Clifton Oliver Is New Simba of Broadway's Lion King | Playbill

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News Clifton Oliver Is New Simba of Broadway's Lion King The Broadway cast of the Tony-winning The Lion King welcomed Clifton Oliver to its cast May 13 in the role of Simba. Oliver succeeded Dashaun Young, who played his final Broadway performance May 7 at the Minskoff Theatre.

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Clifton Oliver

Young will reprise the role of Simba with the Las Vegas company beginning June 20.

Oliver originated the role of Simba in the Las Vegas production at Mandalay Bay (2009) and the Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theater (2000) and performed as Simba on the first national tour. Oliver also starred on Broadway as Benny in In the Heights and as Fiyero in Wicked and appeared in the Los Angeles company of Ragtime.

The Broadway company of The Lion King also currently features Gareth Saxe as Scar, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa and Tshidi Manye as Rafiki.

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; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.

The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed "The Lion King" animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor).  Directed by 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. In fact, 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.

For more information visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com.

 
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