Heather Headley, the original Nala in Broadway's The Lion King, will return to that role starting the week of Dec. 7. Headley left the production on July 5 to take the title part in Disney's latest stage musical Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida. That Elton John-Tim Rice musical recently closed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on Nov. 8. It could not be learned how long Headley would stay with The Lion King, but, very likely, much depends on Disney's next move concerning Elaborate Lives. For now, Disney spokesmen will say only that the show will reopen in an unnamed regional market before arriving in New York. No dates have been set.
During Headley's absence, Mary Randle played Nala in Broadway's The Lion King, making her Broadway debut in the show, which celebrates its first anniversary Nov. 13.
