Disney on Broadway Ushers New Stars to the Stage
Yesterday, Disney Theatrical Productions announced the full casts returning to not one but two incredible Disney on Broadway shows: “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.” Though the vast majority of both casts include returning members, the roles of Simba, Aladdin and Jasmine star new talent.
Just Can’t Wait to be Broadway’s King
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Coming off of the North American tour, Brian A. McCall makes his Broadway debut in the role of Simba in the coming-of-age story. Tony-nominated Adrienne Walker plays McCall’s opposite as the strong and encouraging Nala. She returns to the Broadway cast.
Among those returning to the cast of “The Lion King” is British native Stepehen Carlile who brilliantly brought villainous Scar to life prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.
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Steven Taylor (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Timon), and Cameron Power (Zazu) also all return to the cast.
Image Credit: D23
The new production also introduces Broadway to fresh young faces. Alternating as Youg Simba, Vince Ermita and Corey J. split that role. Sydney Elise Rusell and Alayna Martus will switch off as Young Nala.
Image Credit: D23
“The Lion King” returns to the stage at the Minskoff Theatre on September 14th.
A Whole New World of Talent
The New Amsterdam theatre heralds the return of “Aladdin” just a week after “The Lion King” returns to Broadway. When the show reopens, audiences will revel in the talent that is Shoba Narayan (Jasmine) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin).
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While Maliakel makes his Broadway debut, Narayan is no stranger to the lights of musical theatre’s penultimate stages. On Broadway, she performed as Natasha in “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812” as well as in the smash hit, “Wicked,” as Nessarose. She also performed in the “Hamilton” North American tour as Eliza. Maliakel joins the cast after touring with the “Tha Phantom of the Opera.”
Image Credit: D23
Four key roles in the production return to the Broadway stage: Michael James Scott (Genie), Don Darryl Rivera (Iago), Dennis Stowe (Jafar/Sultan standby), and Tony Award-nominee Jonathan Freeman (Jafar).
Aladdin’s journey triumphantaly returns to the New Amsterdam Theatre on September 28th. For more on the full cast lists for both productions, check out this D23 article.
