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THE PROGRAM

PROFILES

[[image: Black and white photograph of Tom Hewitt]]
TOM HEWITT (Scar), Broadway: Art (Standby), The School for Scandal, The Sisters Rosensweig.  Off-Broadway: Jeffrey, Beau Jest, Pericles, Othello. Recent regional credits: Uncle Vanya (Arena Stage), Blithe Spirit and Racing Demon (Guthrie), Jane Eyre (Paper Mill Playhouse), Antony and Cleopatra (Shakespeare Theatre). T.V. and film credits include Frasier, The George Carlin Show, numerous soaps, and Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire. Tom is a native of Montana.

[[image:  Black and white photograph of Samuel E. Wright]]
SAMUEL E. WRIGHT (Mufasa), who originated the role of Mufasa, has appeared on Broadway in Promises, Promises; Jesus Christ Superstar; Two Gentlemen of Verona; Pippin; Over Here; Cy Coleman's Welcome to the Club; Mule Bone; and The Tap Dance Kid (Tony nomination). Mr. Wright portrayed Dizzy Gillespie in Bird and Sebastian the calypso crab in Disney's The Little Mermaid (his song, "Under the Sea" won an Oscar). His Disney album, Sebastian, has been RIAA Certified Gold.

[[image: black and white photograph of Thuli Dumakude]]  THULI DUMAKUDE (Rafiki), winner of the Olivier Best Actress and Obie Awards for her title role as Poppie Nongena; originated the Madre in Julie Taymor's Juan Darién: A Carnival Mass. As producer, actress, and/or director, Ms. Dumakude toured p0-internationally with Sarafina!, Sheila's Day, Zulu Macbeth, Journey Back Home, Bongi's Journey, and her one-woman show Buya Africa (three Audelco Awards for performance, direction, and production). Thuli manages the Durban Children's Theater Company in her native South Africa. 

[[image: black and white photograph of Robert Dorfman]] ROBERT DORFMAN (Zazu) appeared in Andrew Bergman's Social Security, directed by Mike Nichols. Off-Broadway credits include Tony Kushner's A Dybbuk, Terrence McNally's The Lisbon Traviata, and Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart. A long-time associate artist with Baltimore's Center Stage, he's had a regional career spanning 25 years and almost as many states. His extensive film and television credits include Julie Taymor's Fool's Fire for American Playhouse.

[[image: black and white photograph of Tom Alan Robbins]] TOM ALAN ROBBINS (Pumbaa) originated the role of Pumbaa.  Broadway: original companies of Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Threepenny Opera (with Sting), Sunset Boulevard, and Once upon a Mattress.  National Tour: Les Misérables (Thernardier). Off-Broadway: On the Verge, Isn't It Romantic, The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket, The Cradle Will Rock. Television: Seinfeld, NYPD Blue, A Different World, Murder She Wrote, Down the Shore. Series regular-Baby Talk. Alumnus-The Acting Company. Graduate-Juilliard.

[[image: black and white photograph of John E. Brady]] JOHN E. BRADY (Timon).  Broadway: debut. Off-Broadway: Fantasticks, Little Me, TheaterSports. Regional: Cleveland Playhouse, Philadelphia Theater Co., American Stage, Virginia Stage. T.V.: Law and Order, One Life to Live, Conan O'Brian. Film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II. Over 50 commercials. He is married to actress Sue Brady and has a bird, a dog, and a beautiful son named Donovan. Thanks to family and friends for their unwavering support.

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THE PROGRAM

[[image: black and white photograph of Jason Raize]] JASON RAIZE (Simba), Broadway's original Simba, has just released "Taste the Tears," the first single from his forthcoming Deston/Universal Records solo pop album, NYC. Produced by Desmond Child and written by master tunesmith Diane Warren, the single is now available at record stores. Visit www.jasonraize.com for more information, photographs, and contests. Jason is an official Ambassador of Goodwill for the United Nations.

[[image: black and white photograph of Bashirrah Creswell]] BASHIRRAH CRESWELL (Nala) is ecstatic to be making her Broadway debut. A native of Philadelphia, Ms. Creswell trained with the Freedom Repertory Program and recently received a B.F.A. in acting from Marymount Manhattan College.  Stage credits include: The Colored Museum (Lala), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Silvia), and Antigone (Ismene). Bashirrah gives special thanks to God, her family, and the artistic staff of The Lion King for their love and support.

[[image: black and white photograph of Keith Bennett]] KEITH BENNETT (Banzai). In L.A. Keith has done numerous television shows, independent movies, and voice-overs, but his favorite roles are Henry Rodriguez in Stand-Up Tragedy (Cincinnati Playhouse), Butch in Bo Bo's (Players and Play Theatre), Melvin Smeltz in No Place to Be Me (Center Stage), and Ragner in Master Builder. On Broadway: Oh! Kay, A Chorus Line, and The High Rollers. He now has his degree. 

[[image: black and white photograph of Jeff Gurner]] JEFF GURNER (Ed).  Broadway debut. New York: The London Cuckolds (Ned Ramble, American premiere) and The Man of Destiny (Napoleon Bonaparte), both Protean Theatre Co. Regional: Brimstone (Berkshire Theatre Festival, cast album), Silver Dollar (Goodspeed), Buddy (Ordway Music Theatre), Pump Boys & Dinettes (Cherry County Playhouse), etc. Jeff has played bass or guitar on numerous albums for various artists. He has appeared on television and has done many commercials and voice-overs for radio and television. Graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts/Circle-in-the-Square. For Mom, Larry, and Jordy.

[[image: black and white photograph of Vanessa A. Jones]] VANESSA A. JONES (Shenzi), an original Lion King cast member, is now proud to be performing the role of Shenzi. Last seen on Broadway in Juan Darién and Buddy, Ms. Jones toured with Jesus Christ Superstar (understudying Mary Magdalene), the 25th-anniversary tour of Hair, Dreamgirls, Ain't Misbehavin', Godspell, Mama I Want to Sing, and portrayed Epatha Washington in Elmer Gantry. Praise be to God from whom all my blessings flow.

[[image:  black and white photograph of Mwanzaa I. Brown]] MWANZAA I. BROWN (Young Simba at certain performances), nine, a fourth grader at P.S. 9, gives soulful thanks to God and Spirit for this opportunity. He gives special acknowledgement to his tutors, Ms. Daphne Richards (drama), Boys Harbor of Performing Arts; Ms. Joann Crawford (tap), Technique Dance; and Mr. Benny Key, his patient vocal coach. Mwanzaa asks his ancestors to continue to help him bring out his best. Dad, this one's for you.

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