When the Tony-award winning show starts at the Minskoff Theatre on May 24, the audience will be happy to see Nala being played by Pearl Khwezi. The charismatic actress from South Africa, replaces Adrienne Walker, after her last month’s last performance.
Khwezi had joined the show originally in 2016, while they were in Madrid. In 2018, she later became a member of the Broadway production company while handling the roles of Nala and Rafiki.
The Lion King first debuted on Broadway on November 13, 1997. Since then, it has had 25 global show productions with almost 110 million have watched it. Directed by Thomas Schumacher (for Disney Theatrical Productions), the musical is an international hit that has been played in more than 100 cities from 21 countries. The show has been seen on all continents except Antarctica. It has grossed a significant amount of money worldwide that surpasses any show on Broadway, film, or other forms of entertainment in the history of the box office. The Lion King Broadway tickets to the nearest shows in your hometown are available on our site.
The Lion King is a proud winner of six Tony awards in 1998: Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography (by Garth Fagan), Best Lighting Design (by Donald Holder), Best Costume Design (by Julie Taymor), Best Scenic Design (by Richard Hudson), and the Best Musical.
Furthermore, the global hit musical is also a prestigious recipient of over 70 awards in major arts. These awards include the Laurence Olivier Awards (1999) for the Best Costume Design and Best Choreography, the Evening Standard (1999) for the year’s Best Theatrical Event, the Grammy (1999) for the Show Album with the best musical, and the NY Drama Critics Circle Award (1998) for the Best Musical.
Julie Taymor, who wears a triple hat as the mask co-designer, the costume designer, and director of the show, enjoys the privilege of being the awards first female recipient of directing a musical; she currently continues in her role to supervise and manage new performances as the show tour the world.
The score of the Broadway musical features songs from Tim Rice and Elton John as they both had new and old songs for the hit; further music material was contributed by Hans Zimmer, Julie Taymor, Jay Rifkin, and Lebo M, Mark Mancina.
The book was treated to a perfect adaptation through Roger Allers, who was a co-director of the Lion King Animation, as well as Irene Mecchi, a co-writer of the screenplay of the film.
