Broadway's Lion King Welcomes New Young Simbas and Young Nalas

Dan Bacalzo

New York City

September 30, 2009

Alphonso Romero Jones II

Alphonso Romero Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez will alternate as Young Simba, while Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez will play Young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King, currently at the Minskoff Theatre. All four actors, aged 10 or 11, are making their Broadway debuts.

Rodriguez and Pimentel played their first performances last night, while Tavarez will make her first outing at tonight's performance and Jones will debut on October 1. The Tony Award-winning musical, directed by Julie Taymor, is adapted from Disney's popular animated movie of the same name.

The Broadway cast also currently features Derek Smith as Scar, Nathaniel Stampley as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, Danny Rutigliano as Timon, Dashaun Young as Simba, and Ta'rea Campbell as Nala. The three hyenas are played by James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), and Enrique Segura (Ed).

For more information, visit www.DisneyonBroadway.com.