PRESENTS
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LONG LIVE THE KING
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The Lion King | Program
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CONTENTS
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OVERVIEW
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STORY
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CAST
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ENSEMBLE
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ORCHESTRA
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PROGRAM
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CREATIVE TEAM
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THE VENUE
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The Lion King | Program
Original Poster deigned by Fraver for opening night
OVERVIEW
(Nov 17, 1997)
THEATER
IMPORTANT DATES
Minskoff Theater
Preview Oct 15, 1997
200 West 45th Street New York, NY 10036
Opening Nov 17, 1997
DURATION 2hrs, 30mins
CATEGORIES
1 Intermission
Musicals Kid-Friendly
AUDIENCE The Lion King is not
Dance Award Winning
intended for children under 4. The show is recommended for ages 8+
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STORY 10
The Lion King | Program
A lively stage adaptation of the Award-winning 1994 Disney film, The Lion King is the story of a young lion prince living in the flourishing African Pride Lands. Born into the royal family, precocious cub Simba spends his days exploring the sprawling savanna grasslands and idolizing his kingly father, Mufasa, while youthfully shirking the responsibility his position in life requires. When an unthinkable tragedy, orchestrated by Simba’s wicked uncle, Scar, takes his father’s life, Simba flees the Pride Lands, leaving his loss and the life he knew behind. Eventually companioned by two hilarious and unlikely friends, Simba starts anew. But when weight of responsibility and a desperate plea from the now ravaged Pride Lands come to find the adult prince, Simba must take on a formidable enemy, and fulfill his destiny to be king. A vibrant and exciting tale from the great creatives at Disney, The Lion King is a story of love and redemption that nobody should miss.
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In order of appereance
TSHIDI MANYE
RAFIKI
STEVEN TAYLOR MUFASA
TRYPHENA WADE
CAST
SARABI
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CAMERON POW ZAZU
LEFT TO RIGHT - TOP TO BOTTOM
TSHIDI: toured Europe and Japan with M. Bongeni Ngema in the hit musical Sarafina. Other stage credits: Rafiki in the Broadway and Toronto productions of The Lion King, Daughter of Nebo by Hillary Bletcher. STEVE: Is excited to rejoin The
STEPHEN CARLILE
Broadway Company of The Lion King after traveling with The
SCAR
National Tour, during which time he had the honor of performing at The White House. NYC/Regional: Ataria. TRYPHENA: is a multi-dimensional artist from Columbus, Ohio and a proud graduate of Howard University. She has studied, performed, and explored over 30 countries. CAMERON: rejoins the Broadway company having previously
CHINUA BARAKA
performed in the West End and 1st National Touring productions of The
YOUNG SIMBA
Lion King. Other West End: 2008 Royal Variety Performance STEPHEN: Trimmingham in The Go-Between; The Producers original London cast; Phantom of the Opera; Snoopy! UK Regional Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady. CHINUA: You may have seen his face on toy boxes or in ads. You may have heard his voice for Nick
SURI MARRERO
Jr. promos, commercials, or as Lum-
YOUNG NAL A
ba in the animated film Zarafa. SURI: an 8-year-old from New Jersey, is honored to make her Broadway debut in The Lion King. Other stage credits: High School Musical and Madeline’s Christmas with KOTA. BONITA: Broadway debut. Hallelujah! A native of Montgomery, AL, Bonita is overjoyed to join
BONITA HAMILTON
this talented cast. Credits: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Guys and Dolls, The
SHENZI
Piano Lesson, The Old Settler and In the Blood.
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LEFT TO RIGHT - TOP TO BOTTOM
JAMES: originated the role of Banzai on The Lion King Gazelle Tour and is thrilled to be part of the Broadway company. James can be seen as Doc Motors in Disney’s The Princess Diaries. ENRIQUE: “¡Arriba y Adleante!” Enrique is delighted to make his Broadway debut after appearing
JAMES BROWN
in German productions of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast,
BANZAI
Cats and Joseph…. Other credits include Cats (national tour), West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Grease (regional) FRED: Broadway debut. Off-Broadway: Bury the Dead, Room Service, Shockheaded Peter, The Normal Heart, The Vocal Lords. Nat’l tour: The Buddy Holly Story. Regional: North Shore Music Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, O’Neill Theater,
ENRIQUE SEGURA
Geva Theatre, Huntington Theatre
ED
BEN: is pumped to be making his Broadway debut! Ben holds an MFA (Acting) from Rutgers University, where credits included Antigone, Romeo and Juliet, In the Sawtooths and more. His BFA is from Abilene Christian University. BRADLEY: A Bronx Tale, Rocky. Off-Broadway: Love’s Labour’s Lost (The Public Theater), The School
FRED BERMAN
For Scandal (Red Bull Theater). National Tour: Chicago. Regional: The Last Goodbye (Old Globe). TV: “Mo-
TIMON
zart In The Jungle.” Training: Boston Conservatory. Endless thanks to my amazing family, friends. SYNDEE: is thrilled to be back in the Pridelands. Broadway: The Lion King (Nala); Pippin (Player); Motown: the Musical (Mary Wells) and Hamilton: An American Musical (The Schuyler Sisters). Her debut album “Lessons from a Lady” is available now at The Lion King
BEN JEFFREY
merchandise kiosk
PUMBA A
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The Lion King | Program
BRADLEY GIBSON
SIMBA
SYNDEE WINTERS
NAL A
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REMEMBER
WH
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YOU ARE
The Lion King | Program
R
HO
E
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SINGERS
ENSEMBLE
PIA HAMILTON
JAMAL HARRIS
MICHAEL HENRY
HAFINA JACKSON
JASON LEWIS
SHARON LYNN
RAY MERCER
BRIAN BINION
INDIA BOLDS
S’BU NGEMA
NTELIESENG NKHELA
DONNA MICHELLE
ZURIN VILLANUEVE
LISA LEWIS
JAYSIN MCCOLLUM
JIM FERRIS
JAQUELINE RENE
BONGI DUMA
JOEL KARIE
DANCERS
ZINHLE DUBE
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SANDY ALVAREZ
CAMERON AMANDUS
LAMAR BAYLOR
MICHAEL HOLICK
KYLE LAMAR
NATALIE TURNER
KELLEN STANCIL
BRAVITA THEATT
MDU MADELA
DERRICK DAVIS
ANDRE JACKSON
SWINGS & UNDERSTUDIES
ANGELICA EDWARDS
SPECIALTIES Circle of Life Vocals: Mdu Madela, S’bu Ngema; Mouse Shadow Puppet: Joel Karie; Ant Hill Lady: Danna Michelle; Guinea Fowl: Devin L. Roberts; Buzzard Pole: Christopher Freeman; Gazelle Wheel: Pia Hamilton; Gazelle: Jaysin McCollum; Lioness Chant Vocal: S’bu Ngema: Acrobatic Trickster: Ray Mercer; Still Giraffe Cross: Elisha Bowman; Giraffe Shadow Puppets: Michael Henry, Mdu Madela; Chettah: Lisa Lewis; Scar Shadow Puppets: Michael Henry, Nhlanhla Ngobeni, Mdu Madela; Simba Shadow Puppets: S’bu Ngema, Joel Karie, Bongi Duma; One By One Vocals: Bongi Duma, Pearl Khwezi; One By One Dance: Bongi Duma, S’bu Ngema, Nhlanhla Ngobeni; Fireflies: Sharon Lynn; Pumba Pole Puppet: Devin L. Roberts; Nala Pole Puppet: Lisa Lewis; Lioness/Hyena Shadow Puppets: Lindiwe Dlamini, Zinhle Dube, Bongi Duma, Pearl Khezi, Nteliseng Nkhela, Zurin Villanueva.
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ORCHESTRA Karl Juman
Paul Ascenzo
Rolando Morales-Matos
Conductor
Keybord 3
Percussion 2
Assistant Conductor
(classical / world percussion)
Allen Farhnan
Assistant Conductor
Keybord 1
Junior “Gabu” Wedderburn
Sean Carney Concertmaster Michael Keller Music Coordinator GUITAR John Benthal Ukulele
Percussion 3 FRENCH HORN
(world percussion)
Patrick Millando French Horn 1 Alexandra Cook French Horn 2
MARIMBA Valerie Naranjo Marimba 1 (principal)
Kalimba
Gregory Smith
Electric & Acoustic Guitar
French Horn 3
BASS
DRUMS
Julie Dupres
Thomas Barney
Carten McLean
Marimba 3
Upright & Electric Bass
Drums
FLUTE & CLARINET
Thomas Brett Marimba 2
Bongo
FIRST VIOLIN
Electronic Drums
Avril Brown Violin
David Weizz Piccolo
TUBA & BASS TROMBONE
Flute
Rock Ciccarone
Ethnic Reeds
Trombone
Robert Debellis
George Lynn
SECOND VIOLIN & VIOLA
Flute
Tuba
Junah Chung
Clarinet
Bass Trombone
Violin & Viola
Bass Clarinet
Catherine Smith
KEYBORD Allen Farhnan
Tuba Bass Trombone
Kristof Witek Violin
CELLO Diane Barere Cello
Keybord 1
PERCUSSION
Eliana Mendonza
Cherie Rosen
Brian Murphy
Cello
Keybord 2
Percussion 1
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1 act
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Circle of Life Rafiki & Company
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Grasslands Chants Company
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The Morning Report Zazu, Young Simba, and Mufasa
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The Lioness Hunt Lionesses
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I Just Can’t Wait to Be King Young Simba, Young Nala, Zazu, and Ensemble
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Chow Down Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed
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They Live in You Mufasa & Company
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Be Prepared Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, and Company
PROGRAM
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The Stampede Company
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Rafiki Mourns Rafiki, Sarabi, Young Nala, Ensemble
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Hakuna Matata Timon, Pumbaa, Young Simba, Simba, and Ensemble
intermission between acts 1 & 2 (15 minutes)
act 2
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One by One Company
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The Madness of King Scar Scar, Zazu, Banzai, Shenzi, Ed and Nala
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Shadowland Nala and Compan
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Endless Night Simba and Company
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Can You Feel The Love Tonight Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Nala, and Company
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He Lives in You (Reprise) Rafiki, Simba and Company
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Simba Confronts Scar Instrumental
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King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise) The Company
SONG CREDITS All songs by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) expect as follows: Circle of Life: Elton John and Tim Rice with Nants Ingonyama: by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M; He Live in You (They Live in You): music & lyrics by Mark Mancina, Jay Rafkin and Lebo M; Nao Tse Tsa: music and lyrics by Jaques Loubelo; One by One: music and lyrics by Lebo M; Shadowland: music by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M, Lyrics by Mark Mancina and Lebo M; Endless Night: music by Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, and Jay Rafkins, lyrics by Julie Taymor; King of Pride Rock: music by Hans Zimmer, lyrics by Lebo M.
ADDITIONAL SCORE Grasslands Chant and Lioness Chant by Lebo M; Rafiki’s chant by Tsidii Le Loka
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LO IS
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W
OVE WHERE
WE ARE Disney Theatrical Group
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CREATIVE TEAM
PRODUCTION
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GARTH FAGAN
RICHARD HUDSON
DONALD HOLDER
Choreographer
Scene Design
Lighting Design
MICHAEL CURRY
MICHAEL WARD
ROBERT ELHAI
Mask & Puppet Design
Hair & Makeup
Associate Producer
DAVID METZER
BRUCE FOWLER
MAREY GRIFFITH
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
Associate Choreographer
JOHN STEFANIUK
STEVE CANYON
CLEMENT ISHMAEL
Associate Director
Sound Design
Musical Supervisor
AUTHORS
ELTON JOHN
TIM RICE
JULIE TAYMOR
Music
Lyrics
Director, Costume, Mask & Puppet Design.
ROGERS ALLERS
IRENE MECCHI
MARK MANCINA
Book
Book
Additional Music, Lyrics & Score for the stage
JAY RIFKIN
HANS ZIMMER
LEBO M.
Additional Music & Lyrics.
Additional Music & Lyrics.
Additional Music & Lyrics, Vocal Score, Choral Director
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MISKOFF THEATER Opened in 1973, the theatre was named for Sam Minskoff and Sons, one of New York’s distinguished real estate families. Situated in a high-rise building, the venue was innovative in its placement 35 feet above Broadway. More than 200 craftsmen and artisans worked nearly six months to extensively refurbish the Minskoff Theatre to welcome Disney’s The Lion King. Architectural designer Mariuca Brancoveanu has created a dramatic new environment that starts with the terrazzo walkway through the promenade into the theatre. The main lobby area features hand-painted, gold-leaf sculpted tableaus that adorn the theatre’s expansive interior walls and showcase its expledid panoramic views of Broadway.
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