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.