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By Andrew Gans
30 Sep 2009

The Tony-winning Disney musical The Lion King welcomes several new members to its cast Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

Marquis Kofi Rodriguez and Shereen Pimentel made their Broadway debuts Sept. 29 in the roles of, respectively, Young Simba and Young Nala. On Sept. 30 the cast at the Minskoff Theatre will welcome Shannon Skye Tavarez, who will also be making her Broadway debut, in the role of Young Nala. Alphonso Romero Jones II will make his Broadway debut Oct. 1 in the role of Young Simba.

Jones, age ten, is a native of Trenton, NJ, who made his NY stage debut last year in A Christmas Carol. Rodriguez, age 11, played Young Simba in the national tour of The Lion King and has been seen on "Law & Order: SVU." Pimentel, age ten, has attended The Ailey School for dance since the age of four and appeared in Kidz Theater's productions of Ragtime and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Tavarez, age 10, attended the Harlem School of Arts and is currently studying at The American Dance and Drama Studio in Flushing.

They join a cast that includes Derek Smith as Scar, Nathaniel Stampley as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, Danny Rutigliano as Timon, Dashaun Young as Simba and Ta'Rea Campbell as 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.

The Lion King currently plays the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. For more information visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com.

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