It’s almost as if his 4,000+ performances as Mufasa led to this moment. The episode entitled, “The Son Rises” features White as an actor playing Mufasa in the touring company of  The Lion King who comes to the hospital with a damaging throat infection. But like all good stories, there’s more. The Lion King plot is intermixed with the gripping story of a son who soon has to say goodbye to his father.

Creator and Writer, Michael Seitzman, came up with the idea to incorporate The Lion King cast after seeing the viral video of the cast singing during their layover at La Guardia airport.  After all, actors are humans. Seitzman became intrigued with exposing the human nature behind a show that on the surface is about animals, and the potential magical experience this company could bring to “Code Black.”

Bring. On. The. Tears.

“They Live in You,” the song sung by The Lion King cast on “Code Black,” is seemingly written from the contents of White’s heart. Much like the father-son plot, White had to say goodbye to his father while he was on tour as Mufasa in his hometown of Cincinnati, OH. He notes, “Death is very much a part of the human experience—the acceptance and how we deal with the transition.” This theme carries throughout the episode, and while heavy, White says this experience has shaped his vision for his future.

I thought “They Live in You” was a tear jerker merely listening to The Lion King cast album. But it gets better! Imagine soulful voices belting in the midst of a crisis. Imagine a cast coming together to console their castmate who fears he may never be able to sing again and a child in the middle of grief. If you aren’t going to take our word for it, take Seitzman’s. On the heartwarming performances, he said: 

It was breathtaking. Their voices were breathtaking. The whole room fell apart. It was amazing.

White originated the role of Mufasa on the first national tour of  The Lion King and in the Las Vegas production. He eventually portrayed Mufasa on Broadway. We hope this episode isn’t the last time we see him on camera!

The post The Lion King Brings Heart And Soul To CBS’s Code Black appeared first on Broadway Black.

Samuel L. Jackson, Leslie Odom Jr., Patina Miller, Brandon Victor Dixon, Latanya Richardson, Danielle Brooks, and the exquisite Cicely Tyson were among the many luminaries in attendance to honor the two-time Tony Award winner.

The 98th annual event recognized Jones for more than 50 years of exceptional theater work.  Known best for his trademark bass, Jones is one of the few artists who has received an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony for his noteworthy performances, including his role as Darth Vader, one of the most notorious villains of all time.

“His presence is so indelible, his talent so immense, ” noted Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing.  “He’s managed to make some of his most memorable film roles without even showing his face.”

The Lion King’s Samuel E. Wright, Alton Fitzgerald White, L. Steven Taylor, Nathaniel Stampley and Rufus Bonds Jr. kicked off the celebration with a musical performance thanking Jones for originating the beloved role of Mufasa, which they each later reprised in the Broadway musical.

Norm Lewis, who previously played Javert in Les Miserables, dedicated his lovely rendition of “The Prayer” to the late Kyle Jean Baptiste, acknowledging that both of their opportunities were set in motion by pioneer Jones’ efforts. “That was all because of doors you opened.”

After being presented with the award by Star Wars co-star Jackson, Jones humbly thanked The Wing for their contributions to his artistic growth. “They taught us not to put ethnic or gender limits on the characters that we studied.  They taught us speech for Shakespeare, and speech for Arthur Miller, and speech for Tennessee Williams, and speech for George Lucas,” he affirmed graciously before concluding, “I can’t thank you enough, no matter how old I get.”

Jones can currently be seen with Ms. Tyson in The Gin Game at the Golden Theater through January 10, 2016.

#AboutLastNight #TheWingGala @patinamiller @normlewis777 @leslieodomjr @nicolettekloe @brandonvdixon @jamesearljones

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 8:31am PDT

What a night fit for a legend. Congrats @JamesEarlJones! #AboutLastNight #TheWingGala #YouAreBroadwayBlack A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 8:24am PDT

Past & present Mufasas of Broadway’s @thelionking perform& honor the original film Mufasa @JamesEarlJones #5GuysNamedMufasa #TheWingGala #AboutLastNight

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 7:49am PDT

@SamuelLJackson presenting @JamesEarlJones with #TheWingGala Honor #AboutLastNight A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 7:43am PDT

Of course @IAmCicelyTyson was in the building. #AboutLastNight #TheWingGala

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 7:58am PDT

.@PatinaMiller gave us Simple Joys. @brandonvdixon let the good times roll & @NormLewiss777 Brought Us Home! #TheWingGala #AboutLastNight

A video posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 8:14am PDT

#AboutLastNight The stars of Hollywood came to support @JamesEarlJones as he was honored by The American Theatre Wing #TheWingGala

A photo posted by BroadwayBlack (@broadwayblack) on Sep 29, 2015 at 7:40am PDT

The post Broadway’s A-List Join American Theatre Wing to Honor James Earl Jones appeared first on Broadway Black.

Alton Fitzgerald White (Miss Saigon, The Who’s Tommy, Smokey Joe’s Café, Ragtime, The Color Purple) first starred as Mufasa 12 years ago, in the first touring production of the long-running Broadway hit. He returned to the role in The Lion King production at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas from 2009 to 2011, and became a staple at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway.

The Lion King is the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 productions have been seen by more than 70 million people worldwide.  Notably, The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years.

White wrote on his Facebook page, “I am forever grateful to Disney for a relationship and experience that has positively shifted my life FOREVER!!!!  I am super-excited and grateful that THE UNIVERSE is guiding me toward new ways of sharing my gifts and of doing SERVICE!!!”

Broadway Black extends a hearty thank you to Alton White for performing in front of countless fans and for his thunderous and powerful talent that made The Lion King a Broadway staple.

The post Alton Fitzgerald White Ends Run As The Longest Running Mufasa In The Lion King appeared first on Broadway Black.