Dashaun Young will play the role of Simba in the Broadway production of Disney’s The Lion King, at the Minskoff Theatre, beginning tonight, Wednesday May 16. He replaces Adam Jacobs, who is taking a brief hiatus from the production, with a return date scheduled for June 26.
Young has previously played the role of Simba on Broadway, North American tour, and most recently in the Las Vegas company. Among his other credits are the first national tour of Hairspray, the New York premiere of Legends, and regional productions of Hello, Dolly!, Aida, and Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
The Broadway cast also currently features Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, and Chauntee Schuler as Nala.
The three evil hyenas are played by James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi) and Enrique Segura (Ed). The role of Young Simba is alternated between Judah Bellamy and Niles Fitch and the role of Young Nala is alternated between Nia Ashleigh and Imani Dia Smith.
The Lion King is adapted from the Disney film of the same name. Director Julie Taymor and designer Michael Curry have created hundreds of masks and puppets for the show, which depict the anthropomorphic animal characters. The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice‘s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice.