Casting Announced for 'Disney’s The Lion King'

Press release

Casting Announced for

Disney’s The Lion King

Broadway’s Award-Winning Best Musical

Hartford's Limited Return Engagement Plays
November 13 Through December 1, 2024, at The Bushnell

HARTFORD, CT – Casting has been announced for the Hartford engagement of Disney’s The Lion King. Hartford’s most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto The Bushnell stage from Wednesday, November 13 through Sunday, December 1, 2024. [The press opening night is Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.]

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), Darnell Abraham (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Nick Cordileone (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Erick D. Patrick (Simba), Thembelihle Cele (Nala), Forest VanDyke (Banzai), Martina Sykes (Shenzi), Sam Linda (Ed), Wiliam John Austin (Standby Scar, & Pumbaa) and Thom Christopher Warren (Standby Scar, Zazu, Timon & Pumbaa).

The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Bryce Christian Thompson and Julian Villela and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Ritisha Chakraborty and Jaxyn Damasco.

Rounding out the cast are Kayla Rose Aimable, Ellen Akashi, Iman Ayana, Eric Bean, Jr., Layla Brent, Vernon Brooks III, Sasha Caicedo, Lauren Carr, Shaquelle Charles, Reoagile Choabi, Lyric Danae, Maurice Dawkins, Cedrick Ekra, Marquis Floyd, Valériane Louisy Louis Joseph, Joel Karie, Gabisile Manana, Justin Mensah, Sakhile Mthembu, Sarita Amani Nash, Aaron Nelson, Jeremy Noel, Sicelo Ntshangase, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Yael Pineda-Hall, Maurica Roland, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Courtney Thomas, Ben Toomer, Denzel Tsopnang, Brinie Wallace and Jordan Nicole Willis.

In Hartford, The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. with an added performance on Thursday, November 14 at 2:00 p.m. Thanksgiving week schedule will include 2:00 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, November 27, and Friday, November 29. There will be no performance on Thanksgiving and no evening performance on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Tickets are available online at bushnell.org, by calling (860) 987-5900 or by visiting The Bushnell Box Office at 166 Capitol Avenue (Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Extra Magic Packages, which include an excellent seat in the theater and show merchandise, are also available. Orders for groups of twenty (10) or more may be placed by calling (860) 987-5959.

Ticket buyers are reminded that The Bushnell is the only official retail ticket outlet for all performances at The Bushnell Center for Performing Arts. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that The Bushnell is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

The Lion King has been touring North America for more than 22 years, and during that time has welcomed over 23 million theatergoers, making it North America’s longest-running and most-attended Broadway tour. Having already played more than 10,000 performances in over 90 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly returns to Hartford at The Bushnell.