Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of DISNEY’S THE LION KING. Detroit’s most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from Thursday, November 29 to Sunday, January 6. The press opening night is Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m. This Detroit engagement is currently one of nine productions running worldwide along with New York, a second United States National Tour, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, South Korea, Johannesburg, South Africa and a French-language production in Paris.

The malevolent and evil “Scar” will be played by Timothy Carter, who is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Carter’s credits include The Three Musketeers and Macbeth with The Acting Company; King Lear, As You Like It, and Julius Caesar at Colorado Shakespeare Festival; Richard III and Merry Wives of Windsor at Nebraska Shakespeare Festival; and Hay Fever at Westport County Playhouse. Dionne Randolph will play the lion king “Mufasa.” Mr. Randolph’s credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, Little Shop of Horrors and Once on this Island. Phindile Mkhize, a native of South Africa, is the wise “Rafiki.” Ms. Mkhize has traveled to Germany, Australia, Holland and Amsterdam performing and sharing her talents, and her credits include The Lion King Soundtrack ‘94, Sarafina 2; Mama, Maria, Maria, and WozaMyFohloza.

The meerkat “Timon” will be played by Mark Shunock, who has appeared in productions of Romance, Beauty and the Beast, Princess Turandot, The Skin Of Our Teeth, Howie The Rookie and Lovelace: The Musical. Mark Cameron Pow, who will portray “Zazu,” is a native of England and has appeared Off-Broadway in Comedy of Errors, King Lear, and The Iliad I. And Ben Lipitz, is “Pumbaa,” the warthog; Mr. Lipitz’ stage credits include Red, Hot and Blue, Just So, ART, Dirty Blonde, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Erica Ash, a native of Atlanta, Georgia who attended Emory University and has appeared on the television show The Big Gay Sketch Show on the Logo network, is the lioness “Nala.” Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” will be played by André Jackson, who won the Drama Critic's Circle “Best Featured Actor” Award for his role in Mark Stein's "The Scottsboro Boys" and was presented with the 2007 NAACP Theatre Award for his performance in August Wilson's, "Joe Turner's Come And Gone.”

The three hyenas will be played by: Randy Donaldson (“Banzai”), whose past credits include “Five Guys Named Moe” and Broadway’s “Wonderful Town” and “Annie Get You Gun;” Jayne Trinette (“Shenzi”), whose credits include Caroline or Change, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Nuncrackers; and Michael Nathanson (“Ed”), whose credits include Romeo & Juliet, God of Desire, Don’t Hug Me and TempOdyssey.

Now in its tenth sold-out year in New York at the New Amsterdam Theatre, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for THE LION KING. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the 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.

In Detroit THE LION KING ticket prices range from $17 to $80. In addition, VIP seating which includes special services at the theatre is available for $130. Beginning Friday, September 14, tickets will be available at the Detroit Opera House Box Office, any Ticketmaster Outlet, and online at Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call Ticketmaster at 248-645-6666. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling (313) 872-1132, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or emailing groupsales@nederlanderdetroit.com. Priority seating is also available for subscribers of the 2007-2008 Broadway in Detroit season.