MIAMI-RAISED ACTRESS, SYNDEE WINTERS, TO PLAY “NALA”

MIAMI’S LIMITED PREMIERE ENGAGEMENT PLAYS
MAY 15 TO JUNE 10
AT THE ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER

Miami, Florida – Monday, April 30 – Casting has been announced for the Miami premiere engagement of DISNEY’S THE LION KING. South Florida’s most eagerly awaited stage production will leap onto the stage of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on Tuesday, May 15 and runs through Sunday, June 10. A press opening will be held on Thursday, May 17 at 8 p.m.

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”).
The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.

In Miami, THE LION KING will play Tuesday, May 15 through Sunday, June 10 under the following schedule:
Tuesdays: 8:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 8:00 p.m.
Fridays*: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Sundays**: 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
*There will be a special 2:00 p.m. matinee on Friday, June 8.
**There will not be a 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, June 10.

Ticket prices start as low 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 North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 13.9 million theatergoers and grossed over $920 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Miami premiere at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the performing arts.

The Broadway in Miami 2011-2012 season is made possible with the generous support of Bank of America and is presented by Florida Theatrical Association, Broadway Across America and the Adrienne Arsht Center.

ABOUT THE LION KING
In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.  Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, on tour in Japan, and in Tokyo, London’s West End, Hamburg and Madrid. A UK tour launches in August of this year.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999
Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

On stage, Taymor’s creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”

Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (Production Supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

Visit www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information for details and schedules.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from
local, state and national foundations, as well as private contributions to the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation through corporate and individual giving, Visionary Society membership and the Encore Circle major gifts programs.

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About the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. Made possible by Miami-Dade County’s largest ever public/private-sector partnership, the Center is home to the Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy. In addition, numerous South Florida arts organizations perform in its theaters regularly. Since opening in 2006, the Center has emerged as a leader in offering and presenting innovative programming that mirrors South Florida’s diversity, as a catalyst for development in Miami, and as a host of impactful community outreach and education programs.

Designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the venue is comprised of the 2,400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House, the 2,200-seat John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall, the black box Carnival Studio Theater, the Peacock Education Center, a restored Carnival Art Deco Tower, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. Studio, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. Education Center, and the outdoor Parker and Vann Thomson

Plaza for the Arts. The Carnival tower, an architectural icon from one of Miami’s oldest Art Deco buildings, houses the street-level BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Lounge (scheduled to open in fall 2010). Events impresario and restaurateur Barton G. Weiss brought his signature style to the Center in 2009 with PRELUDE BY BARTON G, a full-service upscale restaurant.

Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.

About Broadway Across America
BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theatre website for news, exclusive content and
ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO – Theater Division), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Nick Jonas and Beau Bridges, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Godspell, Memphis, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and the New York and US touring productions of Million
Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

Broadway Across America–Miami is presented in arrangement with Florida Theatrical Association, a non-profit civic organization with a volunteer board of trustees established to ensure the continued presentation of quality national touring Broadway productions in the state of Florida.

About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 57 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,750 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world’s leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America is delivering on a 10-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2010, making the bank one of the largest corporate cash donors in the United States. As a global company serving clients through operations in more than 40 countries, Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Reaffirming a commitment to develop and sustain a culture of service, bank associate volunteers contributed more than one million hours in 2010 to enhance the quality of life in their communities worldwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation 

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

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