Las Vegas Cast performing @ The Grove

Major changes in Broadway

The show now runs 8-10 minutes faster, I mean, some scenes were removed. The only one that we'll miss a lot (which has been there onstage since the debut in 1997) is "The Morning Report". What you read is true. The Morning Report scene has been removed from only the Las Vegas and the Broadway production. The Paris, the Hamburg and the Tokyo productions stay with the scene.

The removal was first planned to the Las Vegas production, but when the new cast members arrived on Broadway on June 2010, it had to be removed. One more thing: actor Jeffrey Binder no longer plays his trademark role of Zazu.

From the official report on BroadwayWorld.com:
BroadwayWorld.com has independently confirmed recent online rumors that changes have been made to the Broadway production of THE LION KING when the show recently welcomed new cast members in mid-June. The show now runs 8-10 minutes shorter and has incorporated small cuts that were made first for the show's Las Vegas production. Also no longer in the show is "Morning Report."

A production spokesperson declined comment or confirmation on any changes to the show, but BroadwayWorld.com's scooper did say that audiences are responding to the show just as wildly enthusiastically as they have for years, and those following the numbers know that the production continues to sell out

Read more: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/CHATTER_Broadways_THE_LION_KING_Undergoes_Changes_20010101#ixzz0twjoSuxR

Shadowland live in Vegas

Robbie Swift proposes during performance

Las Vegas cast member Robbie Swift (Ed, the Hyena) proposed to his fiancée, Lisa, during a performance, after the curtain call. The blog wants to congratulate both. Nice wedding =)

Posted on YouTube by CentreStageFilms.

Regis and Kelly

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.

Circle of Life - Live in Las Vegas

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

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.

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.

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

Las Vegas

Announced last week, the musical will have a permanent production in the Mandalay Bay casino in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. It will open in May 02, with previews beginning in mid-April.

"We're incredibly pleased to bring The Lion King to the audiences of Las Vegas," said producer and president of Disney Theatrical Group Thomas Schumacher. "Mandalay Bay has seen great success with other shows thanks to its extraordinary commitment to producing theatre of the highest caliber. When we decided to bring The Lion King to Las Vegas, we knew that this was the right show at the right venue at the right time."

For more details about Disney's The Lion King, check http://www.disneyonbroadway.com/.

Tshidii Manye performing Grasslands Chant (Broadway)