Reopening on Sept 14th, 2021, the Disney musical classic did something unprecedented for a Broadway show. They filmed and live-streamed the opening number, “The Circle of Life,” on TikTok. Watch footage from the dazzling opening, the pre-show speech by Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor, & the company’s curtain call, all from the reopening night performance below.

Talk about a moment! Although the world was watching via TikTok, the tear-jerking night had some of your Broadway favorites in the house. Kristin Chenoweth, Jelani Alladin, and the stars of Disney’s Aladdin: Michael Maliakel (Aladdin), Michael James Scott (Genie), and Shoba Narayan (Jasmine) all came out to support the historic night. The hit musical Aladdin will celebrate its Broadway reopening on Tuesday, September 28th. 

The Broadway cast of The Lion King stars Stephen Carlile as Scar, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Brandon A. McCall as Simba, Adrienne Walker as Nala, James Brown-Orleans as Banzai, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi and Robb Sapp as Ed. Vince Ermita and Corey J. alternate as Young Simba, and Alayna Martus and Sydney Elise Russell alternate as Young Nala.

The Lion King also features Lawrence Keith Alexander, Cameron Amandus, Leanne Antonio, Andrew Arrington, India Bolds Browne, Lindiwe Dlamini, Zinhle Dube, Bongi Duma, Angelica Edwards, Jim Ferris, Rosie Lani Feldman, Daniel Gaymon, Pia Hamilton, Daniel Harder, Michael Alexander Henry, Michael Hollick, Pearl Khwezi, Lindsey Jackson, Lisa Lewis, Mduduzi Madela, Jaysin McCollum, Ray Mercer, S’bu Ngema, Nhlanhla Ngobeni, Nteliseng Nkhela, Jacqueline René, Kaylin Seckel, Kellen Stencil, Housso Semon, Derrick Spear, Michael Stiggers Jr., Jamie J. Thompson, Bravita Threatt, Natalie Turner, Donna Michelle Vaughan, Nicholas Ward, and Stephen Scott Wormley.

The post The Lion King Returns To Broadway & Live Streams on TikTok! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Well if you missed it. Here it is again. Yes, selected cast from both The Lion King and Aladdin performed several songs on the morning show this past Friday.

Some of you may be wondering why this is such an awesome moment. Well let’s recap.

The Lion King now in its 19th year was the first broadway show to earn more than a billion cumulatively on stage.  Aladdin is building a legacy of its own with $146 MIL gross box office so far and counting.

But the biggest thrill of this show is that fact that both are employing a gang of POC.

And not just locally, there are U.S. and world tours, and inspiring theater heads everywhere.

So in case you missed it,here are two POC heavy, long-running epic shows. Be proud. Spread the word.

The post The Signifigance of Lion King VS Aladdin on GMA appeared first on Broadway Black.

Citing dangerous overcrowding and inclement weather, the powers that be have decided to make some improvements to the potentially treacherous lottery event before reintroducing it in the spring.

“We love seeing so many fans show up to participate in the Ham4Ham lottery and show,” Hamilton producer, Jeffrey Seller, said in a statement. “But we need to figure out how to safely accommodate our fans without blocking traffic on West 46th Street.”

Shortly after it began its run at The Public Theater, Hamilton has offered the drawing to fans who can’t afford or even access the $150+ tickets to the currently sold out run. The stage phenomenon garners, at minimum, 500 entrants per drawing: excited fans who, line, crowd and essentially dominate the slim street accessing the Richard Rodgers Theater.

An innovation made popular in 1996 by the cult-classic Rent, lottery, student rush, general rush and “standing room only” has become the poor man’s guide to Broadway.

Hamilton is just one of many Broadway productions offering an affordable digital lottery for what has become quite an expensive medium.  Kinky Boots made the switch this summer and after 18 years on top of the Broadway ticket want list, The Lion King announced in November that they would be offering an online lottery.  Introduced just in time for the holiday season, the lottery would make tickets for the musical, which generally average around $130, accessible to theatergoers at a reasonable price.

UPDATE:  As of 11 AM on Jan. 5, Hamilton has broken the internet!  Since opening the digital lottery at 9:30 AM, BroadwayDirect, the website that hosts multiple Broadway show lotteries, has read a “Service Unavailable” message.  Twitter is all abuzz, including Lin Manuel Miranda who has assured Hamilfans, while he excels at many things, IT is not one of them.  Hopefully the site will be up soon…cause we’re trying to get tickets too!

The post Hamilton Lottery Goes Digital in the New Year appeared first on Broadway Black.

Say what?! 

That’s right, this year, creator and producer Marq Moss of Glitterati Entertainment Group and actor in Motown The Musical has decided to combine four of the HOTTEST shows on Broadway into one joyful celebration. The ‘Grinch’-inspired party replaces “Whoville” with “Broadville” and will feature Moss, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, a co-producer of the event and an actor from Motown the Musical, Patrice Covington from The Color Purple, Marja Harmon from The Book of Mormon, Christian Dante White from Shuffle Along and Jelani Remy from The Lion King as hosts. Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion is sure to be a spectacular event! Understand the party title now?

This party also has a purpose and the goal is simple:

In an effort to always stay connected with the community, which has given so much to all of us, PMSL will serve as a much-needed opportunity to be altruistic.  As we all know, so many are affected by the blistering winters of NYC.  Some are homeless.  Some are just dealing with the, often harsh, realities that come with residing in one of the most expensive cities in the US.  While it’s sometimes easy to forget the less fortunate, the truth of the matter is, it could be any one of us.  As such, we are encouraging guests to donate a warm, useable item of clothing at the door.

The group suggests bringing items like hats, gloves, scarves and coats. Music for the event will be provided by DJ Taela Naomi and the dress code is your own unique blend of fresh and fly! The party will be held on December 14 at Angel of Harlem, “one of New York’s newest and trendiest establishments.” For more details on how you can attend Glitterati’s How The Purple Mormon Stole The Shuffled Lion  photo-op laden, festive, party with a purpose… check out the website here!

The post Get Your Holiday Purple Mormon Shuffled Lion On! appeared first on Broadway Black.

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.

As if that wasn’t enough, producers of The Lion King did something that made me — and I think everyone in America– squeal with glee. Disney announced that the 18-year-running musical would begin offering a digital online lottery for $30 tickets starting November 16th.

“For many years we have explored ways to make more affordable tickets to The Lion King available to the public,” Andrew Flatt, senior vice president at Disney Theatrical Productions, said in a statement to the New York Times.

Entries to The Lion King ticket lottery will be accepted online each evening before a performance until 9 a.m. the following morning, and winners will be notified immediately. They will have a 60 minute window to pay for the tickets. Why such a limited time? To prevent scalpers from getting tickets and selling them for thousands more than their face value (I’m looking at you Hamilton ticket scalpers, I’m looking at you.)

In even more tech news for Disney, the show has also released a 360-degree video of the show’s famous opening number, making it the latest musical to implement virtual reality technology inside a Broadway theater (Andrew Lloyd Webber made sure we didn’t forget about that School of Rock music video).  Produced by Total Cinema 360, the five-minute video gives viewers a detailed immersive perspective of the opening number from the actors’ point of view. Viewers are able to scroll in all directions to see the opening featuring 31 costumed cast members from the Minskoff Theatre aisles and balconies, and from the stage.

Check out the video below and tell us what you think!

*The video is best viewed on YouTube or Facebook — on mobile using the latest version of each app and on desktop using the latest Chrome browser.*

The post The Circle Of Life: The Lion King Hits New Highs appeared first on Broadway Black.

“In my original idea… [Simba] doesn’t go back at all. That never happened,” she said of Simba returning from his adventures in the jungle to become king. Instead, “He goes to the desert. And in the desert, he comes out of the jungle… And he sees Vegas.”

She wanted to introduce a new villain named Papa Croc who struck a deal with Scar, the villainous lion, to buy all the water in the land. Eliminating the water creates a desert oasis: Las Vegas (complete with plays on animals and humans, like Papa Croc’s Pussycat Lounge).

“And here comes Simba the wild beast from the jungle, and he falls for Papa Croc because he doesn’t have a father,” Taymor said. Simba’s father, Mufasa, dies both in the movie and at the end of the first act of her musical.

But Papa Croc then puts Simba in the Coliseum and forces him to fight against animals from other lands in a brutal animal gladiator show.

Thankfully, this scenario was not approved. Instead, Simba misses the Vegas stage and saves Pride Rock. Taymor agrees staying with the movie’s ending was the right call. However, she did hint Vegas might still happen. But for now, Taymor is being inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame for her direction of The Lion King on Broadway, which is still the highest grossing entertainment production.

The post Simba Almost Ended Up in Vegas! The Lion King’s Alternate Ending appeared first on Broadway Black.

Dorothy, The Wiz

Are you looking for a classic costume that’s easily identified and even easier to put together? Look no further than “Dorothy”! All you need is a light blue gingham dress with a silk ribbon at the waist, or a white blouse and light blue skirt, white tights or lacy socks and of course you MUST rock the sparkly shoes. To finish the look, style your hair into two ponytails and you are ready to travel the yellow brick road!

Rafiki, The Lion King

Are you the creative type with time on your hands? Well consider “Rafiki” from The Lion King. This character is full of color and the costume opens up a world of possibilities for the open minded costumer. Face paint in bright colors and an assembly of colorfully beaded necklaces and bracelets, rattan rope, burlap and fur embellishments should get you well on your way to bringing this dynamic character to life.

Hedwig, Hedwig and The Angry Inch

If fabulous is your destination and you’ve got the confidence of a rockstar, then what better inspiration than rocker “Hedwig”? Platform shoes, BIG blonde hair, distressed denim with your own graffiti are necessary to pull of this costume. The essential ingredient is a ton of super glittery and flamboyant makeup and voila! You are ready to rock any Halloween party.

Marvin Gaye, Motown The Musical

Let everyone know exactly “What’s Going On” when you arrive at the Halloween party. Channeling the soulfulness of “Marvin Gaye” is a breeze with just a few simple items. A red toboggan or a simple crocheted kufi,  a plainly colored tee shirt layered with a denim shirt and denim jeans should do the trick. Top it off with a beard and you will be ready to croon or maybe lip sync the night away.

Dreamgirls

There’s only one thing that more fun than dressing up for Halloween and that’s pulling off an ensemble set of costumes. A perfect play for the ensemble outfit for you and few of your diva friends, the fellas or a mixed group of Halloween revelers. Ladies, whip out those once used bridesmaid dresses from the back of your closets and fellas hit your local thrift store for wide collars, swinging bell bottoms or an extra shiny and tight suit. Ladies, tease your hair into a sleek updo or a big bouffant and gentlemen pick out your hair or make a quick stop at the beauty supply for a short conked out wig and your ensemble is ready to go.

Motormouth Maybelle, Hairspray

Are you looking to make an impact as soon as you step on the scene? If so, “Motormouth Maybelle” is the character for you. The easiest way to pull off this costume is to start with a gold or satin dress. Purchase a couple of red feather boa’s and attach them to the hem and sleeves. Finish off this sassy look with a blonde wig with curls as tall and plentiful as you can make them and you are ready to liven up any party.

We hope you enjoy these costumes inspired by our Black Broadway stars. Tweet us a picture of what you decided to wear @broadwayblack!

The post 6 Broadway Black Inspired Costumes for Halloween appeared first on Broadway Black.

Casting directors from both productions will be seeking charm, charisma and confidence from actors, singers who move well and dancers needed to fulfill ensemble roles as well as to cover or replace lead characters. Singers will simultaneously be considered for both shows during the vocal audition. Dancer calls are staggered by gender and by show, so that dancers can attend auditions for both.

Performers of all cultural backgrounds are strongly encouraged to journey to the Pride Lands or Agrabah. Casting details and breakdowns for each show can be found HERE. Note there are strict age and height requirements.

The cities and dates are as follows:

• Chicago: Nov. 7 & 8
• Los Angeles: Nov. 11, 12 & 14
• Atlanta: Dec. 12 & 13
• Toronto: Jan. 16 & 17
• Washington, D.C.: March 12 & 13
• Orlando: April 9 & 10
• Miami: April 12 & 13
• Dallas: April 30 & May 1
• New Orleans: May 7

Last year marked Disney’s 20th anniversary of its first Broadway venture, Beauty and the Beast. As many as 12 shows have been produced to transform classic stories in new and exciting ways. The Lion King musical – based on the 1994 Disney animated film – made its Broadway debut in 1997, and has become the highest grossing production on The Great White Way at more than $1 billion. Aladdin opened on Broadway March 2014 and Tokyo, Japan, this May. It has a Germany debut in December and enters West End next year.

The galvanizing experience of these musicals, which have been seen by millions of people, can be felt in the friendly airport sing-off  by members of each cast during a six-hour delay earlier this year.

Stay up to date to Disney On Broadway through its official YouTube Channel.

The post Disney Multi-City Casting Call: Are You The Next Simba or Aladdin? 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

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