PLEASE DO NOT 'LIVE' THIS IS A DUPE THE LION KING OPENS TONIGHT

DISNEY’S THE LION KING

OPENS TONIGHT AT THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER

FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

The Miami premiere of Disney’s THE LION KING opens tonight at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, June 10.

THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. with an additional performance on Friday, June 8 at 2 p.m.

“South Florida is in for a roaring spectacle as Disney’s The Lion King finally makes its Miami premiere at the Arsht Center,” said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “Since our successful ticket on-sale event in early February, fans have shown their excitement for Broadway’s biggest musical by continuously filling up our box office and requesting the best seats in the house. It is incredible to see and feel the buzz grow for this show, and we’re certain it will be only be greater after tonight’s sold-out performance!”

Great tickets are still available and start as low as as $36.50. VIP Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at the Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office, online at www.arshtcenter.org and over the phone at 305-949-6722. Regular box office hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 786-468-2326 or 954-626-7814 or by email at groupsales@arshtcenter.org.

THE LION KING began as a 1994 animated feature-length film developed and produced by the Walt Disney Company. The story, a coming of age parable set among animals indigenous to its setting, the African savanna, tells the tale of Simba, the lion cub who rises to be the King of the jungle.

The talented cast of 50 actors includes two local connections.

Syndee Winters, who plays the loyal lioness “Nala,” is a Miami native and graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School. Prior to joining THE LION KING North American Tour, Winters worked as a dancer/choreographer throughout Miami. 

Sharron Williams, an ensemble dancer, was born and raised in Miami and is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts.

The sardonic and deviously cunning “Scar” is played by J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is “Mufasa,” the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Buyi Zama is the wise baboon shaman “Rafiki.” Mark David Kaplan portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird “Zazu.” Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog “Pumbaa” and Nick Cordileone is the wisecracking meerkat “Timon.” Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” the lion prince born to be king, is played by Jelani Remy. The three evil hyenas are played by Keith Bennett (“Banzai”), Rashada Dawan (“Shenzi”) and Robbie Swift (“Ed”).

Currently spending his time between New York and Florida, Beau was born to a theatrical family in Brooklyn. He studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and at HB Studios. He studied theater singing with Julia Sperratore and Helen Gallagher. Beau later taught drama at the Lincoln Center Square for the Arts. It was at this time Beau began working with the Theater Development Fund and helped found New York's famed HALF PRICE TICKET BOOTH. Early in his career, Beau was screen tested and contracted for Warner Brothers. He co-hosted, an early cable variety series on Manhattan's Teleprompter channel. At this time he directed the Johnny Specca musical, SEX IS..? at the Lincoln Center Library Theater. Beau has performed Off-Broadway in FAT FELL DOWN, The Comic Strip Theater's LITTLE LULU AND THE INVISIBLE INK and WILL THE REAL ZOOPERMAN PLEASE STAND UP. Around the country he has delighted audiences with his performances in ANYTHING GOES, THE APPLE TREE, GUYS & DOLLS, and HELLZAPOPPIN! He sang for New York audiences at such cabarets as The Duplex and Upstairs at the Downstairs. He has had numerous television appearances but is most proud to have been a winning contestant on the game shows JACKPOT and THE $20,000 PYRAMID.

More Articles by This Author...