
The Lion King
BroadwayAbout the Show
Performance Calendar
Cast

Stephen Carlile
Scar
West End: Trimmingham in The Go-Between; The Producers original London cast; Phantom of the Opera; Snoopy! UK Regional Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (NT/Cameron Mackintosh),Twelfth Night, By Jeeves, Don Giovanni, Over My Shoulder. Europe: Magaldi in Evita. US Tour: Captain Hook in Peter Pan 360. Film: Brideshead Revisited, Bright Young Things.

Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi
Rafiki
Ntsepa is thrilled to make her Broadway. Originally from Mokopane in Limpopo, she earned a National Diploma in Drama from Tshwane University (South Africa) and performed in children’s theater shows including Peter Pan and Little Red Riding Hood. She has performed in The Lion King around the world including the Las Vegas, Brazil, China, UK tour, West End, and Paris companies

L. Steven Taylor
Mufasa
L. Steven Taylor is excited to rejoin the Broadway company of The Lion King after traveling with the national tour, during which time he had the honor of performing at The White House. NYC/Regional: Ataria, Cutman, G word, Miss Saigon, Songs For A New World, Godspell, A Chorus Line. Film and Television: “The Electric Company” (Leo Watson), “Last of The Ninth” (HBO Pilot), Made For Each Other, Expiration Date, Game Over. Always for Granny and Boogie.

Cameron Pow
Zazu
Cameron rejoins the Broadway company having previously performed in the London and First National Touring productions of The Lion King. Off-Broadway: The 39 Steps (Union Square Theatre), Accidentally Like A Martyr (Other Side Productions), Comedy of Errors, King Lear, The Iliad-Book One (Aquila Theatre Company). Regional/Touring: Henry V, Julius Caesar, Art, The Tempest, The Wrath of Achilles, Oedipus. TV: “The Good Fight,” “Blindspot,” “The Blacklist,” “Person of Interest,” “Falling Water,” “Deception,” “Pan Am,” “Basile” (Pilot), “OM-City” (Web Series – 2016 Tribeca Film Festival). Film: Henry, The Dead Part of You, The Tramps New World.

Ben Jeffrey
Pumbaa
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 (Acting/Musical Theatre) is from Abilene Christian University, where credits included Jane Eyre and Seussical. TV: “The Good Wife,” “Louie.” Endless thanks to God, his incomparable wife and the family.

Fred Berman
Timon
Broadway: The Lion King. Off-Broadway: The Normal Heart, Shockheaded Peter, Bury the Dead, Room Service, The Vocal Lords. Regional: NSMT, Paper Mill, Geva, New Repertory, Cleveland Playhouse. Tours: The Buddy Holly Story, White Christmas. Film/TV: Putzel, Twelve Thirty, A Very Special Episode, “New Amsterdam,” “Forever,” “Smash,” “L&O,” “L&O: CI,” “Daily Pops,” “All My Children.” Directing: Trans Am (Keegan Theatre). Podcasts: Opening Weekend. Award-winning narrator of over 300 audio books. Love to Kate, Benjamin and Isabella! For Mom and Dad.

Vincent Jamal Hooper
Simba
Broadway debut! Vincent has performed around the world in multiple companies of Hamilton (including in Puerto Rico alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda) playing the roles of Hamilton, Burr, Lafayette/Jefferson, George Washington and KGIII. Off-Broadway: White Girl in Danger. Regional: Passing Strange, In the Heights, The Great Society, Hairspray. TV/Film: “Chicago Med” (NBC), “Shots Fired” (FOX), and “American Crime” (ABC).

Pearl Khwezi
Nala
From Durban South Africa, Pearl performed in The Lion King Madrid (2016-2018). She also toured with the KZN Youth Choir (2012-2015) competing in Poland and Italy where she won best female soloist in the Florence International Choir Festival (2013).

James Brown-Orleans
Banzai
James Brown-Orleans 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. He is also the founder of Protected by Imagination Inc. “media to inspire.” Check out his website to find out more about his passion to empower.

Bonita J. Hamilton
Shenzi
A native of Montgomery, AL. Bonita is a proud graduate of Alabama State University and Brandeis University (MFA). She is overjoyed and grateful to be a part of this talented cast. Credits: NYC/ Regional: Mandela the Musical (staged reading), The Color Purple (workshop), Guys and Dolls, The Piano Lesson, The Old Settler and In the Blood. TV: “The Knick” (HBO). Bonita is a voiceover artist and can be heard on film, podcasts, commercials and animated series. Many Thanks to God, my family, Dr. Tommie (Tonea) Stewart, my husband Neil Caesar and our lovely children Nia and Noah.

Robb Sapp
Ed, Understudy (Zazu, Timon)
Robb is overjoyed to return to The Lion King, having previously appeared in the 1st National, North American and Las Vegas companies. Broadway: Wicked (Boq), Shrek (Pinocchio). Off-Broadway: Happiness (Lincoln Center); Enter Laughing (cast recording); Disaster!; Zanna, Don’t! (cast recording); Johnny Guitar (cast recording). Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed, The MUNY, Music Theatre Wichita, Syracuse Stage, Barrington Stage Company, Bristol Riverside, ACT of CT, Ogunquit Playhouse. Other: Saturday Night Fever (1st National Tour). Robb holds a BFA from Syracuse University.

Annika Reese Franklin
Young Nala at certain performances
Annika is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut! She would like to thank her friends and family, teachers, and agent and manager for their love and support. She is also grateful to Disney, the casting team, and the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando for believing in her.

Austin Elle Fisher
Young Nala at certain performances
Austin Elle Fisher made her Broadway debut at age 9 as Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire and played Marta von Trapp in The Sound of Music at Paper Mill Playhouse. TV/Film credits include “Atlanta” as Lottie, “Manifest”, “Kaleidoscope”, “Blue Bloods” and more. Love and gratitude to family, CESD and Rebel Creative Group.

Jacob Pham
Young Simba at certain performances
Jacob is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut. Credits: A Christmas Story at CTGLA; Sesame Street, voiceovers for Disney & Nickelodeon. Special thanks to Lisa Calli, DDO Artist Agency, Emilia Sargent, Orlando Pena, Seth Travaglino, his parents, sister Emma and family/friends for believing in him!

Nhlanhla Ngobeni
Ensemble, Understudy (Mufasa)
Nhlanhla is an actor, voice over artist, song writer and singer with 10 years backing vocalist experience. He’s multilingual and performed on numerous international stages. 2013-2014 he was in The Lion King Brazil cast.

Ezekiel Andrew
Ensemble, Understudy (Mufasa)
Overjoyed to be making his Broadway debut! Regional: Ragtime, Big River, Beauty and the Beast. Thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and to all my friends and family who’ve supported me along the way.

Marcus Williams
Ensemble
Dallas, TX native making his Broadway debut! He was in the Emmy-Winning cast of The Let Go at the Park Avenue Armory and a previous company member with Phantom of the Opera (world tour), Ailey II, Philadanco and Fire Shut Up in My Bones (MET Opera and Chicago Lyric Theatre). Williams thanks God, family and friends for helping him get here.

Bongi Duma
Ensemble
Bongi Duma was born in Durban, South Africa. Credits: Africa Africa; Mighty Zulu Nation across England, Italy and Ireland. Composer: Generations (Drama Desk Nom.). Thanks to African heroes Ian Sotrey, Duma Ndlovu, Lebo M and my beautiful Mother. Original cast, The Lion King (Germany).

Marquise Hitchcock
Ensemble
Dancer/Choreographer: Tituss Burgess, Billboard, Netflix. NYC/Regional Theater: A Chorus Line (Richie); Legally Blonde (Warner); Hairspray (Seaweed); Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Take Me to the World (Carnegie Hall); Silueta: A New Musical (Ian). TV: “POSE.” Founder of TFC Training.

Shawn Alynda Fisher
Ensemble
Broadway debut! National Tours: Fela!; The Prom (1st National). Favorite Regional: Chicago, The Music Man (Zaneeta), Anne of Green Gables, Bring it On (world premiere). A Kansas native. Alumna of The Ailey School and Kansas State University. Endless gratitude to Jesus, family and friends! Matthew 5:16

James Vessell
Ensemble
Broadway debut! Credits: Chicago 25th Anniversary Tour, Memphis the Musical and Dreamgirls (POTS). Dancer with Ballet Memphis and Tallahassee Ballet. Wayne State University; BFA dance major. Endless thanks to my family, my partner and the HK Agency!

Paige Fraser-Hoffman
Ensemble
A Bronx native. Paige is graduate of Ailey/Fordham BFA. She is a Princess Grace Award recipient (2016) and Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” (2017). Dance Companies: AileyII, Visceral Dance Chicago and Deeply Rooted. TV/Commercial: Intel, ESPN, Elle Magazine, Empire (FOX). Theatre: West Side Story (Lyric Opera) and The Lion King Rafiki Tour. She is thrilled to be making her Broadway debut in The Lion King.

Daphne Marcelle Lee
Ensemble
Rahway, NJ. Graduate: Hollins University, MFA. Ailey/Fordham, BFA. Television: “WuTang: An American Saga” (Hulu). Credits: Dance Theatre of Harlem, Collage Dance Collective, Ailey II. Thanks God, family and friends. In memory of mom, June Skeete-Lee.

Jamaris Mitchell
Ensemble
From Syracuse, NY. Excited to make her Broadway debut! Fav credits: Ailey II, FX Pose, 2017 Vogue Collections, Dance Spirit Magazine. Jamaris is thankful for the love and support of her family and friends!

S’bu Ngema
Ensemble
S’bu Ngema, from South Africa, Zululand, is very excited to join The Lion King on Broadway. Credits:Sarafina with M’Bongeni Ngema, I Pintombi with Bertha Egnos. His performances are dedicated to his mother Sibongile. Love always.

Tatiana Nuñez
Ensemble
Broadway Debut! Credits: West Side Story (Muny), Rondine (Met Opera), BalletCollective, Deeply Rooted, ADM21. TV/Film: “Ally Bank.” Graduate: NYU Tisch. Thank you, Mom, Crystal, Abuela, That’s Dancing, Caroline and CESD!

Leanne Antonio
Ensemble
(HCKR Agency, Thruline entertainment) THE LION KING (Broadway/National Tour) BLACK NO MORE (Off-Broadway) PRIVATE JONES (Signature Theater). BFA in Musical Theater from the University of Michigan. Thank you to my beautiful family, friends, team and God.

Ray Mercer
Ensemble
Ray Mercer, an Omaha, NE native, comes directly from The Lion King Cheetah tour. Danced with Deeply Rooted/Chicago and George Faison and has toured with Aretha Franklin. Thanks to family and friends for their love and support.

Adrianne Chu
Ensemble
Is excited to be back at the Pridelands! National Tours: The Lion King, 1st National Tour Finding Neverland (Wendy), LCT’s The King and I. International: Mamma Mia! (RCCL). Marymount Manhattan College, BFA Dance. Thank you to her family, Max, DHA and friends for their love and support.

Derrick Davis
Ensemble
Company (Larry); The Secret Garden (Archibald); Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom); The Lion King (Mufasa); Carousel (Billy Bigelow u/s); The Tap Dance Kid (William u/ s); The Little Mermaid (King Triton); I Dream (MLK); Dreamgirls (Curtis Taylor Jr.); Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker Jr.)

Andrew Arrington
Swing, Understudy (Banzai & Ed)
Regional premiere of Kander & Ebb’s Scottsboro Boys. The Lion King Las Vegas. Nat’l tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: Showboat (Carnegie Hall), Godspell (workshop), Disney’s High School Musical 2, Respect (NYSAF). TV: CBS “My Broadway Debut.” University of Michigan.

TyNia René Brandon
Ensemble, Understudy (Nala, Sarabi, & Shenzi)
Charlotte, NC native. Grateful to be part of The Lion King company. Other Broadway Credits: Some Like It Hot; The Heart of Rock and Roll; Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

Lindiwe Dlamini
Ensemble, Understudy (Shenzi)
Lindiwe Dlamini, an original cast member, has appeared in Sarafina! (Broadway and national tour). Performances: Radio City Music Hall, Pocahontas in Central Park, Grover Washington, “Arsenio,” “David Letterman,” “Jay Leno,” 1998 Tony Awards® and Essence Awards.

Antonia Raye
Ensemble, Understudy (Shenzi)
Thrilled to make her Broadway Debut! Favorite credits: A Chorus Line (CPIP), West Side Story (Lyric Opera, Teatro Lirico di Cagliari), Cabaret (Goodspeed), After Midnight (NCL). Training: The University of the Arts/BFA. Thank you to God, family, friends and my agents at CESD.

Gilbert Domally
Ensemble, Understudy (Simba)
Gilbert is making his Broadway Debut! Regional credits include: The Muny, Steppenwolf, Yale Rep. Gilbert is grateful to God for every opportunity to do what he loves, and to his family and friends for their unending support!

Jim Ferris
Standby Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa
This adorable, middle-aged man has been in multiple companies of The Lion King. Seen in many Film/TV roles, you may recognize Jim as “that short guy from that show”. He is the Producer of the hit, comedy podcast: “Dear Pod” and is married to standup comedian and goodtime gal, Erin Maguire.

Tony Freeman
Standby Scar, Timon, Pumbaa, Zazu
Has played Zazu on Broadway and across the country for over 3,000 performances. He did Tony Kushner’s musical Caroline, or Change in Los Angeles and San Francisco with the original Broadway cast. Tony has performed guest roles on both “Law and Order” (twice) and “Law and Order, SVU.”

Daniel Harder
Ensemble, Understudy (Ed)
Originally from Bowie, MD, Daniel graduated from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program and performed extensively across the U.S. and abroad with the Ailey company for ten years. He has worked with Debbie Allen, Donald McKayle, Christopher L. Huggins and Camille A. Brown.

Jaysin McCollum
Ensemble, Understudy (Ed)
Cincinnati, OH native. Dance: Charlotte Ballet, Chautauqua Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, DCDC. Broadway: The Lion King, original cast of The Lion King Las Vegas. Regional: Oklahoma! (Dream Jud). TV: The Emmy Awards, “Dancing with the Stars.”

Michael Alexander Henry
Ensemble, Understudy (Mufasa & Scar)
Born in the West Indies, Michael earned a Theatre degree from Penn State University. Broadway: The Lion King. International Tours: Hair. Regional: Once on This Island, Chess. Film and TV: “For the People.”

Antwaun Holley
Swing, Understudy (Simba)
Debut. Cleveland, Ohio native. Credits: Ain’t Too Proud, Book of Mormon, Lin Manuel’s 21 Chump Street, Youth in Passing Strange and Jackie in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party. Training: Baldwin Wallace Conservatory.

Michael Hollick
Standby Scar, Pumbaa, Zazu
Broadway: Tarzan, Jumpers. National Tour: The Lion King. Off-Broadway: Fuerza Bruta, De La Guarda. TV: “Law & Order,” “Sex and the City,” “Guiding Light,” “Hawaii Five-O.” Regional: The Wilma, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh CLO, Great Lakes Theatre Festival. BFA, Carnegie Mellon. Michael starred as Niko Bellic in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV. Love to my wife Angela and our little cubs Max and Eva.

Alia Kache
Swing/Dance Captain
A choreographer, dance educator and costume designer, Alia is pleased to return to the Broadway company of The Lion King. Favorite credits include Ailey II (dancer and rehearsal director), Camille A. Brown & Dancers, CeDeCe (Alcobaça, Portugal), and Metropolitan Opera.

Youngsil Kim
Swing
Originally from Japan. Graduated from Joffrey Ballet School. Youngsil has danced with Complexions for five seasons. Off-Broadway: Company XIV. 1st National tour of Anastasia the Musical. Much love to my family, friends and Andrew.

Sihle Ngema
Swing
Left Show: Nov 24, 2024
A South African native. Theater: The Lion King (Australia, China, Gazelle national tour), Dance Through Me, Mama, Woza My Fohloza, Jika Majika the Musical. TV: “Code Black,” “X Factor” (Australia), Nelson Mandela’s 80th Birthday Celebration.

Amanda Kunene
Ensemble, Understudy (Rafiki & Nala)
Amanda Kunene is an South African singer, actress and performer. Born in Durban, South Africa. BA Music and Drama Studies graduate and BA Honors in Music Performance graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College campus.

Mduduzi Madela
Ensemble, Understudy (Simba & Banzai)
Born and raised in Durban, South Africa. Has a profound passion for music. Acclaimed for successfully producing a debut album sung in French, Zulu and Creole. Ideal: No level of satisfaction.
Christopher L. McKenzie Jr.
Dance Captain, Swing, Understudy (Ed)
Native of Miami. Training: New World School of the Arts, The Ailey School. Credits: Dallas Black Dance Theatre, “Festival of The Lion King”, The Lion King Gazelle & Rafiki Tour. Thank you to my husband & family.

Phindi Wilson
Ensemble, Understudy (Rafiki)
(South African) Sang in the 1994 movie soundtrack; played Rafiki in The Lion King, 1st National Tour. Performed at the 25th Anniversary of The Lion King and in HZL Tour, 2024. Award nominee for “Rafiki” (The Lion King Tour) at The Helen Hayes Awards, Washington D.C.

Nteliseng Nkhela
Ensemble, Understudy (Rafiki)
Left Show: Oct 20, 2024 Succeeded by Phindi Wilson
Nteliseng is honored to be making her Broadway debut and joins directly from the Hamburg company of The Lion King. Other credits include Miriam Makeba in The Journey (Zurich), Brenda Fassie in Memeba (Johannesburg) and I’m African (Welkom).

Jacqueline René
Swing, Understudy (Sarabi, Shenzi, & Nala)
Credits: The Lion King (Gazelle and Cheetah companies), Aida (Aida), Rent (Mimi & Joanne Cover), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlaine), The Wiz (Dorothy), Once on this Island (Andrea), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (National Tour).

Dylan Santos
Ensemble Dancer
From Bahia, Brazil. Youth American Grand Prix finalist/scholarship recipient, training at Houston Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, and Joffrey Ballet. Lead dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem. Passionate about giving back to the dance community.

Kaylin Seckel
Ensemble, Understudy (Sarabi, Nala)
Broadway debut! Nat’l tour: The Lion King; Something Rotten! (Ensemble, u/s Bea). Regional Favorites: Ragtime (Actor’s Playhouse), The Pirates of Penzance (freeFall Theatre). TV: “The Vampire Diaries”, “Red Band Society”. FSU grad. Endless gratitude to my family.

Derrick Spear
Swing, Understudy (Ed)
Overjoyed to be making his Broadway debut with The Lion King. Companies: The Lion King Las Vegas and North American tour (Gazelle), Washington Reflection Dance Company, National Ballet of San Domingo. I would like to thank my parents, family and friends for their constant and overflowing prayers and support! Peace and Love!

Sidney Nicole Wilson
Sarabi, Ensemble, Understudy (Nala)
Broadway Debut! Regional: Jelly’s Last Jam (Hunnie). TV/Film: “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”. Sidney is a proud graduate of Elon University ’21. Many thanks to God, her family, CGF and all who have poured into her life.