaral has
had the assignment in the past of being an understudy for Mr. Lane.

The Lion King is shown with 5 different forms of Simba, some small,
some large and some as puppets.  The human is always exposed in the
designs by Julie Taymor.  Ms. Taymor, chose to always have the
human behind the costume be visible to the perfomance, it helps to
show the spirit of the production.  She was trying to bring the allegory
to the stage, and with nearly 10 companies performing around the world
at this time, the allegory of the world being one universal spirit is reaching
nearly around the world.

30%  of the performers are from Chicago.  There are 6 South African
members and the Zulu sung,  is the only language that is not translated
to the country of performance.  The video version of the Lion King
has been translated to 32 different languages.
 

Costume Designs drawn to illustrate wear and use.
Oak Park Journal photo
 

Tony Award winning Choreographer Mr. Garth Fagan
and Tony Award winning Producer Mr.Thomas Schumacher
answer questions about dance and song.
Oak Park Journal photo

Chorus Singing Star Thandi Soni.
Oak Park Journal photo
 

Chorus Singing Star Thandi Soni.
Oak Park Journal photo

This should be a wonderful show and received well in Chicago.
Tickets are going fast and there are already talks being held to
extend the performance, which is currently at 9 months.  If CATS
can run 9 years in New York...the Lion King should be able to
eat any Cat and run longer.....  I would buy my tickets soon though.

Photo by Joan Marcus

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR
DISNEY’S “THE LION KING”
BROADWAY’S AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL

CHICAGO’S LIMITED PREMIERE ENGAGEMENT
BEGINS APRIL 23, 2003 AT CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE
 

Photo by Joan Marcus

CHICAGO (February 25, 2003) — Casting has been announced for the
Chicago engagement of DISNEY’S “THE LION KING.” Chicago’s most
eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Cadillac Palace
stage from April 23, 2003 to November 23, 2003.  The press opening
night is May 3, 2003 at 6:30 PM.  This brand new company is the ninth
production worldwide after New York, Tokyo, Osaka, London, Toronto,
Los Angeles, Hamburg and the U.S. National Tour.

The cast totals 48 performers, most of whom are performing the show
for their first time. Approximately thirty percent of the assembled company
are Chicago performers.  Heading up this new production will be Chicago
native Larry Yando, playing “Scar.” Reprising the role of “Mufasa” from
the Los Angeles production will be Rufus Bonds, Jr.  South African
Thandi Soni will play “Rafiki.” “Timon” will be played by Benjamin Clost.
Chicago native Derek Hasenstab will portray “Zazu.” Other principals
include: Bob Amaral as “Pumbaa”; Brandon Victor Dixon as “Simba”;
Adia Dobbins as “Nala”; Chicago native Melvin Abston as “Banzai”;
Shaullanda LaCombe as “Shenzi”; Brian Sills as “Ed”; Chicago natives
Alexander Bass and Maestro Harrell will be alternating the role of “Young
Simba”; and India Harris and Geffrimaya Hightower will be alternating
the role of “Young Nala.”

The rest of the ensemble includes: Quentin Darrington, Kelli David-Low,
Garland Days, Ntomb'khona Dlamini, Roberto Dos Santos, Semhar
Ghebremichael, Dejah Gomez, Kehinde Hart, Michael Henry, Shameika Hines,
Kenny Ingram, Hanifa Jackson, Iquail Johnson, Mark David Kaplan, Nqobile
Mbanjwa, Ray Mercer, Tamara Merritt, Kendra Moore, Thabile Mtshali,
Geoff Myers, Theresa Nguyen, Tueree Shard, Lubabalo Sibindlana, Jose
Silva, Keena Smith, Latamra Smith, Vusi Sondiyazi, Omari Tau, Jasond
Thomas, Jonathan Weir, Mariama Whyte, Marvette  Williams, Deanar
Ali Young.

Now in its sixth sold out year in New York at the New Amsterdam Theatre,
“THE LION KING” is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical,
eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York
Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the
Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award,
the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards
and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win
the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical.  Taymor, along with Michael
Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for “THE LION KING.”
Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume
design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book
has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene
Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for “THE LION KING.”  The score
features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with
three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African
Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

 “THE LION KING” will play at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.,
April 23 – November 23, 2003.

The performance schedule is as follows:
 

Wednesdays at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Fridays at 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 1:00 & 6:30 p.m.

Please note:  there will be special Tuesday 7:30 p.m. performances on
April 29, May 6, May 13 and July 1; the performance on Saturday,
May 3 will begin at 6:30 p.m.

 Tickets to “THE LION KING” are currently on sale for performances
April 23 through November 23, 2003.  Ticket prices for the engagement range
from $18 to $82.  VIP Ticket Packages range from $122 to $127.

Admission to the Sony Broadway In Chicago Suite is priced from $30
(available only with the VIP Ticket Package).  Tickets are available at all
Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (22 W. Monroe St., 24 W. Randolph St.
and 151 W. Randolph St.), by calling the Broadway In Chicago Ticketline
at (312) 902-1400, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including all
Carson Pirie Scott stores, Tower Records, Hot Tix, select Coconuts,
Record Town, fye stores and Camelot locations) or at ticketmaster.com.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more can be ordered by calling (312) 977-1710.

“THE LION KING” is part of the Neumann Homes Broadway In
Chicago 2003 Season Series.
 

Photo by Joan Marcus

The Chicago engagement of “THE LION KING” is sponsored by Bank One.