Voel Je Hoe de Liefde Groeit

Carolina Dijkhuizen (Nala) and Gino Emnes (Simba) performing "Voel je hoe de liefde groeit" (Can you feel the love tonight?), for a special performance for a Dutch TV channel. Please note Gino was Simba in the original Hamburg cast.

Vive Les Comédies Musicales

Le Roi Lion: Le Cercle de La Vie (Vive Les Comédies Musicales '08) sélectionné dans TV et Divertissement / Jeu

From the 2008 performance of "Le Cercle de La Vie". Portia Manyike Talpot as Rafiki.

"El Rey León" gets a official logo

Circle of Life Reprise (Live @ Tucson, Arizona)

French medley

The alternate Rafiki in Paris, Portia Manyike-Talpot and Léah Vincent (Nala) performed a medley of "Le Cercle de La Vie" (Circle of Life) and "Terre d'ombre" (Shadowland). Copyrighted by FNAC.

"Il Vit en Toi" by the Paris cast

This video is from the auditions period (2007-2008) for "Le Roi Lion" in Paris. This was shot in Côte d'Ivoire, where some cast members are from. Performed by African people, Zama Magudulela, Jee-L and Jérémy Fontanet.

Le Roi Lion: "Le Cercle de La Vie" @ Les Molières

From the celebration of the Molière Awards, the greatest prize to French Theatre. In its 2008 opening (sorry for the delay), the Paris cast performed "Le Cercle de La Vie" (Circle of Life). The cast: David Eguren as Zazu, Jee-L as Mufasa, Zama Magudulela as Rafiki and Melina M'Poy as Sarabi.

Regis and Kelly

No Problems: "The Lion King" hits 5000th performance

From BroadwayWorld.com

Disney's landmark musical event THE LION KING celebrated 5000 Broadway performances on Thursday, November 5 at the Minskoff Theatre. Only eight other musicals have reached this milestone, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast. THE LION KING is the ninth longest-running musical in Broadway history and the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now entering its 13th smash year, THE LION KING officially opened on November 13, 1997 (previews began October 13 at the New Amsterdam Theatre) and has consistently been among Broadway's top five grossing shows. The show transferred to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.
On Broadway to date, THE LION KING has played to more than 8.5 million people, grossed $718 million, employed 223 adult actors (including 20 South African performers) and 66 children as young lions. Globally, THE LION KING has grossed $3.8 billion with 17 productions (a new production will bow in Singapore in September 2010 - a first for Disney Theatrical Productions). The London company recently celebrated its 10th anniversary making THE LION KING one of only five musicals in theatre history to play for ten years or more on both Broadway and the West End.
Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. The show has been seen by over 50 million people in 13 different countries (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea) and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch). In addition to Broadway and a North American tour, THE LION KING can also be seen on stage in London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas.
Director Julie Taymor was the first woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. She is also the winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Costume Design.
Julie Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; costume design is by Julie Taymor; lighting design is by Donald Holder. Choreography is by Garth Fagan. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay of 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 and music from an album inspired by the animated film, "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING score is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, embracing the Academy Awardâ-winning "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and the haunting "Shadowlands."
THE LION KING ticket prices range from $61.50-$121.50, and are available online at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, in-person at the Minskoff Theatre Box Office (200 West 45th Street) and Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717. Performance & holiday schedule varies; check online for current schedule (running time is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.)

Original Cast Playbill photos

Tom Alan Robbins (Pumbaa)
Tracy Nicole Chapman (Shenzi)

Stanley Wayne Mathis (Banzai)

Scott Irby-Raniar (Young Simba)

Samuel E. Wright (Mufasa)

Max Casella (Timon)

Kevin Cahoon (Ed)

Tsidii LeLoka (Rafiki)

Kajuana Shuford (Young Nala)

John Vickery (Scar)

Jason Raize (Simba)

Heather Headley (Nala)

Gina Breedlove (Sarabi)

Geoff Hoyle (Zazu)

Source: LionKingDigital.org

Heather Headley - Shadowland

From "The Late Show with David Letterman". Performed by Heather Headley, Tsidii LeLoka, Gina Breedlove and the original ensemble.

"They Live in You/He Lives in You", "Endless Night" and "Circle of Life" @ Rosie O'Donnel's

In a performance hours the official opening night of the musical, on November 13, 1997, the show's former actors, Jason Raize (Simba), Tsidii LeLoka-Lupindo (Rafiki), Scott Irby-Raniar (Young Simba) and Samuel E. Wright (Mufasa) performed "He Lives In You", "Endless Night", "They Live in You" and an amazing "Circle of Life", with chorus from Lebo M. and the original swings.

Alexia Khadime as Nala

You might recognize her as Elphaba in the London production of the hit musical Wicked, but Alexia Khadime was a former Nala in the London production of The Lion King. Here are some videos with her singing Shadowland and battling Scar.

Cast Recordings playlist

Uploaded on YouTube by Juan261094 (my account), this is a playlist containing songs from all of the Cast Recordings. Please watch, rate and comment. Note: The South African cast recording is entirely live.

Gugwana Dlamini (?) performing Circle of Life

Former Rafiki from the Gazelle tour, Gugwana Dlamini (?) performed Circle of Life. I don't know if its on the production she's acting as an understudy or if its performed by one Tshidi's Broadway u/s.

Singapore 2010

                                      

Hakuna Matata!: The Lion King roars in Singapore

Disney's long-running musical hit The Lion King will make its Singapore premiere at the Marina Bay Sands Theatre in September 2010.


Disney Theatricals and BASE entertainment are co-presenters of the engagement that will be a replica of the Tony-winning Broadway production and its numerous international counterparts.


"We're gigantically proud to bring The Lion King to the audiences of Singapore," said Disney Theatricals producer and president Thomas Schumacher. "BASE Entertainment and Marina Bay Sands are making an extraordinary commitment to bringing Julie Taymor's glorious production to life in the very best way possible. When we decided to bring The Lion King to Singapore we knew that this was the right show at the right venue at the right time."

Casting and official dates of production will be announced at a later date. Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical — The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe.

The Elton John-Tim Rice musical has won over 30 major awards. Those include six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Outer Critics Circle Awards; two Sir Laurence Oliviers; the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event; and three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.

The Lion King currently plays the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Additional productions are currently running in London, Paris, Tokyo, Hamburg, Las Vegas and a national U.S. tour.

From Playbill.com

Some of the London Rafikis

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize

Gitty Pregers

Josette Bushell-Mingo

Sharon D. Clarke

Photos from Google , DisneyOnBroadway.com and Facebook.

The Lion King at the BBC

This is a 2005 clip from the performance of Circle of Life at the BBC.

Some of the German Rafikis

Jessica Mears

Velile Mchunu

Beular Makhetha

Nteliseng Ntshape Nkhela

I couldn't find a picture of Velephi Patricia Mnisi, the original cast Rafiki. Any contributions accepted. Photos from Google, MySpace and Facebook.

French Rafikis

Pictures from Google, Facebook and other sources.

Zama Magudulela

Portia Manyike-Talpot

Zamokhule (Zam) Nomcebo Sithole

I didn't find a picture of Swaze Mokoena, any contributions accepted.

Some of the Broadway Rafikis

Pictures from Google, Facebook and other sources.

Selloane Nkhela

Mpume Sikakane

Rema Webb

Angelica Edwards Patterson

Sheryl McCallum

Tshidi Manye

Tsidii LeLoka-Lupindo

Gugwana Dlamini - Rafiki Mourns

National tour Rafiki Gugwana Dlamini performing Rafiki Mourns. Credits to YouTube user k8to2005.

The Lion King celebrates 10 years at London

October 19, 2009 marks a milestone for the London production of The Lion King. The show reached its 10th year on the West End. The blog celebrates with it and gives congratulations to the cast.

Rosana Pereira - Circle of Life

The Brazilian theatre group "PocketBroadway" performed this amazing version of Circle of Life. Led by Rosana Pereira, with African chants from the ensemble. It was a TV special, so it's not an official production.

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize - He Lives In You

Celebrating the show's 10th anniversary in London, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize (Rafiki) and Andile Gumbi (Simba), along with ensemble members, performed He Lives In You on GMTV.

Good Morning America (1998?)

The original Broadway Simba and Nala performing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" on Good Morning America, (I think) 11 years ago. Jason Raize as Simba and Heather Headley as Nala. Credits to YouTube user "raizeresource". For those who don't know, Raize died in 2004, by suicide. (http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/02/14/1076548275532.html?from=storyrhs)

Dancing With the Stars

The Las Vegas cast, led by Buyisile "Buyi" Zama performed an amazing medley of "Circle of Life" and its reprise in ABC's Dancing With the Stars, on September 23 2009.

Velephi Mnisi - Der Ewige Kreis

From the original Hamburg cast. Special thanks to YouTube user Crus141, who posted the video. Velephi Patricia Mnisi played Rafiki

Circle of Life - Live in Las Vegas

Amazing actress Buyisile Zama performing an amazing "Circle of Life". Credits go to YouTube user EYEGASMS.

Lyrics for "He Lives in You (Reprise)" in Japanese

Yoru inochi no kodama ga yonderu
Sono koi wa kodomo no you ni kotaeru

Matte noborenu yama nadonai
Watashi no kotoba wo shinjiru no darou
Chike yo

Omae koso otonaru
Chichi mo soku mo
Omae no naka ni
Ikiteiru
Mizu ni utsuru
Sono omae wo mitsumeteru (5x)

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize and Phindile Mkhize performing Circle of Life

No, they're not sisters! But they are from different productions. Brown is on the London and Phindile is from the National Tour.


Credits go to YouTube user MoviesByCort.


Credits to YouTube user 0707qwerty.

Interviews on the Las Vegas production

From the official Disney on Broadway YouTube channel. Buyisile Zama and other people talking about the Las Vegas production of The Lion King.

The Japanese cast performs Circle of Life

The Japanese cast of The Lion King performing the song "Circle of Life", with Japanese subtitles. Posted on Youtube by Take1964007 . You can watch the CD version of the song here, with the translation of the lyrics.

Le Roi Lion full performance

On Sunday, April 12 2009, the cast of the French production of The Lion King, Le Roi Lion, performed a very special performance. They performed some songs like "Terre D'Ombre/Shadowland", "Il Vie en Toi/He Lives in You" and "Le Cercle de La Vie/Circle of Life".

42ème Rue en public à Mogador avec la troupe du Roi Lion
Enviado por radiofrance

Las Vegas cast announced!

From Playbill.com

Casting has been announced for the Las Vegas production of the Tony-winning The Lion King, which will begin previews at the Mandalay Bay Theatre May 5 with an official opening May 15.
The cast features performers who have triumphed in productions of Lion King around the world, including stagings in New York, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles, Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.
Thom Sesma (The Times They Are A-Changin') will play the evil Scar with Alton F. White (Ragtime) as Mufasa and Los Angeles native Marvette Williams as Sarabi. South African native Buyisile "Buyi" Zama will play Rafiki. (note she was Rafiki in Taiwan, South Africa and Australia).
The cast will also feature Kissy Simmons (Nala), Clifton Oliver (Simba), Damian Baldet (Timon), Patrick Kerr (Zazu) and Adam Kozlowski (Pumbaa). The three hyenas will be played by Keith Bennett (Banzai), Jacquie Hodges (Shenzi) and Robbie Swift (Ed). Duane Ervin and Elijah Johnson will alternate in the role of Young Simba, and Ruby Crawford and Jade Nelson will alternate in the role of Young Nala.
Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical — The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe. The Elton John-Tim Rice musical has won over 30 major awards. Those include six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Outer Critics Circle Awards; two Sir Laurence Oliviers; the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event; and three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.
Tickets will go on sale to the public March 14 during an on-sale event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center beginning at 7 AM. Phone and online sales will launch at 10 AM by calling (702) 632-7580 or (800) 745-3000 or by visiting www.mandalaybay.com or http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

New websites

Oh my! It's been my first post in months! lol! I have to say that the site for The Lion King's Broadway version has been updated with links to "New York", "Las Vegas" (see counter for the prémiere), "North American Tour" and "International Productions". Here's it!

Also, in the Las Vegas tab, a small preview (a clip for the London production) is avaliable.

Circustheatre celebrates 100 years

The German cast of The Lion King, led by Beular Maketha performed numbers "Alles Ademt en Leeft/Nants Ingonyama" (in English), its reprise and "Voel Je Hoe de Liefde Groeit" (Can You Feel the Love Tonight) on the special performance for the 100 jaar Circustheater event (when the Fortis Circustheatre, which held the Dutch production from 2003 to 2006, celebrated 100 years).

Beular Makhetha - Der Ewige Kreis

One of the "Der König der Löwen" original cast ensemble, Beular Makhetha, performed "Der Ewige Kreis" for the StageEntertainment's special Beliebte Musical Melodien. Please note she was the same Rafiki as in "Best of Musical" and "100 Jaar Circustheater" (when Fortis Circustheatre celebrated 100 years).

New Gadget

I've got a thing to tell you. I just added a new gadget to the blog, named "Video Bar". I put the gadget to make an easier way to the author's videos (Juan and Ken are on YouTube). It can be seen by the side of this post. :)

Le Roi Lion celebrates 500th performance

Miss France 2009 is spectator number 700.000 of Le Roi Lion.

She, Chloé Mortaud, Miss France 2009, went to the performance number 500 of Le Roi Lion. To pleasure everybody in the stage, she (after the final curtain), took pictures with people and cast members.

Seattle cast announced

From BroadwayWorld.com

The cast of the awaited Seattle engagement was announced. Seattle's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Paramount Theatre stage from Wednesday, February 11 through Sunday, March 15. The media opening night is Friday, February 13 at 8 pm. This Seattle engagement is one of seven current productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris.



The malevolent and evil "Scar" will be played by Timothy Carter, whose credits include The Three Musketeers and Macbeth with The Acting Company; King Lear, As You Like It, and Julius Caesar at Colorado Shakespeare Festival; Richard III and Merry Wives at Windsor at Nebraska Shakespeare Festival; and Hay Fever at Westport County Playhouse. Dionne Randolph will play the lion king "Mufasa." Mr. Randolph's credits include Little Shop of Horrors and Once on This Island. Phindile Mkhize (pictured), a native of South Africa, is the wise "Rafiki." Ms. Mkhize has traveled to Germany, Australia, Holland and Amsterdam performing and sharing her talents, and her credits include The Lion King: The Movie Soundtrack 94, Sarafina 2; Mama, Maria, Maria and Wozamyfohloza.


The meerkat "Timon" will be played by Mark Shunock, who has appeared in productions of Romance, Beauty and the Beast, Princess Turandot, The Skin of our Teeth, Howie the Rookie and Lovelace: The Musical. Tony Freeman, who will portray "Zazu", has previously played the role on Broadway in more than 1,300 performances. Dan'yelle Williamson, a native of Tampa, FL and a graduate of The Boston Conservatory, is the lioness "Nala" and was recently seen in Wicked in Chicago. Mufasa's son, "Simba," will be played by André Jackson, who is an alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has numerous Broadway, film and television credits.



The three hyenas will be played by: Randy Donaldson ("Banzai"), whose past credits include Five Guys named Moe and Broadway's Wonderful Town and Annie Get Your Gun; Jayne Trinette ("Shenzi"), whose credits include Caroline or Change, Ain't Misbehavin' and Nuncrackers; and Andrew Frace ("Ed"), whose stage credits include Finding Nemo: the Musical, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonla. Performances in the role of "Young Simba" will be alternated between Chaz Marcus Fleming and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez. Mr. Fleming has studied acting and dance at the Harlem School for the Arts and has appeared in commercials and print ads for The Gap and Toys"R"Us. Mr. Rodriguez has been seen in "Law & Order: SVU," the upcoming feature film Phoebe in Wonderland, and numerous commercials. Performances in the role of "Young Nala" will be alternated between Sadé LouAnn Murray and Ah-Niyah Neal. Ms. Murray is an 11 year-old from Springfield, MA and is making her professional debut in the musical. Ms. Neal, a native of Hempstead, NY and a student at The Harlem School of the Arts, is also making her professional debut in The Lion King musical.

Robin Leach interviews Thomas Schumacher

With the coming Las Vegas production, the main newspaper of the city, the Las Vegas Sun, asked its reporter Robin Leach to interview the president of Disney Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher, with focus on the new production. The production will open at the Mandalay Bay theater in May 2009 (see counter).

Here's the video, posted on YouTube by LasVegasSun

Memorial Days: The Lion King celebrates its first anniversary in Fukuoka!

January 6 2009 is a date for the Fukuoka cast of the Lion King to remember. With two productions around Japan, one which celebrated its 10th anniversary on December, the Fukuoka cast saluted the audience with a giftbox, because the show celebrated its first anniversary in the city of Fukuoka.

Here's the video of the special event, holded by Shiki Theatrical Company.