Casting has been announced for the Costa Mesa engagement of Disney’s The Lion King. Costa Mesa’s most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Segerstrom Center for the Arts stage from Thursday, February 1 to Sunday, February 25. The press opening night is Thursday, February 1 at 7:30 PM.
The production features Peter Hargrave as “Scar,” Gerald Ramsey as “Mufasa,” Mukelisiwe Goba as “Rafiki,” Nick Cordileone as “Timon,” Nick LaMedica as “Zazu,” John E. Brady as “Pumbaa,” Darian Sanders as “Simba,” Khalifa White as “Nala,” Forest VanDyke as “Banzai,” Martina Sykes as “Shenzi” and Robbie Swift as “Ed.”
The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Mason Lawson and Julian Villela and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Jaxyn Damasco and Aniya Simone.
Rounding out the cast are William John Austin, Iman Ayana, Isaiah Bailey, Samantha Lauren Barriento, Eric Bean, Jr., Layla Brent, Vernon Brooks III, Sasha Caicedo, Lauren Carr, Thembelihle Cele, Daniela Cobb, Gabriel Croom, Lyric Danae, Marquis Floyd, Tony Freeman, Aliah James, Jolina Javier, Joel Karie, Samaree Lawson, Gabisile Manana, Amber Mayberry, Justin Mensah, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Aaron Nelson, Jeremy Noel, Sicelo Ntshangase, Erick D. Patrick, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Sadé Simmons, Jennifer Theriot, Courtney Thomas, Denzel Tsopnang, Brinie Wallace and Jordan Nicole Willis.
In Costa Mesa, The Lion Kingwill play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. There will also be a special 2:00 PM matinee performance on Thursday, February 1. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a souvenir program and a cinch bag, are also available. Tickets are available at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Box Office, by calling (714) 556-2787 Monday-Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, or via the Internet at SCFTA.org. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling 714-755-0236.
For more than 20 years, the North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by over 21 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 9,000 performances in over 90 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly returns to Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Photos by Matthew Murphy
