At This Performance

February 25, 2026 – 7:00pm

Rafiki will be played by

Nteliseng is honored to be making her Broadway debut and joins directly from the Hamburg company of The Lion King. Other credits include Miriam Makeba in The Journey (Zurich), Brenda Fassie in Memeba (Johannesburg) and I’m African (Welkom).

Appearing in the Ensemble

Phylicia Pearl Mpasi

You may recognize her as "Young Celie" from the recent The Color Purple musical movie, produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg for which she won an NAACP Image Award. And a writer for Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies on Paramount+. Love to her family and friends. Beyto Bayayi! IG: @phyliciapearl

Appearing in the Ensemble

Jacqueline Tate

Credits: The Lion King (Gazelle and Cheetah companies), Aida (Aida), Rent (Mimi & Joanne Cover), Ain't Misbehavin' (Charlaine), The Wiz (Dorothy), Once on this Island (Andrea), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (National Tour). @jacquelineorene

Specialties

Stilt Giraffe

Christopher L. McKenzie Jr.

Native of Miami. Training: New World School of the Arts, The Ailey School. Credits: Dallas Black Dance Theatre, “Festival of The Lion King”, The Lion King Gazelle & Rafiki Tour. Thank you to my husband & family.

Fireflies

Samantha Barriento

Samantha is a native of NY, graduating from LaGuardia High School and Fordham University. She has performed with Ailey II, Step One Dance Company and the Lion Rafiki Tour. All Gratitude to family and God. @samantha_barriento.

At This Performance

February 25, 2026 – 7:00pm

Rafiki will be played by

Appearing in the Ensemble

Appearing in the Ensemble

Specialties

Stilt Giraffe

Fireflies

This performance will be conducted by Cherie Rosen.