At This Performance

March 14, 2026 – 8:00pm

Nala will be played by

Amanda Kunene is an South African singer, actress and performer. Born in Durban, South Africa. BA Music and Drama Studies graduate and BA Honors in Music Performance graduate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College campus.

Shenzi will be played by

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

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

Specialties

Ant Hill Lady / 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.

Gazelle Wheel

Alia Kache

A choreographer, dance educator and costume designer, Alia is pleased to return to the Broadway company of The Lion King. Favorite credits include Ailey II (dancer and rehearsal director), Camille A. Brown & Dancers, CeDeCe (Alcobaça, Portugal), and Metropolitan Opera. Instagram: @luvlicap

Stilt Giraffe

Derrick Spear

Overjoyed to be making his Broadway debut with The Lion King. Companies: The Lion King Las Vegas and North American tour (Gazelle), Washington Reflection Dance Company, National Ballet of San Domingo. I would like to thank my parents, family and friends for their constant and overflowing prayers and support! Peace and Love!

Buzzard Pole

Andrew Arrington

Regional premiere of Kander & Ebb’s Scottsboro Boys. The Lion King Las Vegas. Nat’l tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: Showboat (Carnegie Hall), Godspell (workshop), Disney’s High School Musical 2, Respect (NYSAF). TV: CBS “My Broadway Debut.” University of Michigan.