Disney's The Lion King Program Book (2026)

DEAR FRIENDS Welcome

Thank you for choosing to see a performance at Playhouse Square. We encourage you take in the historic beauty of our theaters and the bright lights of Euclid Avenue while you’re here. Our staff and RedCoat volunteers are ready to make your visit as memorable and enjoyable as possible.

Playhouse Square was saved by the community for the community, and we are proud to be the stewards of the legacy left to us by previous generations — now one of Cleveland’s brightest cultural gems. Our not-for-profit mission charges us to go beyond simply maintaining these incredible venues.

Every day we work to present a diverse offering of quality performances — Broadway, concerts, comedy, dance, film, family shows and more. We support arts education through a variety of programs that take place in the classroom, online and here at Playhouse Square. We lead a vibrant downtown destination that generates an annual economic impact exceeding $359 million for the region. Equally important are your experience and the memories you take with you.

This season we proudly opened three national Broadway tours and next season we will open two, all made possible by Ohio’s theater tax credit, the talented crew and staff here at Playhouse Square, and you, our enthusiastic audiences. We invite you to consider joining our community of season tickets holders for the 2026-27 KeyBank Broadway Series. If you are already a season ticket holder, we thank you and hope you are as excited for next season as we are! Now, settle into your seat, leave the world outside for a little while and let yourself become absorbed in the magic of the story on stage before you.

With best wishes,

Craig Hassall AM President & CEO

Brent Ballard Chair, Board of Trustees

SEP. 25 - OCT. 11, 2026

OCT. 23 - NOV. 8, 2026

NOV. 27 - DEC. 20, 2026

FEB. 5 - 21,

APR.

SPOTLIGHT ON The

District

SUMMER IN THE PSQ DISTRICT

APPLAUSE FOR THESE OVERTURES

You can now enjoy a thoughtfully crafted three-course dinner for two at Cibreo or Republic Food + Drink before your next show. Ask your server for the “Overture” menu at either restaurant and choose two entrees plus an appetizer and dessert to share.

From live events to outdoor activities, the Playhouse Square District is packed with can’t-miss experiences this summer. Check out a few below:

Fitness Fridays presented by Medical Mutual

On Friday mornings from now through August 28, enjoy a free outdoor summer series of energizing and instructor-led group fitness classes on the Plaza! From 7 to 8 a.m., stay active and take advantage of the sights and sounds of the PSQ district.

Get Your Game On

Get ready for some fun! Every Thursday from July 23 to August 27, Playhouse Square Plaza transforms into a lively outdoor summer playground. From 11 a.m.–2 p.m., visitors of all ages can enjoy a mix of classic lawn games, hands-on interactive activities and video game trucks, making it a perfect midday destination for entertainment and relaxation.

Patio Dining

Sunshine + warmer weather means patio dining is available at various locations in the PSQ District, including Corbo’s Bakery, Sittoo’s, Parnell’s Pub, Bin 216, Yours Truly, 1942 Tacos and Tequila, Hofbräuhaus, Something Good Social Kitchen, and Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen. Whether you’re dining or relaxing, patio furniture is also now available on the Playhouse Square Plaza. For more information on dining in the Playhouse Square District, visit playhousesquare.org/dining.

Ready to make the most of summer in the city? From unforgettable performances to lively outdoor events, Playhouse Square is your go-to destination for nonstop fun. Explore everything happening this season at playhousesquare.org/summer.

SHARE YOUR LOVE FOR PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Ohio residents can show their passion for Playhouse Square as they hit the road with the new Playhouse Square organizational license plate. All Ohio motorists are eligible to purchase the specialty license plate which features the Playhouse Square burgundy logo. For more information and pricing, please visit bmv.ohio.gov or your local BMV Deputy Registrar License Agency. A portion of the proceeds from these license plates go back to Playhouse Square.

Keep Moving Forward

SPOTLIGHT ON Sensory-Friendly Programming

We believe every child and family deserves the opportunity to experience the joy, wonder, and connection that live theater can bring. Sensory-friendly programming creates a welcoming environment where children and adults of all abilities can feel comfortable, included, and celebrated. Supporting these performances at Playhouse Square allows us to help make the arts accessible to families who might not otherwise have the chance to share in these unforgettable moments together. — Norm and Denise Wells

Playhouse Square is proud to offer sensory-friendly programming, presented by Denise G. and Norman E. Wells, Jr., that expand access to the arts for individuals with sensory, social or cognitive sensitivities. These modified experiences create an inclusive and judgment-free environment where all audience members can fully engage with live theater.

Sensory-friendly performances maintain the magic of a live show while incorporating thoughtful adjustments, including:

Lower sound levels, especially for startling or loud sounds

Guests are free to talk, leave their seats and move freely during the performance

House lights in the theater are left on low throughout the performance

Designated calming areas staffed by volunteer specialists are available

Availability of noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys

These accommodations ensure that families who may find a traditional theater setting overwhelming can experience the connection and inspiration of the performing arts together.

YOUR IMPACT

Through the Education Fund, generous donors make these inclusive experiences possible, removing barriers and opening the doors of Playhouse Square to every student and family who deserves to belong. With your gift, you give the magic and joy of the performing arts.

Officers

Chair

TRUSTEES Playhouse Square

Brent D. Ballard*

President & CEO

Craig Hassall AM*

Vice Chair, Brand & Marketing

Andrea Hogben*

Vice Chair, Engagement

Rick Buoncore*

Vice Chair, Education

Bob Helmer*

Vice Chair, Finance

Mark D. Ross*

Vice Chair, Governance & Nominating

Amy G. Brady*

Vice Chair, Government Affairs

Paul J. Dolan*

Vice Chair, Real Estate Development

Teresa Metcalf Beasley*

Secretary/Treasurer

Heather Lennox*

Terry Adelman

Thomas W. Adler*

Himanshu Amin

Steven M. Auvil

Michael Baston

Gina Beredo

Jodi Berg

Laura Bloomberg

Jim Boland

Paul Carleton

Scott Chaikin*

John G. Chapman, Sr.*

Bill Cosgrove

James Graham

Lawrence H. Hatch

J. David Heller

Jason Hillman

David Jacobs*

Louis G. Joseph

Patrice (Patsy) Kouvas

Edward J. Largent

Todd Leombruno

Matt Litzler

Joe Matuszewski

Heath Monesmith

Beth Mooney*

Jon H. Outcalt*

Patrick M. Pastore

James A. Ratner*

Neal R. Restivo

Luci Schey

William R. Seelbach

David B. Sewell

Doug Spiker

Sara Ellen Stashower

Duncan Stuart

J.D. Sullivan, Jr.

Alex Szilvas

Kurt C. Treu

Leila L. Vespoli

Tracy Vigh

Molly Walsh

Neil C. Weinberger

Denise G. Wells

Thomas M. Welsh

Debra A. Wert

Trustee for Life

Warren Anderson

William B. Lawrence

James R. Pender

K.K. Sullivan

Lawrence J. Wilker

National Trustee

Thomas C. Stevens

Chairs Emeritus

Oliver C. Henkel, Jr.‡

John F. Lewis‡

Julien L. McCall‡

Forrest D. Hayes‡

Glenn R. Brown‡

Jon H. Outcalt

Henry F. Eaton‡

K.K. Sullivan

Thomas W. Adler

Thomas C. Stevens

David S. Goodman

James A. Ratner

Amy G. Brady

*Executive Committee ‡Deceased as of 6/9/26

To be a leader in placemaking, the advancement of arts education, and the presentation and production of performing arts experiences.

Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler For advertising information, please contact Corey Galloway: 216-377-3638

INVEST

Make bold, smart investments to help stabilize Ohio arts and culture.

ENGAGE

Spark authentic dialogue about the unique strength and value of the arts.

INNOVATE LEAD

Drive Ohio’s arts community toward forward-looking and adaptable creative evolution.

Play an active leadership role in ensuring equity and resilience in Ohio’s arts and cultural sector.

Learn more about our grant programs and resources, find your next arts experience, or connect: OAC.OHIO.GOV.

Image Credit: Art Central Foundation, Art Buffet

GIVING BACK to Playhouse Square

Playhouse Square brings the arts to everyone — but we can’t do it alone. As a nonprofit, we rely on generous support from individuals, foundations and corporations. Help us inspire, educate and connect the community. Donate today through one of our giving programs.

Individuals who support Playhouse Square with an annual gift of $50 or more receive exclusive benefits that enhance their theater experience, including pre-sale access, reserved seating and more.

CONTACT: Mary Winchester, 216-640-8412; playhousesquare.org/donorcircle

Businesses can make a lasting impact through the Corporate Donor Circle, gaining valuable benefits while enhancing visibility and building stronger community connections.

CONTACT: Sarah Stengel, 216-640-8408; playhousesquare.org/corporatedonorcircle

2025-26 Partners Co-Chairs: Maria O’Neill & Jeremiah Guappone

Playhouse Square’s official young professionals group for those in their 20s and 30s, the mission of Partners is to cultivate a vibrant community of emerging leaders who celebrate the arts and dedicate their talents to Playhouse Square.

CONTACT: Katie Remark, 216-640-8721; playhousesquare.org/partners

Connect, inspire and make an impact. Join Leading Ladies — a vibrant network of women who champion the arts and shape the future of Playhouse Square through philanthropy, friendship and unforgettable experiences.

CONTACT: Leanne Dewyer, 216-640-8411; playhousesquare.org/leadingladies

Open. Unique. Together. OUT at Playhouse Square unites LGBTQ+ individuals and allies through a shared love of live theater. This vibrant community enjoys exclusive events, meaningful connections and opportunities to support and celebrate the arts together.

CONTACT: Jason Brown, 216-238-4910; playhousesquare.org/OUT

The Legacy Circle celebrates those who include Playhouse Square in their estate plans, helping to sustain the arts for future generations. Members are recognized for their generosity and commitment to world-class performances, education and community programs. It’s a lasting way to support what you love.

CONTACT: Leanne Dewyer, 216-640-8411; playhousesquare.org/legacycircle

Donating to the Playhouse Square Education Fund supports high-quality programs, workshops and field trips that are accessible to participants at low or no cost. These initiatives foster creativity and a lifelong appreciation of the arts. Give a one-time donation or join the HEART Circle to provide ongoing support with a monthly donation.

CONTACT: Victoria Gray, 216-640-8417; playhousesquare.org/educationfund

SPECIAL THANKS to our sponsors

ORCHID SPONSOR

ROSE SPONSOR

PEONY SPONSORS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

DIAMOND LEVEL and Beth Mooney

Terry & Sheldon Adelman

Warren E. Anderson Family

Steve & Ann Pigoni

AJ & Nancy Stokes

PLATINUM LEVEL

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP • Deloitte LLP

Jones Day • Ohio CAT • Roetzel & Andress, LPA Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

TULIP SPONSORS MAI Capital Management

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

MARKETING SPONSOR

PRINT & DESIGN SPONSORS

SHOP NIGHT SPONSOR Pope’s Kitchen

Heather Moore & Jim Brown • James & Susan Ratner

Stewart Kohl • Don & Cathy Sinko

Stephenie & Doug Spiker • Kathryn & Duncan Stuart

Gina M. Vernaci & William D. Hilyard

GOLD LEVEL

Tom & Joanie Adler • The Brewer-Garrett Company

Calfee & Halter & Griswold LLP • Cleveland-Cliffs Comfort Control System

Corinne L. Dodero Foundation for the Arts & Sciences

Irving & Gloria Fine Foundation • IBM

Mike & Diane Kennedy • Stewart Kohl

Liberty Development Company • Bill & Joyce Litzler

Jane & Jon Outcalt • PwC • Anita Scanlon

David & Kim Sewell • Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Siracusa

Dan & Molly Walsh • Debra & James Wert

SILVER LEVEL

Jeff & Lori Christian • Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Guardians • Covia Holdings LLC

Jerry & Charlotte Eccher • Ernst & Young

Nicholas G. Guglielmo • Bob & Linda Helmer

Dave & Brenda Jacobs • John G. Johnson Construction

Jones Day • KPMG LLP • Douglas Martin

Ken & Sharon Mountcastle • Parker Hannifin

Ritenour Group • Roetzel & Andress LLP • Mark Ross

Lori & Paul Rupert • Diana & Steve Strongosky

K.K. & Joe Sullivan • Tata Consultancy Services

Kurt Treu • Union Home Mortgage

Leila & Tony Vespoli

AS OF NOVEMBER 4, 2025

Playhouse Square Donor Recognition

With sincere gratitude, we recognize the following individuals, organizations, and foundations who have provided generous support at the Gold Founder level or higher to Playhouse Square through an annual gift. Listing current as of 5/21/26.

Individuals & Foundations

President

($50,000 and higher)

Patricia & John Chapman

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture

Dennis & Judy Engel

Charitable Fund

Kulas Foundation

Mawaka Foundation

John P. Murphy Foundation

Ohio Arts Council

The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation - Bruce & Ellen Mavec

Director

($25,000-$49,999)

Sheldon & Terry Adelman

Joanie & Tom Adler

The Buoncore Family

George W. Codrington

Charitable Foundation

Corinne L. Dodero Foundation for the Arts & Sciences

Educational Foundation of America

Michael Frank & Pat Snyder‡

David & Robin Gunning

Dave & Brenda Jacobs

Martha Holden Jennings Foundation

Junior League of Cleveland’s Children’s Theatre Endowment Fund

William B. & Mary

Margaret Lawrence

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Litzler

Beth E. Mooney

Michael Olah & Kelly Masarik

Jane & Jon Outcalt

Kathy & Jim Pender and the Michael Pender Fund

James & Julie Pooler

James & Susan Ratner

Mark & Shelly Saltzman

The Ralph & Lucille Schey Foundation

Kimberley & David Sewell

Kevin & Kristen Stein

The Veale Foundation

Tony & Leila Vespoli

Producer ($15,000-$24,999)

The Abington Foundation

Himanshu & Leslie Amin

The Warren Anderson Family

Brent & Ann Ballard

Gina & Cip Beredo

Jodi Berg

Sandy Borrelli

Amy & Stan‡ Brady

Dr. John F. Burke, Jr. & Judge Nancy Fuerst

Paul & Sherry Carleton

Jim & Mary Conway

Natalie & Paul Cooper

The Dalrymple Family

Robert A. & Joan P. Ellis

Lou, Ann, & Damon Frangos

Connie Frankino

James Graham & David Dusek

Rochelle & Harley Gross

Donald & Nancy‡ Hansen

Hodgson Family Foundation

Andrea Hogben

Jeff & Jill Hurt

Paul & Jody Kiebler

Patrice Kouvas

Rich & Stacey Kyle

Edward & Jacque Largent

Todd & Jen Leombruno

Bill & Joyce Litzler

John & Mary Ann Mastrantoni

Dennis & Tammy Matecun

Jim & Amy Merlino

Karen & Dan Moon

National Endowment for the Arts

James A. Nelson Fund for Theatre in Cleveland

The Paintstone Foundation

Parkinson’s Foundation

The Perkins Charitable Foundation

Ann & Steven Pigoni

James & Julie Pooler

Jeffrey & Danial Rand

Douglas & Stephenie Spiker

Tom & Chris Stevens

Kathryn & Duncan Stuart

J.D. & Catherine

Sullivan**

Kurt Conrad Treu

Mrs. Karen Walburn

Neil C. Weinberger**

Denise G. & Norman E.

Wells, Jr.

Thomas H. White Foundation

Platinum Founder ($10,000-$14,999)

Anonymous (1)

Steven & Elise Auvil

Dr. Michael & Mrs. Tasha Baston

Teresa Metcalf Beasley

Faris Beeler

Lindsey, Luke & Thatcher Beffa

Fred & Mary Behm

Christopher & Kimberly Berger

Laura & Jon Bloomberg

Jim & Mallie Boland

Dwight Bowden

Eva L. & Joseph M.

Bruening Foundation

Anne Burr

Scott Chaikin & Mary Beth Cooper

Rick & Sheila Chiricosta

Christopher & Sara Connor

David Coury & Shelly Grisik

Ann & Terry Coyne Family Foundation

Donald J. & Mary Jo Dailey

The Dolan Family

Beth Dozoretz

Irving & Gloria Fine Foundation

The Char & Chuck Fowler Family Foundation

M.C. Fraser & James J. Rowell

Freeman Foundation

Jane Gase

Patricia A. Gaul

Dr. & Mrs. Gregg Good

Thomas & Jan Hablitzel

Craig Hassall AM

Linda & Lawrence Hatch**

J. David & Becky Heller

Bob & Linda Helmer

Helpful Bulldogge Fund

Mr. & Mrs. James & Christine Herrick

Jason & Meredith Hillman

Richard Horvitz & Erica Hartman Horvitz

George M. & Pamela S. Humphrey Fund

Bruce & Donna Jackson

Nathan & Katie Kelly

Mr. & Mrs. Michael A. Keresman

Joe & Calli Kohmann

The Koppelman-GoldsteinRobbins Family

Loretta Krejci

Lakeside Foundation

The Lariccia Family

Ronald Ledin

Heather Lennox & Douglas Krause

Edith Lerner

David & Carolyn Lincoln

The Lozick Foundation

David Maltz

Vandy L. Mathews

Joe & Nathan Matuszewski

Douglas & Charlotte‡ McGregor

Laura Milgram

Heath & Kimberly Monesmith

Heather Moore & Jim Brown

The Murch Foundation

Patricia Perry Nock

Mark & Paula Nylander

The O’Neill Brothers Foundation

Susan & John Onysko

Katie & Ken Outcalt

Edda & Terry Owen

Pat & Julie Pastore

Louis B. & Joan M. Perry

Family Foundation

Michael & Melanie Petras

Anne Pombier & Sandra Carlson

Esther & Hyman Rapport

Philanthropic Trust

Weslie & Neal Restivo

Risser Family Foundation

Ken & Amy Rogat

Carol & Walt Rosebrough

Mark D. Ross

Norman & Elisabeth Ryan

John & Ann Scanniello

Rick & Cheryl Schmitz

William & Nancy Seelbach

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen‡ H. Spaeth

Lauren & Steve Spilman

Pat & Alan Spitzer

Michele & Scott Steele

AJ & Nancy Stokes

K.K. & Joe Sullivan

Daniel & Mary Jo Sustar

Jason Sustar*

Tom & Cindi Sustersic

Eca & Rick Taylor

Tracy & Nicole Vigh**

Daniel & Molly Walsh

Randall & Andrew Watterson

Bill & Gia Weisberg

Debbie & Jim Wert

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Wilson

Bill Winans

The Wright Foundation

The Zaim Family

Sustaining Founder

($6,000-$9,999)

Anonymous (5)

John & Diane Andrica

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Angel

Scott & Jackie Arbogast

Chris & Karen Bailo

Daniel & Deborah Bandi

Greg & Jenny Barrett

Michael Baruschke &

Denise C. Huck**

Amy Benedict

The Bicknell Fund

Marilyn & Larry Blaustein

Gayle & Larry Boron

Heather & Steve Bossin

Suzanne & Akram Boutros

Elena Brown

Vincent C. Campanella

Chris Caputo

David & Jennifer Carter

Maria Cashy

Ella, Alyssa & Cheryl Cervar**

Jared & Linda Chaney

Christopher & Beth Chizmar

Bill & Cathy Christopher

Alex & Kelly Clarke

Mr. & Mrs. Robert T.

Clutterbuck

Laura & Ron Coill

Christopher & Ludy Cook

Dan & Darlene Crudele

Scott & Judi Dalton

Marisa Darden

Lori & Mark Davis

Sheila Delzani

Daniel & Bridget DeMonica

Veronica & Jesse Dickerson

Michelle Dietz & Andrew Cox

Marc & Gwenael Divis

Jason & Jennifer Drasner

Rebecca Dunn

Teri & Paul Eberl

Beverly & Stuart Eisner

Dr. & Mrs. Brad Evans

Trina Evans & Ken Birch

Joseph Farkas

Mr. Michael & Dr. Elizabeth Ferguson

Joseph Ferritto

Beverly Fittipaldo

Barbara & Howard Fleischmann

The Fortney Family Foundation

The Harry K. & Emma R.

Fox Charitable Foundation

Barbara & Fred Fruscella

Mrs. Barbara Galvin

joan m. gelb

Nancy & James Goldsmith

David & Julie Greene

Gries Family Foundation

James Griffiths

Jerry & Rose Grisko

Mr. Jeremiah Guappone &

Mr. Chad Lucas*

The Gunyula Family

Greg Haas

Kathleen E. Hancock

Daniel Harrington

Beth & Geoff Hauck

Matt & JoAnne Hayward

David & Lynn Heiman

Mrs. Lynn Heisler

Robert Herak

Mary Herrick

Jean & Richard Hipple

Michael & Jane Horvitz

Valerie A. Hughes

Bruce & Debbie Jarosz

David Jarus &

Karen Schuele

Robert & Christina Jones

Margy Judd**

Elizabeth Jukic

In Memory of Jean & Walter Kalberer

Aaron & Mara Kamat

Andrew & Katherine Kartalis

Josh & Nicky Kaufman

Danny Kelly

Leonard Kichler

Matthew & Kristen Kissling

Ann & Barry Klein

Howard & Susan Knicely

Edward & Julia Knotek

Jeffrey C. Knox & Lora Lewis

Alex I.‡ & Donna M. Koler

Angela & Christopher Kovacs

Terry Kovel

Janet L. Kramer

Charles & Carleen Kruger

Tom & Kristi Kuhnle

Tony & Maria Landl

Paul Lang &

Stephanie Wolfe

Mary Lynn & Gary Laughlin

Steffen & Paige Lauster

Leiken Family Foundation

Dean & Lynda Leonakis

Cathy & John‡ Lewis

Paul Lincoln &

Kathy Toderick

Joseph & Kim Little

David Logsdon

Mark & Shannon London

Kenneth & Anne Love

Jay & Lanee Lucarelli

Karen & Antonio Marallo

Marcia & Andrew

Margolius

Aaron & Stacy Marinelli

Michael & Marietta

Marquart

Joseph & Joyce Marquette

Bob & Jill Mayer

Reese & Nora Mayer

Ruth & Doug Mayers

Harry & Debbie McDonald

Family

Dan & Amy McKenna

Beth & Scott McMillen

Megan Lum Mehalko

Michener/Reed Family

Aaron Millikin & Anastasia Ryckman

Drs. Jeffrey & Kimberly Monteith

Barbara‡ & Gerhard Moskal and Family

Ronna Murray

Robert Myers

Steven & Kimberly Myers

Larrie & Amy Nadler

David & Ellen Nager

Deborah L. Neale

Steele Nowlin & Christine Jayjack

Bob & Ann O’Brien

Alexander & Jennifer Ogan

William J. & Katherine T. O’Neill

Jon & Robin Outcalt

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard W. Pagon

John & Terri Parker

Dr. Lydia Parker

Dr. Stephan Parker

Scott & Judy Pendergast

Doug Perkowski

Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Ponsky and Zac & Taryn Ponsky

Susan & Robert Price

The Reef Family

Sallie Reider

Jim & Tina Renacci

Sean & Lisa Richardson

Linda Rion-Waldock

John & Honey Lee Rodgers

Dr.‡ & Mrs. Fred Rothstein

Chuck & Kathy Rotuno

Drs. Edward & Teresa Ruch

Anita Scanlon

Nancy & Joe Scarpitti

Rinette Scarso Straffen

Sally & John Schulze

Marcy & Dennis Schwartz

Tara Scott

Richard J. Sedmak

Walter & Joyce Senney

Elisabeth & Bradley

Sherman

Dr. Daniel Simon & Dr. Marcy Schwartz

Don & Cathy Sinko

Anthony & Francesca

Siracusa

The Slater Family

Rick & Becky Smith

Jill Soltau & Keith Cullen

William Sopko Family

Jack & Terry Southworth

Chad & Molly Sperling

Holly & Larry Stephens

Michelle & Mike Stewart

Pam & Bill Summers

Raymond Sussel & Regina Olbinsky

Roma & Joe Sweeney

James & Charlene Szaller

David & Mary Ellen

Szamborski

Robert & Carol Taller

The Tapper Charitable Foundation

Rachel Tasler &

Samantha Grace

Rick & Sheri Terens**

Anna Wiest & Kevin Tesch

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph H.

Thomas

Tamara Tomasello-Skulina & Jim Skulina

Mrs. Lori Trehan

Curtis & Marisa Tuggle

Willem & Sherry

Van Der Wal

Dr. Virginia Vatev

Karen S. Verderber

Gina M. Vernaci & William D. Hilyard

Dennis & Jennifer Vidic

Robert & Jennifer Voelker

David & Charlotte Waddell

Bruce & Candy Wagner

Jon, Tanya, & Grace Wagner

Connie Weil

Richard & Tina Weinberg

Mr. & Mrs. Michael &

Danielle Weiner**

Lisa & Jeffrey Weiss

The Wesley Family Foundation

Eileen & Jim Wilkoff

James S. Wolf Family Trust

Theodora Wolf**

David & Karen Yankovitz

Janice M. Young

Dr. Dawn Zacharias

Roger & Renee Zona

Brian & Lori Zrimsek

Gold Founder

($3,500-$5,999)

Anonymous (18)

Karen Abbott

Myles & Karen Abbott

Beth & Rick Adams

Howard Adelman & Ira Greenberg

Wendy Adelman

Mark & Nancy Aeder

Terry Ahern Giving Fund

Frederic & Michelle

Ahlgren

Donald & Michelle Albainy

Peter & Susan Albert

Mindy & Gary Aleman

Abby & Victor Alexander

Karen Alexander

Jim, Kammie, & Rory Althans

F. Amato‡ & P.J. Nagoda

Ames Family Foundation

Nicola Ammons

Mr. & Mrs. Todd Amsdell

Daniel & Lisa Anderson

Karen Andrachik

Johnny Angel

Susan Anhold & Jon Anhold

Lawrence Anson

The Antonetti Family

Gerard & Marcie Artl

Christi & Dominic‡ Audino

Ross & Yasmeen Augustino

Jim & Trish Aussem

Phil Axelrod

Jeffrey Babbush & Jodi Mack

The Ruth & Elmer Babin Foundation

Cindy Babitt

Ed & Jen Backos

Damien & Lesleigh Baden

The Bagnoli Family

Chad & Tracie Bailey

Dr. Charles M. Bailin & Ms. Linda Myers

Mr. & Mrs. David & Kimberly Baioni

Wendy & Paul Balodis

Kelly & Doug Banks

Ms. Carol Barnak

Elaine Barnard

Brian & Kristin Barren

CLASS CHARISMATIC HONESTY INTEGRITY

Craig & Michele Bashein

Richard & Amy Bashein

Leslie Basista

Debbie Moss Batt

Tammy Battler**

Mr. & Mrs. Luke F. Baum

Renee & Eric Beaver

Dr. & Mrs. Mark Belisle

Barbara C. Belkin

Susan & John Benedejcic

The Benko & Boyd Family

Robert Andrew & Nancy

Dean Benko

John & Mary Beth

Bergenstein

Tom & Mary Berges

Grant & Melissa Berlin

Tom & Joy Berlin

Margo & Tom Bertin

Helen Beshara

Joseph Beutler

Dr. Alok & Cristine Bhaiji

Mr. Vimal & Dr. Kelly Bhatnagar

Biel-Goebel Family

Foundation

Alex & Evelyn Biggie

Warren Blazy, III

The Block Party

Marcia Blum & Dale Perram

Robert Boas

Art & Kim Boehm

Gregory & Nancy Boehm

Charles & Julia Bolton

Debbi Boncha

Dr. Elise Bonder & Dr. Bryan Bonder

Ronald Borsenik

Sheila & Ken Bossin

Laura & Dennis Bower

Katie & Mark Boylan

Monica Brennan & John McDonnell

Breznai Family

Nancy Bridgman

Mary S. & James R. Bright

Nicholas Brill*

Leslie S. Brown

Kristen Strang Bruna

Molly Brunner

Bryan & Laura Buck

Scott & Mona Buehler

Jay Burke

Kathy & Bob Bushok

Aaron & Callie Butcher

Alison & Marty Butler

Jocelyn & Brett Butler

Kim Caito & Danny

Freireich

Dr. Marie & Mr. Donald

Calabrese

Gust Callas

Dr. Bryant Cameron

Dr. & Mrs. J. Jeffery

Cameron

Joseph & Esther

Campanella

Marlene S. Campbell

Patricia Campbell

Charles P. & Linda Canepa

Albert & Tracy Capretta

Ken & Marsha Caratelli

Ms. Linda Cardellini

Denise Carkhuff &

Dane Wujnovich

Dr. John & Christine Carlozzi

Kay Carlson & Rick Albaugh

Karen & Fred Carmen

Mr. Michael P. Carney**

Greg & Lacy Carpenter

Nancy W. Carpenter

Patrick Carpenter*

Angela & David Carr

Brandon & Juliana Carrus

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Caserio

Mr.‡ & Mrs. Harry Cashy

William‡ & Elizabeth Cassella

Kent & Jennifer Castelluccio

Jim & Kathleen Catanese

J. Peter & Jacqueline Cerar

Lou & Dorie Cerny

Cindy & Louis Chaiten

Kathy & Dean Chimples

Ben Chouinard

Jeff & Lori Christian

Debra & Seth Chwast

Christine Cipa

Ron & Susan Clady

Timothy Clancy & Karen Manning

David & Jacqeuline Clark

Richard & Joanne Clark

Thomas & Karen Clark

Bill & Jennifer Clawson

Robert & Laura Clemente

The Cline Foundation

Bob & Krissy Clutterbuck

Tricia & Matt Code

Jacqueline & Timothy Cogan

Michael & Jennifer Cogan

Barry & Cheryl Cohn

Bruce & Elizabeth Cohn

Dr. Monique Cohn & Kevin Adelstein

David & Jamie Cole

Jay Cole

Dr. Thomas & Katherine Collins

Mary Anne Comotto

Martha Comunale

Kenneth, Karen & Zoe

Conley

Dennis & Paula Conrad

Mr. & Mrs. Frank & Mary Consolo

Marianne Conway

Mark & Holly Conzelmann

Brian & Maggie Cook

Mike & Jessie Corcoran

Joseph & Susan Corsaro

Peter & Elizabeth Corso

The Cost Family

Phil & Sue Coverdale

Patrick Covey

Charles Cowap &

Rachel Rawson

Mathew & Megan Cox**

Colleen & Kevin Coyne

Melissa Coyner & Tariq Naeem

Steve & Lisa Craig

Kim & Ryan Crane

John & Sandy Crocker

Edward, Carmela & Rosanne Cromling

Crosher Family

Alex Cruz

James & Claudia Cull

David & Jennifer Cupar

Michael & Joanie Cuva

Dominic & Polly D’Amore

Michael & JoAnne Darr

Howard & Dana Darvin

Matt & Jen Davis

Tina & Josh Davis

Andrew & Erin Deak

Dennis & Lexi DeBaltzo

Daryl & Jenniffer Deckard

Mary Kay DeGrandis & Edward Donnelly

Cindy Deliz

Anthony DeRoss & Meagan Costedio

Richard & Lorrie Devaney

Jeffery & Nancy DeWerth

Irvin Dewey III

Bill & Eileen DeWood

Ronald DiPadova

John & Ann DiRocco

Martin Dittman & Dr. Gabrielle Koczab

Barbara & George Diver

Nancy Dobras &

Jennifer Shaw

J.R. & Ashley Doolos

Adam Doxsey & Rob Nelson

Emily Drake

Howard & Eileen‡ Drechsler

Phil & Lisa Dregalla

Nancy & Scott Drehs

Dennis & Sandy Drellishak

The Druley Family

Ron & Sharon Dufek

Patrick & Robin Dull

Heather Dunbar &

Ben and Cathy Baker

Elizabeth Dunn

Faith Durden, M.D.

Dr. & Mrs. Mohan J. Durve

Mark & Suzanne Dvoroznak

The Ecker Family

Dr. Diane Eden & Dr. Shari Ridge

Joshua Edgell

Sam Edmunds &

Jacqueline Hunter

Mrs. Linda Edwards

Greg & Kelly Eippert

Tim Eippert

Wendy & Gene Elconin

Jane & Thomas‡ Elias

Robert & Jean Elliott

Judy Emert

Renee Emrhein

Jeff & Lori Epstein

Lynne Erbaugh

Lucinda Evans

Art & Maryann Falco

Diane & Warren Farr**

Rob & Mia Faxon

Robert & Noelle Fazio

Sheri & Terry Fedor

The Feicks Family

Deborah Feller

Bill Fenoglio & Erika Battaglia

Dr. & Mrs. Paul M. Ferraro

Charles & Shelley Ferrell

Ted & Carol Figura

Drs. Joseph A. Finocchio & Susan M. Ray

Dennis & Carol Fiorelli

Bill & Nikki Fisher

Dennis & Marcy Fisher

Ronald & LuAnn Fisher

Vinnie & Debbi Fisher

Jan & John Fitts

Flauto Family Foundation

John & Carolyn Fleischer

The Fowler Family

Susan & Mitchell Frankel

John & Laura Frazier

David & Jeannie Fredecker

Barry & Lisa Fredrickson

Richard & Lynda Freedman**

Mark Fremont & Donna Krasney

Matthew & Wendy French

Richard & Beth Friedler

Harry & Shelly Friedman

Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey I.

Friedman

Mr. & Mrs. Matthew

Friedman

Roslyn & Ted Friedman

Dr. Rochelle Friedrich

Greg & Eryn Fuhrer

Mr. & Mrs. David W. Furry

Susan Fury

Dennis & Kris Fyffe

Mrs. Linda Gabor

Jay & Kim Gaebelein**

Mary Galindo

Edward & Maria Gallagher

In Memory of Mardee

Gallagher

Richard & Robbin Garcia

Matthew Garson & Case Bochenek

Michael & Kimber Gebura

Dr. Joel & Phyllis Gecht

Ann & Jay Geib

Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Geldart

Mr. Dan Geller &

Dr. Samantha Baskind

Mr. David Geller

Dr. Robert & Carla Gerber

Michael & Andrea Gerfin

Kris & James Gerish

Pam Gerwig

Steve & Nancy Gfell

Garry & Barb Gibbs

Lee & Larysa Gibson

Deborah & Jerry Gideon

Thomas Gilbride & Sal Martello

Margaret Giltinan

Arnie & Maria Glantz

Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Glauberman

Brooke Glessing

Ted & Nancy Goble

Michele Golob

Mr. Lawrence Goodman

Randall Goodman &

Beth Wilson

Lynn Gorman

Jim & Karen Gornik

Paul & Amy Goske

David & Melissa Gottlieb

Joshua & Randi Gottlieb

Michael D. Gower

Kristen & Brian Grady

David & Susan Grant

Roe Green

Dr. Michael & Barbara

Greenberg

Dr. Brian & Aimee

Greenfield

Allen E. Griffin

Douglas & Gwenn Grimm

Dave & Melissa Grinnell

Jonathan‡ & Marianne Gross

Ware Grove

Brent & Candace Grover

Dave & Nicole Groves

Robert Haber, MD & Mary Ellen Brook**

Lloyd & Ann-Marie Hagenbuch

Tamara Hagerty

Craig & Noel Hairston

Dr. C.C. Halloran

The Hankins Foundation

Dr. Elizabeth Hankins

Patricia Hanousek

Kathie & Chuck Hardin

Sondra & Steve Hardis

Jack Harley & Judy Ernest

Mary & Gordon Harnett

Mr. Randall Harris & Dr. Marianne Coburn

Jackie Hartfiel

Corrine & Jeff Hartman**

Terri & Doug Havekost

Dr. & Mrs. George Heathcote

Bradley & Vanessa Heim

Debra Hench

Cheryl Henderson & Lucas Nelson

Damian & Laura Henri

Ike & Rachel Herman

Robert Herold

Judy & William Hershey

Ruth Herzak & Gary Bauman

Karol & Glenn Higaki

David & Melissa Hille

Henry J. Hilow & Judy Ghazoul Hilow

Kevin & LuAnn Hinkel

Robert & Joan Hinkle

Charles & Michelle Hirsch

George & Elaine Hlavacs

In Memory of Kathleen Hlavin

Robert & Lisa Hodges

Pat & Jack Holland

Richard & Sally‡ Hollington

Mr. & Mrs. Tim Hollo

Tracy A. Hollowood

Diane & Michael Holztrager

Drs. Rosamond Hong & Jeffrey Weil

Daniel & Tamara Honkala

Christy & Dave Hooper

Marsha & Tom Hopkins

The Matthew R. & Marie M. Hopkins Foundation

Dr. Michael & Mrs. Mary K.

Hopkins

Rachel & Chris Hopkins-Murphy

Andrew & Kristin Horansky

Alla & Randy Horvat

Robert & Linda House

Matt & Karen Houser

Ruth & Stephen Hovan

Jim‡ & Claudia Hower

Karen & Geoff Howson

Tim & Julie Hrobat

Annie & Rick Hubbard

John A. Hudec, DDS

William & Paulette Hughes

Barry & Brenda Hummel

Michael & Ann W. Hurley

Ned Hyland &

Jacqui Herringshaw

Andy Ilcin & Betsy Bloch

Doug & Megan Isenberg

Robert & Brenda Jackson

Suzanne & Patrick Janson

Michael & Rosemarie Jaworski

Christine & Tracy Jemison

Matt Joherl &

Jason Andrew Smith

Rick & Lori Johnson

Barry & Carolyn Johnston

Jane Joseph &

Robert Elson

John & Barbara Joseph

Jose & Lauren Juarez

John & Jill Judge

Burton & Elizabeth Judson

Jason Jurek

Marien Kaifesh

In Memory of Faye Kaplan

Ira & Amy Kaplan

Kater Foundation

Charitable Trust

Karen & Larry Katz

Judy & David Kaufman

Kaulig Foundation

Kelly Kavanaugh

Natalie Kayani

The Kayani Family

Ms. Carole Keating

Catherine Keating & Charles King

Drs. Sumita & Anurag W. Kedia

John & Vincetta Kedzior

Pam & Steve Keefe

Rick & Jo Keller

Mike & Karen Kelly

Michael Kelly &

Wendy Olson

Betty Kemper

David & Meredith Kempton

The Kennedy Family

Bill & Becky Kent

Linda & Bob Kenyon

Sandra Kerber & Richard Norman

Michael & Paula Kertes

Randy & Rhonda Kertesz

Dr. Ashoo Khanuja

Robin & Randy Kilbride

Richard Killion

David & Dolores Kimberly

Katie Kimble*

Andrew & Jacqueline

Kinnen

Bill & Kathy Kinner

Mr. & Mrs. Rich Kirkpatrick

Beth & Steve Kish

Gayle Kish

Jonathan & Adena

Klineman

Debra & Kerry Klotzman

Don & Ingrid Knechtges

Allison & David R. Knowles

William Knox &

Richard England

Sandy Kobernik-Ludwig‡

Mr. & Mrs. Robert J.

Kobistek

William & Kathleen

Kobyljanec

Thomas & Wendy Kocovsky

Nancy & Rik‡ Kohn

Tom & Sonja Kolaric

Lisa Konchar & Deanna Powell

Donna L. Korn

John & Susan Kosir

Harvey & Norma Kotler

Vincent E. Kovacic & F.

Christopher Esmurdoc

Joe & Jacki Kraft

Len & Debra Krause

Gary & Laura Krusinski

The Kuhn Family Foundation

Jeanne & Duane Kurapka

Dr. Jerry & Karen

Lamendola

The Landskroner Family

Jim & Paula Lang

Teresa Larsen & Kamal-Neil Dass

Kenneth & Luanne

Lashutka

Daniel & Meghan Latham

The Laub Foundation

Judge‡ & Mrs. Robert M. Lawther

India Lee

James & Kathryn Lee

Dr. & Mrs. Scott Leffler

Gary & Marla Leidich

Debra Leizman & Keith Kerman

Robbie & Alexis LeJeune

Cheryl Lekan

Matthew Lemke

Anne Lengauer

Fred A. Lennon Charitable

Trust

Melissa Leonard

Alan & Barbara Lepene

Courtney & Scott Lepene

Nancy Levy &

Gerald Yosowitz

Carter & Carole Lewis

Dennis & Amy Lewis

John & Cassandra Lewis

and Family

Mike & Jan Lewis

Mary Ellen & Kenneth Liang

Keith & Nancy Libman

Brian Linick

Amanda List

Jim & Sally Little

Gary & Theresa Ljubi

Norman & Jacqueline Lobins

Cindy & Joseph Locala

Dr. Aram & Dr. Julie Loeb

Bill Lohn

Matthew A. Long & Lynette P. Mattson

Kelly & David Longhorn

Charles & Denise Loper

Don & Ginny LoPresti

George & Sandra Loucas

Jeffrey & Kristen Lucas

Tim & Jeanette Luli

Rose Luse & Chris Butcher

Bob & Michele Lux

Chuck & Paula Lynn

Jon & Elle Macknin

Dr. Selena Magalotti & Mr. Jaime Lamphear

The Magner Family

John & Angela Mago

Charles & Rita Maimbourg

Sis Malley

Donald & Jennine Malone

Eileen Maloney & Colleen Calvey

Sean & Vy Mancini

Kenneth & Alice Mantey

Shari Maouri

Richard & Noreen Marlowe

Ryan & Terri Marrie

Ron & Betty Martin

Amy & Wade Massad

John & Meg Matejkovic

Lisa & Josh Mayers

Mark & Barbara Mazzone

Owen & Nancy McBride

Eric McCallister

Greg & Karen McCarthy

Mr. & Mrs. C. Andrew

McCartney

Bill & Jennifer McClintock

Kevin & Nancy McComas

Mary Cay & Mike

McConnell

Robert McCormick &

Richard Lindsley

Christopher & Gaylee McCracken

John & Marilyn McCue

Dave & Cecilia McDermott

Ann & Jim McFarland

Joan McFaul &

Andrea Clary

H. Rick McGinnis III

Staicey McGinnis

Alexander & Lori Mcilvaine

McKenna Family Fund

Beth McLeod

Eric & Amber McLoney**

John & Nancy McMillan

Rob & Janet McMinn

Darrell & Ronna McNair

Mr. & Mrs. Michael McPhillips

MC Mead

Susie & Mark Mead

Tom & Ruth Meadows

Melissa & Ryan Meany

Jim Mehallis

Dawna Meng

David Miceli & Elizabeth Hiser

Kelly Micire

Scott Miele & Kathleen Eaton

Elizabeth K. & Ryan Mifsud

Mark & Kathy Mihok

Beth M. Mikes

Drs. Jill & Josh Miller

Marjorie & Samuel M.

Miller

Michael & Jayne Miller

Ms. Judy Miniaci

Thomas & Loretta Minnich

Keith & Candy Mirman

Don & Cindy Misheff

Theresa Mistysyn

Mr. Robert Mitchell & Dr. Jane Timmons-Mitchell

Joan & Charles Mockbee

Phil & Nora Modie

Paul & Sallie Moledor

Dr. Robert & Shauna Molloy

Edward & Patty

Montgomery

James & Donna

Montgomery

Halle Moore & Fred Wentz

Roy & Cindy Moore

Mark & Carmela Morek

Michael & Michelle Morgan

Melodie Morgan-Minott & Howard Minott

Harriet & Mel Morris

Peter & Kristin Morrison**

John & Karen Moss

Ken & Sharon Mountcastle

Marjorie & Bert Moyar

Brittany & Bryan Mravec

Steve & Jennifer Mueller

Jim & Tina Mullane

The Mullins Family

Alison Stevens Murphy

Pat & Kendra Murphy

Patrick & Kristy Murphy

Florence Murray

Bob & Judy Mustee

Robert & Ilene Neides

Desiree & Lou Nekola

Rebecca Nelson & Family**

Carol Nelson-Rollins

Dr. Carolyn Nemec

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen T. Newcomer, Sr.

Newey Family

Marjorie & Arthur Newman

Steve & Rosemary Niewolak

Russell & Tricia Niswander

Matt & JoAnn Novak

Kimberly Novobilsky & Kaleena & Ryan

Troy Nowak

Gregory & Martha Oakes

Julie & Dan O’Boyle

Billy & Linda O’Brien & Family

Mr. John F. O’Brien, Sr.

Marcy & Ed O’Connell

Jim & Jolie O’Connor

Michael & Susan O’Connor

The O’Donnell Family

Thomas & Lynn O’Donnell

Dr. & Mrs. James Oh

Jim Violette & Becky Olson

Cheryl Hagan O’Malley &

Jerilyn Hagan

Paul & Liz O’Neil

Debbie Orr

Jennifer Oxley

Dr. Sheldon Padgett

Lou & Marilyn Paine

Joe & Dianna Palmeri

Matthew Palnik & Jennifer Esposito

Nicholas & Frances Panagopoulos

Christopher Panek & Eric Langston

Jim & Christine Papa

Trac Papish

Tom Pappalardo & Mary Nagy

Rupa & Sanjay Parikh

Rachel Parks & Jeff Wahba

Neil Parsons

Janine Jannetto Patterson

Mary Grace Pattison

Christie & Jerry Payto

Kenneth & Dee Dee Pearce

Craig & Marlo Peck

Thomas & Yvonne Pecka

Robert & Robin Pelles

Michelle Perdue

Dan & Ellie Perella

Mark C. Perna**

Fran & Frank Perry

Mary Beth & Robert Peshek

Cloyd & Susan Peters

Jason Petroff, Michael Rigol, Jr. & Reese Holle

Robert Pfefferl

Mark Phillipp &

Lindsay Mora

Robert S. Phillips

David & Sharlene Pierce

Marianne Piterans

Nelson & Heidi Pitlor

Thomas Pitts &

Carol Rilley

Mark Plush & Venera Foti

Raisa K. Polacek & Tommy Rich

Andrea Pollock

Dr. Lee Ponsky & Mrs. Monica Ponsky

Drs. Todd & Diana Ponsky

Clark & Sarah Pope**

Dennis & Kathy Popelka

Greg & Gailyn Popovich

Eric Porter

Leslie & Neal Postel

Terri & Chuck Postel

The Potter Family

Anne M. Powell

Mr. & Mrs. Martin J. Powers

Prendes Family

Jackie Pressman

Ronald & Christina Price

Linda & Richard Profant

The Prosinski Family

Paul & Nancy Prysiazny

Joe & Pam Pulizzi

Dan & Laurie Pustinger

Kimberly J. Pustulka

Christopher J. & Tricia L. Pycraft

Mark Raab

Lisa Radigan & Christian Coughlan

Norm & Michelle Rados

Steve & Diana Ragan

Ronelle & Nick Rajkovich

Allison Rand

Adriana & Andrew E. Randall

Mr. Randazzo

Thomas J. Rankin

Deborah Rathbun

Charles & Ilana Horowitz Ratner

Dr. Kate Raymond & Michelle Krocker

Andrew & Karen Rebholz

Catherine Reed

Debra & Kenneth Reeves

Mary Reid & Raymond Rundelli

Dr. Andrew & Beth Reimer

Robert S. & Sylvia K. Reitman Family

Foundation

Dr. & Mrs. Rench

Jane Rice & Mark Chambers

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Rice

Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Rich

Sharron Richards

In honor of Edward & Betty Richley

Dr. Bradford & Margaret

Richmond

Tom & Kerri Richmond

Liza Rieke & Family

Louis & Gwen Rifici

The Rimko Family

Rob & Tricia Risman

Dr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Roberts

Ed Rocheck

Susan & Daniel Rockey

Chris & Magen Roeder

Cameron & Melissa Rollheiser

Dr. Ellen Rome & Fred Asbeck

Dr. Mark & Mrs. Debbie Rorick

Heather Roselli

Lynn‡ & Fred Rosenberg

Barb & Jeff Rosengard

Angela & Greg Rosko

Jay & Laverne Ross

Mr. Alan & Mrs. Barbara D. Rosskamm

Dr. Ashley & Mr. Vincent Rufo

Abigail Ruhlman

Paul & Lori Rupert**

Cindy & Todd Russell

Michael Russell

Carol & Kevin Ryan

Richard & Gail Rye

Todd & Ady Sabath

Mike & Nikki Sablack

Ken & Kim Sable

Dr. Jeffrey & Debra Sanderson

Andrew & Anita Sandor

Mr. & Mrs. John & Mary Sarrouh

Jim & Nancy Schade

Chip & Kellie Schaffner

Judy & Chris Scherry

Bob & Ellie Scheuer

Mark & Monica Schie

Kyla & Mitchell Schneider

Stephanie & Michael Schneider

Cheryl Schofield

Rudy & Susan School

William & Nancy Schrader

Sue & Jerry‡ Schroer

Barbara Schubert

Doris & Richard Schultz

Janet & Gary Schuster

Jan & Dave Schwieterman

Jeff & Heather Scott

Kat & Bob Scott

Spence & Sue Seaman

Dean & Diane Secrest

Paul Secunde

Tiffany Sedlacek**

Patricia Seifert &

Kathleen Eiermann

Robin Sue Seiger

Sanford Seiger

Walter & Erin Senney

Darcy J. Sentowsky

Deborah Sesek

Mike & Andrea Sharb

Drs. Patricia A. Sharpnack & Rachael H. Toth

Mr. & Mrs. Martin Shaw

Timothy & Elizabeth

Sheeler

Bill & Maggie Shepardson

Laura & Ben Sheridan

Debra Shifrin &

Steven Newman

Alan & Debbie Shubert

Harvey A. Siegel

Terry & Sandy Silver

Harlan & Betty Silversten

John & Lori Silvis

Michael & Gayle Simon

Taylor Singleton &

Jill Forest

Robert Sisler

Dr. & Mrs. Gary Sivak

Joseph Skubiak

Shelly & Joe Sladek

Randy & Sara Slama

Greg & Jessica Slatkovsky

Steve & Leslie Smetana and Family

Chad & Carian Smith

Dr. Dalithia Smith

Mr. & Mrs. David B. Smith

Devon & Scott Smith

Donna Rae & Edward Smith

Kent A. Smith

Laura & Grady Smith

Nancie Smith

Janey & Tony Snyder

Ms. Allison Sobel

Julie & David Soble

Mike & Katherine Solecki

Carol & Phillip Soos

Michael & Ellen Sostarich

Gary & Amber Soukenik

Andrew & Mary South

Mr. & Mrs. Mark Spadaro

Dr. Dina Sparano &

Dr. Jason Savage

Kevin Spear & Family

Nathan & Cecilia

Speelman

Terry Speth

Shani & Scott Spiegle

David & Sharon Spotts

St. Julian Family

Sean & Laurel Stack

Joy & David Stang

Lou & Ann Stark

Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Starr

Duncan Stearns & Family

William & Pam Steel

Ken Stefanov & Kathleen Roberts

Arthur & Sherri Stehlik

Jason Sterling

Pat & Annette Stevenson

Bob & Robyn Stewart

James Stief

Stephanie Still

Kevin & Katie Stoltman

Mr. & Mrs. Steven & Monika Strah

Mrs. Karen Strang‡

Mr. Marc I. Strauss

Dr. Trish Strazar & Mr. Joe Gendron

Diana & Steve Strongosky

Rich & Lynnette Stuart

Fred & Betsy Stueber

Brian & Adrean Stulak

Jessica Sudo

Catherine Suever & David Martin

Julie Sullivan

Sussen Foundation, Inc.

Dr. Ian & Mrs. Kara Suzelis

Michael & Patricia

Sweeney

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Swingos

Joan & Roger Synenberg

Richard & Mary K.

Szafarski

Susan Szanyi

Mike & Rosemary Taft-Milby

Joe & Val Tate

Ms. Marlene Tehi

Jeff Tennant

Scott, Megan & Vivian Tettau

James E. Teubner

Ms. Priscilla Thayer

Gary & Stacey Theus

Kevin & Cathy Thomas

Laura & Jeff Thomas

Susan L. Thomas

Mike & Linda Thorson

Gary & Karen Tiboni

Victoria & Quinten Tifft

Mark & Nancy Tinsley

Cynthia Renée Toman

The Tomechko & van der Oord Families

Krystal Tomei

Manfred & Lisa Tomm

John & Dorothy Tomsic

Richard & Joan Tonelli

Lisa M Torres MD

Richard F. Tracanna

Jean & Jim Triner

Mark & Diane Trubiano

Ron & Pat Trzcinski

Alex Tucker

Ron J. Turk

Albert J. & Diane L. Tusek, Jr.

Nicole & Rodney Twells

Gerald F. Unger

James Unger

Moira & Dr. Wulf Utian

Bobbi & Peter‡ van Dijk

The Vana Family Foundation

Patricia Vanah & James Nestel**

Don & Ruth Ann Vanke

Stacy & Anderson Varejao

Ronald & Rebecca Vaughn

Catherine Veres

Jennifer J. Vieland

Tom & Lynn Vilt

Mr. & Mrs. David Vito

Kate Vlasek**

Herb & Catalina Wagers

Theodore & Kristin Wagner

Steve Wake & Linda Bluso

Eric & Joyce Wald

Robert & Shelly Wallens

Margaret M. Walsh

Tom Waltermire

Rob & Joy Ward

Sean Ward & Dr. Nancy Istenes

Anthony Warmuth

Van & Cassie Washburn

Allison, Chris, & Hayden Weathers

Joshua Weaver

Melanie Webber

Scott & Loree Weber

John & Kristi Webster

Leigh & Caryn Weinberg

Russell Weisenbacher

Larry & Lisa Weiser

Mark & Stephanie Weiskind

Margaret G. Weitzel

Tim & Lindsey Weller

Dorinna & Arnie Wetherill

Dickson & Ann Whitney

Mr. & Mrs. James O. Wible

Arlene & Douglas Wieder

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas H. Wieder

Rhonda Wien

James & Monica Wilcosky

Judy & Steven Willensky

Eddie Williams & Jane Wearstler

Harold L. and Patricia D.

Williams Charitable Fund

Robert & Bridget Williams

Beverly Willis

Nathan & Valerie Willson

Linda Wilmot

Kurt N. & Diana Winter

Rose Wong & Bernard Lee

In Honor of Barbara Wood

Roberta & Paul Woodard

John & Jacqueline Woods

Bradley & Alisa Wright

Todd & Sue Wright

Tim & Sandy Wuliger

Xavier-Nichols Foundation

Tom & Mary Yablonsky

Katie & Joe Yonadi

David F. Young

Frances Young

Lynn & Carl Young

Norman Young

Patti Young

Drs. Michael Zabell & Minda Rudnick

Peter & Pamela Zaccari

Jennie Zamberlan

Alan & Rosemary Zang

Drs. Salena & Daniel Zanotti

Debbie & Joseph Zarconi

Andrea & Jimmy Zeilinger

Dr. William Zelei & Dr. Rosemary Gornik

Maureen Zeller

Daniel & Ellen Zelman

Stephanie ZelmanThanasiu

David & Nancy Zenker

Hala & Khaled Ziada

Carolyn Zimmerman

Nancy & Rob Zimmerman

John & Maureen Zraik

‡ Deceased

* Playhouse Square Partners

**Playhouse Square Partners Alumni

Corporations

President

($50,000 and higher)

PNC Foundation

Roetzel & Andress, LPA

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Director

($25,000-$49,999)

DLR Group

LECOM

Producer

($15,000-$24,999)

The Brewer-Garrett Company

Cleveland Construction, Inc.

ECHO Health Inc.

Nordson Corporation

RPM International Inc.

Platinum Founder

($10,000-$14,999)

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square

Eaton Corporation

Giant Eagle Foundation

Huntington National Bank

Hyster-Yale Materials

Handling, Inc.

Medical Mutual

Ohio CAT

RSM US LLP

TRUENORTH

The Walt Disney Company

Westside Toyota & Honda of Middleburg Heights

Sustaining Founder

($6,000-$9,999)

Advantage Consulting

Agrana Fruit US

AMS Title Agency Inc.

Applied Industrial Technologies

BakerHostetler

Chemical Solvents, Inc.

D.J. Wurdack Inc. Executive

Search & Consulting

Demming Financial Services Corp.

Dix & Eaton, Inc.

Elite Ceramics and Metals, Inc.

Event Source

Famous Enterprises

ForTec Medical Inc.

General Transport, Inc.

Hinkley

Jones Day

KeyBank

Mar-Bal Inc.

Mid America Management Corp.

Millcraft

MUM Industries, Inc.

WHERE CONFIDENCE

National Concession Company, Inc.

Nexus Engineering Group, LLC

PwC

Request A Test

Schneider Saddlery Co., Inc.

The Shamrock Companies, Inc.

Superior Beverage Group

Turner Construction Company

Wagner Electric Sign Company

Walter | Haverfield LLP

Gold Founder

($3,500-$5,999)

Action Based Research, LLC

Astro Mfg. & Design

Atlantic Tool & Die Co.

Audimute Sound Management Solutions

Auto Tool World

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Cantrall Properties LLC

CBIZ, Inc.

Cleveland Crane & Shovel

Sales, Inc.

Cleveland Vicon Company Inc.

Comfort Control Systems

Corporate Dining Inc.

Mindy Covington-Team

Mindy State Farm

Dempsey Auctions, LLC

DR Computer Consulting, LLC

Eckinger Construction Co.

Elizabeth Park Capital Management

Enbridge Gas Ohio

EOX Vantage

Evergreen National Indemnity Co.

Eversong Music

Excalibur Auto Body

Galt Enterprises, Inc.

Geis Companies

Glenmede Trust Company

Greater Cleveland

Partnership

The Hermit Club

Hodel Holdings LLC

Home Brew Ohio

Iler Networking & Computing

The Kaplan Trucking Company

Kelly Insurance Group

Klemenc Construction Co., Inc.

KPMG LLP

La Bodega in Tremont

Lake Erie Graphics Inc.

The Levin Group, Inc.

The Lincoln Electric Foundation

Lisa Vegas Productions

LMZ Restaurant Group Inc.

Logan Clutch Corporation

LorMet Community Credit Union

Mark Smith Electric, Inc.

MarkerNet, Inc.

Marous Brothers Construction

McCaulley&Company

Gregory T. McCune, DDS, Inc.

The Mellino Law Firm, LLC

Mutsko Insurance Services

NEO Business Advisors

Northern Trust

NRP Group

Old World Custom Homes

Olympic Steel, Inc.

Perantinides & Nolan, Co.

L.P.A.

Plante Moran, PLLC

Premier Development Partners

Return On Life Wealth Partners

Right Team, Inc.

Rivchun Jewelers

Safe Pass Driving School

Shaia’s Parking Inc.

The Sherwin-Williams Company

Shook Construction Co.

Ray & Melissa SminchakMentor Nissan

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP

Standard Contracting & Engineering

TKM Print Solutions

John S. TrecasoBella Décor Akron

Van Cleef Asset Management

Vincent Lighting Systems

Waldheger Coyne, A Legal Professional Association

Westfield Insurance

Endowment & Planned Giving

Anonymous (4)

Terry & Sheldon Adelman

Joanie & Tom Adler

Bruce & Judie Amsel

John & Diane Andrica

Chad & Tracie Bailey

Charles M. Bailin, M.D.

Fred G. & Mary W. Behm

Marcia Blum and Dale Perram

Debbi Boncha

Amy & Stan‡ Brady

Gary Burlin

Anna Bussian

Ed & Judi Campobenedetto

Robert & Lorraine Campobenedetto

Paul & Sherry Carleton

Harry & Marjorie‡ Carlson

Patricia & John Chapman

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Charnas

Christopher & Sara Connor

Marilyn J. Cotman‡

Dr. Robert H. & Patricia A. Crabtree

Dr. John R. and Mr. Frank

Crawford-Spinelli

Audrey P. DeClement

Mr. & Mrs. Edward‡ H. deConingh, Jr.

Mary Kay DeGrandis & Edward Donnelly

Anthony DiBacco

Craig & Lynn Donnan

Susan‡ & Robert Droman

Henry F. Eaton‡

Esther L. & Alfred M. Eich‡

Mr. & Mrs. Oliver F.

Emerson‡

Jeanette Eustache

Art & Maryann Falco

Irving B. & Gloria G. Fine‡

Eleanor J. Fitzgerald‡

Emily A. Fleisher

Edward L. Franke‡

Richard & Lynda Freedman

Chris Anna Fullerton

Barbara & Peter‡ Galvin

Patricia A. Gaul

joan gelb

David S. Goodman & Barbara Hawley

David & Robin Gunning

Mr. & Mrs. Peter Guren

Virginia Harrison Hamann‡

Raymond G. Hamlin, Jr.

Ms. Kathleen E. Hancock

Marsha Ann Harrison

Mary Jane Hartwell‡

Lawrence & Linda Hatch

Mr. Forrest D. Hayes‡

Sally & Oliver‡ Henkel

Valerie Hughes

Barry & Brenda Hummel

Mrs. Jonathan E. Ingersoll‡

Bruce & Donna Jackson

Mr. Gary and Dr. Maita Jarkewicz

Margaret Judd

Jean & Walter Kalberer‡

Deborah Kavulich

Gilbert P. & Gail A. Kenehan

Jane Kirkham‡

Vivian Kist

Timothy & Judith Koeth

Susan L. Kohn‡

The Koppelman-GoldsteinRobbins Family

Barbara Ellen Kozel

Mina N. Kulber‡

Robert and Joanne Lane‡

Mr. & Mrs. Tom H. Lang

William B. & Mary

Margaret Lawrence

Maxine Goodman Levin‡

Cathy & John‡ Lewis

Joyce & Bill Litzler

Richard and Shirley Lutts

Mr. Julien L. McCall‡

James McKee

The Estate of David & Carole Mendelsohn

Kay Morabito

Wayne & Terri Mosley

Ken and Sharon Mountcastle

Deborah L. Neale

Mr. James A. Nelson

Mari Newell

Steve Norris & Emily Gonzales

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest J. Novak, Jr.

Steele Nowlin & Christine Jayjack

Mark & Paula Nylander

Kevin J. O’Brien

Michael Olah & Kelly Masarik

Jane & Jon Outcalt

Jim & Kathy Pender

Florence K.Z. Pollack

Clark N. Pope & Sarah M. Planchon Pope

Nanci & Ron Pottorff‡

Victor & Linda Prosak

Chris & Emily Rees

Nancy‡ & Jeff Reinhart

Don & Joanne‡ Reiss

Albert Rettig‡

Linda Franklin Rhodes

Amy & Ken Rogat

Bob & Pat Roller

Walt & Carol Rosebrough

Mark D. Ross

William & Diann Rucki

Paul & Lori Rupert

Luci Schey

Bob & Betty Schmiermund

Rick & Cheryl Schmitz

William & Nancy Seelbach

The Estate of Jo Hershey

Seldon‡

Alan & Debbie Shubert

Betty W. Sinclair‡

Karen Skinder

Mr. Scott Soeder

Mr. & Mrs. Stephen‡ H.

Spaeth

Douglas & Stephenie

Spiker

Lois & Thomas Stauffer‡

Michelle & Mike Stewart

Arthur J. & Nancy L. Stokes

K.K. & Joe Sullivan

Robert J. Swadey‡

Gary & Nancy Temple

Cynthia Renée Toman

Kurt & Christine‡ Treu

Gina M. Vernaci & William D. Hilyard

Leila & Tony Vespoli

Maryanne & Tom Wagner

Dan & Molly Walsh

Neil Weinberger

Frederick E. & Ruthanne‡

Weinmann

Denise G. & Norman E.

Wells, Jr.

Jeff & Danielle Wild

Bill Winans

‡ Deceased

Other Support

Avient Corporation

Benesch Friedlander

Coplan & Aronoff

Calfee Halter & Griswold LLP

Cohen & Company

CRESCO Real Estate

Deloitte & Touche LLP

The Dependable Painting Co.

Eaton Corporation

Dawn & John Holdeman

ECHO Health Inc.

Higley Construction

Huntington National Bank

iHeartMedia

Jones Day

KeyBank Foundation

Daniel Lemons

MAI Capital Management, LLC

Neighborhood Drummer

Oswald Companies

Parker Hannifin

Corporation

PNC Foundation

RSM US LLP

Swagelok Company

Thompson Hine LLP

WJW FOX 8

Marketing Partnerships

as of 3/12/26

Title Marketing Partnerships

KeyBank – Broadway Series

Akron Children’s –Children’s Theater Series

Official Marketing Partnerships

ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages

Akron Children’s

Apex Skin Dermatology

Casamigos Tequila

Centro

GE Lighting, A Savant Company

Hofbräuhaus Cleveland

INFINITI of Akron

INFINITI of Beachwood

KeyBank

Lake Business Products

Lyft

Medical Mutual

Mont Surfaces by Mont Granite, Inc.

Think Media Studios

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

United Airlines

West Roofing Systems, Inc.

Where Skin Health Comes Full Circle

We take a 360 approach to skin health. We care for every patient, every condition, and every stage of life.

Ready to tackle those fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture? As the Official Dermatology and Aesthetic Provider of Playhouse Square® , Apex Skin is excited to gift one complimentary laser treatment per show to a lucky guest. Enter to Win *Laser Treatment Value: $400

Disney Theatrical Group under the direction of Andrew Flatt Anne Quart presents Managing Director Executive Producer

Music & Lyrics by ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE

Additional Music & Lyrics by LEBO M, MARK MANCINA, JAY RIFKIN, JULIE TAYMOR, HANS ZIMMER

Book by ROGER ALLERS & IRENE MECCHI

Starring PETER HARGRAVE DAVID D’LANCY WILSON ZAMA MAGUDULELA NICK CORDILEONE NICK LAMEDICA DANNY GRUMICH GILBERT DOMALLY THEMBELIHLE CELE FOREST VANDYKE MARTINA SYKES ROBB SAPP AARON CHAO JOURNEY COMPAS MARLEY GOMES JOSIAH WATSON

KAYLA ROSE AIMABLE ELLEN AKASHI WILLIAM JOHN AUSTIN AJA SIMONE BAITEY LAMAR BAYLOR ERIC BEAN, JR.

VERNON BROOKS III SHAQUELLE CHARLES REOAGILE CHOABI DANIELA COBB LYRIC DANAE MAURICE DAWKINS CEDRICK EKRA CAMRYN HAMPTON DREW HIRSHFIELD QUIANA ONRAE’L HOLMES VALÉRIANE LOUISY LOUIS JOSEPH

JOEL KARIE JANE KING GABISILE MANANA KEYVEONTAE’ MARTIN MORGAN REED McDANIEL JUSTIN MENSAH AARON NELSON NTETHELELO NHLAPHO YUKA NOTSUKA SICELO NTSHANGASE SAYIGA EUGENE PEABODY YAEL PINEDA-HALL JORDAN SAMUELS POSELETSO SEJOSINGOE AVILON TRUST TATE JENNIFER THERIOT BRENA K. THOMAS COURTNEY THOMAS BEN TOOMER DENZEL TSOPNANG SHACURA WADE THOM CHRISTOPHER WARREN JORDAN NICOLE WILLIS

Adapted from the screenplay by IRENE MECCHI & JONATHAN ROBERTS & LINDA WOOLVERTON

Originally Produced by PETER SCHNEIDER & THOMAS SCHUMACHER

Scenic Design

RICHARD HUDSON

Costume Design JULIE TAYMOR

Sound Design

Lighting Design DONALD HOLDER

STEVE CANYON KENNEDY

Music Supervisors DAVID KREPPEL & SEAN MAYES

General Manager MICHAEL BOLGAR

Music Director

KARL SHYMANOVITZ

Music Produced for the Stage & Additional Score by MARK MANCINA

Associate Director ANTHONY LYN

Technical Director NOAH KERN

Mask & Puppet Design JULIE TAYMOR & MICHAEL CURRY

Hair & Makeup Design MICHAEL WARD

Associate Choreographer MAREY GRIFFITH

Production Stage Manager CHARLES UNDERHILL

Associate Music Producer ROBERT ELHAI

Additional Vocal Score, Vocal Arrangements & Choral Director LEBO M

Music Coordinator MICHAEL KELLER

Fight Director RICK SORDELET

Choreography by GARTH FAGAN

Conceived & Directed by JULIE TAYMOR

Production Supervisor LISA DAWN CAVE

Company Manager JOSE SOLIVAN

Orchestrators ROBERT ELHAI & DAVID METZGER

Casting ARC MARK BRANDON, CSA

RAFIKI

CAST of characters

(in order of appearance)

Zama Magudulela

MUFASA ...................................................................................................................... David D’Lancy Wilson

SARABI ...................................................................................................................................... Jennifer Theriot

ZAZU ........................................................................................................................................... Nick LaMedica

SCAR ............................................................................................................................................ Peter Hargrave

YOUNG SIMBA (at certain performances) ................................................... Aaron Chao, Josiah Watson

YOUNG NALA (at certain performances) ........................................... Journey Compas, Marley Gomes

SHENZI ........................................................................................................................................ Martina Sykes

BANZAI Forest VanDyke

ED Robb Sapp

TIMON Nick Cordileone

PUMBAA

Danny Grumich

SIMBA Gilbert Domally

NALA ...................................................................................................................................... Thembelihle Cele

ENSEMBLE SINGERS....... Aja Simone Baitey, Reoagile Choabi, Cedrick Ekra, Camryn Hampton, Joel Karie, Gabisile Manana, Ntethelelo Nhlapho, Sicelo Ntshangase, Yael Pineda-Hall, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Avilon Trust Tate, Jennifer Theriot, Ben Toomer, Denzel Tsopnang

ENSEMBLE DANCERS

Ellen Akashi, Vernon Brooks III, Shaquelle Charles, Maurice Dawkins, Valériane Louisy Louis Joseph, Jane King, Keyveontae’ Martin, Morgan Reed McDaniel, Yuka Notsuka, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Brena K. Thomas, Shacura Wade, Jordan Nicole Willis

STANDBYS

SCAR: William John Austin, Drew Hirshfield, Thom Christopher Warren; ZAZU: Drew Hirshfield, Thom Christopher Warren; TIMON: Drew Hirshfield, Thom Christopher Warren; PUMBAA: William John Austin, Drew Hirshfield, Thom Christopher Warren

SWINGS

Kayla Rose Aimable, LaMar Baylor, Eric Bean, Jr., Daniela Cobb, Lyric Danae, Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Justin Mensah, Aaron Nelson, Jordan Samuels, Courtney Thomas

DANCE CAPTAINS

Kayla Rose Aimable, Courtney Thomas

UNDERSTUDIES

(Understudies never substitute for listed players unless announced at the time of the performance) Rafiki–Reoagile Choabi, Gabisile Manana, Yael Pineda-Hall, Poseletso Sejosingoe; Mufasa–Joel Karie, Aaron Nelson, Ben Toomer, Denzel Tsopnang; Sarabi–Aja Simone Baitey, Daniela Cobb, Camryn Hampton, Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Yael Pineda-Hall; Zazu–Robb Sapp; Scar–Aaron Nelson; Shenzi–Daniela Cobb, Quiana Onrae’l Holmes, Yael Pineda-Hall, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Jennifer Theriot; Banzai–Joel Karie, Justin Mensah; Ed–Eric Bean, Jr., Maurice Dawkins, Joel Karie, Jordan Samuels, Courtney Thomas; Timon– Robb Sapp; Simba–Cedrick Ekra, Justin Mensah, Aaron Nelson, Avilon Trust Tate; Nala–Aja Simone Baitey, Reoagile Choabi, Camryn Hampton, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Jennifer Theriot

SPECIALTIES

Circle of Life Vocals–Ntethelelo Nhlapho, Sicelo Ntshangase; Mouse Shadow Puppet–Sicelo Ntshangase; Ant Hill Lady–Jane King, Jordan Nicole Willis; Guinea Fowl–Keyveontae’ Martin; Buzzard Pole–Shaquelle Charles; Gazelle Wheel–Ellen Akashi; Gazelles–Vernon Brooks III, Keyveontae’ Martin; Lioness Chant Vocal–Sicelo Ntshangase; Acrobatic Trickster–Sayiga Eugene Peabody; Giraffe Shadow Puppets–Avilon Trust Tate, Ben Toomer; Cheetah–Brena K. Thomas, Shacura Wade; Stilt Giraffe–Maurice Dawkins; Scar Shadow Puppet–Avilon Trust Tate, Ben Toomer, Denzel Tsopnang; Simba Shadow Puppet–Cedrick Ekra, Joel Karie, Sicelo Ntshangase; One By One Vocal–Ntethelelo Nhlapho, Sicelo Ntshangase, Poseletso Sejosingoe; One By One Dance–Denzel Tsopnang; Fireflies–Jane King, Jordan Nicole Willis; Pumbaa Pole Puppet–Shaquelle Charles; Nala Pole Puppet–Brena K. Thomas, Shacura Wade; Lioness/Hyena Shadow Puppets–Aja Simone Baitey, Reoagile Choabi, Camryn Hampton, Gabisile Manana, Yael Pineda-Hall, Poseletso Sejosingoe.

Reoagile Choabi, Zama Magudulela, Gabisile Manana, Ntethelelo Nhlapho, Sicelo Ntshangase, Poseletso Sejosingoe, and David D’Lancy Wilson are appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association.

ORCHESTRA

Conductor–Karl Shymanovitz

Associate Conductor–Dean Balan, Angela Jamieson Keyboard 1–Matthew Croft; Keyboard 2/Assistant Conductor–Angela Jamieson, Eric Banitt, Ben Johnson; Guitar–Robert Tye; Bass–Michael Brown; Drums–Phil Martin; Marimba–Raphael Torn; Percussion–Stefan Monssen, Reuven Weizberg; Flutes–Nicole Schroeder Raimato, Peter Arfsten; French Horn–Tim Riley Music Coordinator–Michael Keller

Scan here for any updated cast replacement announcements for this performance

Based on the Disney film

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff; Produced by Don Hahn

Special thanks to all the artists and staff of Walt Disney Feature Animation

Scene 1

SCENES musical numbers

ACT ONE

Pride Rock

“Circle of Life” with “Nants’ Ingonyama” ...................................................... Rafiki, Ensemble Scene 2

Scar’s Cave Scene 3

Rafiki’s Tree Scene 4 The Pridelands Scene 5

Scar’s Cave Scene 6 The Pridelands

“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” Young Simba, Young Nala, Zazu, Ensemble Scene 7 Elephant Graveyard

“Chow Down” ................................................................................................. Shenzi, Banzai, Ed Scene 8 Under the Stars

“They Live in You” ..........................................................................................Mufasa, Ensemble Scene 9 Elephant Graveyard

“Be Prepared”..................................................................... Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Ensemble Scene 10 The Gorge Scene 11 Pride Rock

“Be Prepared” (Reprise) Scar, Ensemble

“Nao Tse Tsa” Rafiki, Sarabi, Young Nala Scene 12

Rafiki’s Tree Scene 13 The Desert/The Jungle

“Hakuna Matata” ......................................

Timon, Pumbaa, Young Simba, Simba, Ensemble

ACT TWO

Entr’acte

“One by One” Ensemble Scene 1

Scar’s Cave

“The Madness of King Scar” Scar, Zazu, Banzai, Shenzi, Ed, Nala Scene 2 The Pridelands

“Shadowland” .......................................................................................... Nala, Rafiki, Ensemble Scene 3 The Jungle Scene 4 Under the Stars

“Endless Night”................................................................................................. Simba, Ensemble Scene 5 Rafiki’s Tree Scene 6 The Jungle

“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” .......................... Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Nala, Ensemble

“He Lives in You” (Reprise) Rafiki, Simba, Ensemble Scene 7 Pride Rock

“King of Pride Rock”/“Circle of Life” (Reprise) Ensemble

THERE WILL BE ONE 15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

SONG CREDITS

All songs by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) except as follows:

“Circle of Life”: by Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) with “Nants’ Ingonyama”: by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M; “He Lives in You” (“They Live in You”): Music and lyrics by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Lebo M; “Nao Tse Tsa”: Music and lyrics by Jacques Loubelo; “One by One”: Music and lyrics by Lebo M; “Shadowland”: Music by Lebo M and Hans Zimmer, lyrics by Mark Mancina and Lebo M; “Endless Night”: Music by Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, and Jay Rifkin, lyrics by Julie Taymor; “King of Pride Rock”: Music by Hans Zimmer, lyrics by Lebo M

ADDITIONAL SCORE

Grasslands chant and Lioness chant by Lebo M; Rafiki’s chants by Tsidii Le Loka.

WARNING

The photographing or sound recording of any performance or the possession of any device for such photographing or sound recording inside the theatre, without the written permission of the management, is prohibited by law. Offenders may be ejected and liable for damages and other lawful remedies.

Disney Theatrical Group welcomes you to this performance.

With our local partners, we are committed to providing a welcoming space for everyone to share in the irreplaceable experience of live theater.

Thank you for your participation in making touring Broadway a respectful and inclusive place, where everyone on stage, backstage and in the audience feels they belong.

WHO’S WHO in the cast

PETER HARGRAVE (Scar). Beyond a dream to be in the Pridelands. Credits Off-Broadway and regionally including Cleveland Play House, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Texas Shakespeare Festival, and Disney Cruise Line. TV: “Law & Order: SVU,” “FBI,” “Godfather of Harlem,” “Dynasty” and “Madam Secretary.” Training: CWRU/CPH MFA. Thanks isn’t enough for Harris, Mom, Dad, and The Lion King family. For my everything, Kat, and our wildest dream, Ivy.

DAVID D’LANCY WILSON (Mufasa) is truly honored to portray the iconic father figure, Mufasa, continuing to serve the rich legacy of The Lion King Theatre credits Include: The Lion King (Toronto/ Mirvish) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Toronto/Mirvish), Hairspray (ACC St. John’s). Film & TV credits include: Trap, “The Killer I Picked Up,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Designated Survivor,” “Murdoch Mysteries.” Always for Shannon and our cubs. IMDb: David D’Lancy Wilson | IG @daviddlancywilson | Jer 29:11

ZAMA MAGUDULELA (Rafiki). Performing credits: The Lion King (Canada, France, Spain, Brazil, China, Germany, Australia), Totem (Cirque du Soleil), The Party Show (Allegria Live & Yllana Productions), The Zulu Musical (Mbongeni Ngema), “The Voice” (Spain), opening for Céline Dion and Johnny Glegg. Backing vocalist for Mr Bones and Elephant Tales film themes. Zama wrote two songs for the 2010 World Cup, won Best Lead Singer on Molière awards and performed House music with DJ Kiko, Bee and Jamie Del-Valle in Spain. Instagram: @Zamalicious09

NICK CORDILEONE (Timon). OFFBROADWAY: Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd (Mint Theater), Hamlet (Theatre by the Blind). REGIONAL: The Alchemist (Shakespeare Theatre Company); Lobby Hero (The Old Globe); Crime and Punishment (Cincinnati Playhouse and Actors Theatre); Henry VI, Richard III (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Comedy of Errors, Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey). FILM/TV: Step Up 2, “Warrior” Season 3 (HBO/ Netflix). Upcoming “Crystal Lake” Season 1

(A24/Peacock). LOVE: … Amy, Hero, & Guthrie. Instagram: @Milquetoastpoints

NICK LAMEDICA (Zazu). Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King. Broadway Tour & Tokyo: WAR HORSE. Off Broadway: The Mint. Regional: Denver Center, The Rep St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, TheaterWorks Hartford, City Theatre Company, Barrington Stage Company, Two River Theater. NY: American Globe Theatre. Television: “Chicago Fire.” BFA: Marymount Manhattan College. “…only through love.” www. NickLaMedica.com

DANNY GRUMICH (Pumbaa). is thrilled to be joining the Pridelands! TV: “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS). Off-Broadway: A Piece of My Heart, With or Without You. Regional: Newsies (Wiesel, Stages St. Louis), Kinky Boots (Ogunquit Playhouse, ACT of CT), Sister Act (Engeman). Concerts: Follies (Carnegie Hall). Love to The Mine, family, and friends for their constant support. For Meryn and Gracie! @danny.grumich

GILBERT DOMALLY (Simba). Broadway: Disney’s The Lion King. Regional credits: The Color Purple (Goodman, The Muny & Drury Lane Theatre), Choir Boy (Yale Rep & Steppenwolf); Madagascar (Chicago Shakes); Hairspray, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Elf (Paramount Theatre); Oliver (Marriott Theatre); Dreamgirls, Cabaret (Porchlight); Sister Act (Mercury Theatre), Wild Party, Dessa Rose (Bailiwick Chicago). TV: “Law and Order SVU,” “4400.” Gilbert is Grateful to God, his family and friends for the love and support. Follow him on Instagram @Gtdomally

THEMBELIHLE CELE (Nala). Born in Durban, South Africa. Credits Include: Disney’s The Lion King (Broadway, U.K & Ireland Tour, US Nat’l Tour), Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, #D23EXPO 2017. TV Appearance: eTV “Popstars.” For my angel mother, and my dad: VICO. MAGAYE ONGANGOLWANDLE! Endless thanks to my ever-loving husband and family. Nkulunkulu wemihlolo. Mafung’ angajiki. Instagram: @lihlecele91

Elevate Every Act!

Step into a higher class of performance and switch up to the unrivaled elegance of the INFINITI QX60 and QX80—your invitation to experience luxury begins today at INFINITI of Beachwood.

FOREST VANDYKE (Banzai) is thrilled to be making his Lion King debut! Off – Broadway: Dog Man: The Musical (George/Chief, Lucille Lortel Theatre), Cadaver Synod (Pope Formosus, Playwrights Horizon). Regional: Mystic Pizza: A New Musical (Lionel Hampton, Ogunquit Playhouse), Choir Boy (David, Marin Theatre Company), Goddess (Mosi, Eugene O’Neill Theater). “I want to thank my parents who are my biggest cheerleaders!!”

MARTINA SYKES (Shenzi) is elated to be joining the Pridelands! Native of St. Petersburg, Fla. and graduate of the University of Florida. Favorite credits: Motown The Musical (Broadway and First National Tour), Raindogs, Rent and Hairspray. I would like to thank God, my family and friends for their unconditional love and support. Ephesians 3:20. Instagram: Ladysykes1 www.theheARTmission.org.

ROBB SAPP (Ed) is a proud Clevelander rejoining the North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King directly from the Broadway company. Additionally, he has been a part of the 1st National and Las Vegas productions. Other credits include Boq in Wicked (Broadway), Pinocchio in Shrek (Broadway), Saturday Night Fever (1st National Tour). Syracuse University, BFA. Special heartfelt thanks to his friend and teacher Pat Haynish for her constant love, support and guidance.

WILLIAM JOHN AUSTIN (Standby Scar & Pumbaa). New York Theatre: Measure for Measure, On the Verge. Regional: Trinity Rep, Hartford Stage. MFA: Brown/Trinity Rep. Voice over artist: Nigel the Xyzal owl. WilliamJohnAustin.com

DREW HIRSHFIELD (Standby Scar, Zazu, Timon & Pumbaa) is happy to return to The Lion King. In addition to a previous stint as Zazu, he is lucky enough to have worked on plays by Bertolt Brecht, Sandy Rustin, Arthur Miller, Robert Askins, Jordan Seavey, Lucas Knath, Steve Martin, Peter Shaffer, Lanford Wilson, Oliver Goldsmith, Tom Stoppard, Neil Simon, Kate Hamill, Shakespeare, and many others, at theaters large and small across the county. He’s long served on the faculty at New York Film Academy. Thanks to A+S, WTG+LG.

THOM CHRISTOPHER WARREN (Standby Scar, Zazu, Timon & Pumbaa). 22 years with The Lion King on Broadway, tour and Shanghai. B’way: Once Upon a Mattress. Regional: Hello, Dolly! (Horace), La Cage... (Albin), Ragtime (Tateh), Pippin (Charles/Berthe), Next to Normal (Dan), World premiere of Harmony (Harry), Peter & the Starcatcher (Black Stache), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye) & Come From Away (Claude). IG: @Tcdubs. Host: Thank You, Half Hour podcast on Spotify & Apple podcasts. Love to Adam & Cbus family.

AARON CHAO (Young Simba at certain performances) is honored to join The Lion King National Tour. Credits include the voice of Nemo in Disney’s Nemo’s New Year Shell-A-Bration. He began performing at age 5 and has appeared in regional theatre productions, TV, and film. Grateful to his family, friends, coaches, and his agent at CTG for their support. IG: @i_am_aaron_chao

JOURNEY COMPAS (Young Nala at certain performances). From South Florida, Journey is thrilled to make her national tour debut! She has performed in musical theatre since age three, appearing in local productions and national commercials. In her downtime, she trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a 3x season champion. Grateful to Disney and her family for their support. @journeycompasofficial

MARLEY GOMES (Young Nala at certain performances) is thrilled to make her national tour debut! Credits include Broadway: Gypsy (Baby June) and TV: “Sesame Street.” Huge thanks to her amazing coaches, agents at The Osbrink Agency, managers at Ascend Talent Management, and her incredible family and friends. Follow her journey on Instagram @marleylgomes.

JOSIAH WATSON (Young Simba at certain performances) is thrilled to join The Lion King National Tour! Credits: Milo Imagines the World (Milo, Alliance Theatre) and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Charlie, Legacy Theatre). He is grateful to God, and thanks his family, ARC Casting, Disney, CBD (voice), and Landmark Christian Fine Arts program. IG: josiah.a.watson

KAYLA ROSE AIMABLE (Swing, Dance Captain). Glory! Theater: The Wiz, Arkansas Repertory, The Color Purple, West Coast Black Theater

Cleveland families can get 100% kid-focused care without driving too far or waiting too long. Visit our locations in Mayfield Heights and Beachwood, and look for our new location at Boys & Girls Club, Broadway, coming soon.

Learn more at akronchildrens.org/Cleveland.

Troupe, Hairspray, Royal Caribbean. She would like to Thank God, family, and mentors for all of their love and support. Psalm 23.

ELLEN AKASHI (Ensemble). Honored to join the family! BFA Chapman University. Credits include San Diego Opera, Backhausdance, Laurie Sefton Creates, Dance Lab New York, Company XIV. All love to family, friends, and the team at MSA. @ellen.akashi

AJA SIMONE BAITEY (Ensemble, Understudy Nala & Sarabi) is excited to join the LK family! Credits include: Six (NCL), The Book of Mormon (Nat’l Tour), Jesus Christ Superstar (Nat’l Tour), Redwood (La Jolla Playhouse), Beautiful (Asolo Rep), The Color Purple (Casa Mañana). @ajasimonebaitey

LAMAR BAYLOR (Swing). A Camden, NJ native. Broadway Debut: The Lion King. Education: B.F.A., M.S. Companies: Eleone Dance Theater, RDDC, PHILADANCO. TV: Madame Secretary, Tony Awards, All-American:Homecoming. Commercials: Disney, Bloomingdales. IG: mar_noir, Love & Light!

ERIC BEAN, JR. (Swing, Understudy Ed). Originally from Bermuda, Eric attended the University of the Arts (Phila. PA) where he received his BFA in Dance Education & Choreography. A finalist in the Philadelphia A.W.A.R.D.S. competition, Mr. Bean has taught and choreographed nationally & internationally; offering master classes /workshops whenever available. Credits: Koresh Dance Co, Donn Arden’s Jubilee!,Viking Ocean. Regional: The Little Mermaid, Beauty & the Beast, Once on this Island. IG: EBJDANCE

VERNON BROOKS III (Ensemble). Born and raised in New Orleans, Vernon is a graduate of Pace University and has performed with Martha Graham Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company and Parsons Dance Co. Vernon is honored to now be part of The Lion King.

SHAQUELLE CHARLES (Ensemble) is an Afro-Caribbean artist from Guyana who obtained his BFA at Marymount Manhattan College. Since then he has performed with Mark Morris Dance, the Metropolitan Opera, and Dianne McIntyre. He has presented works at La

Biennale Dance Festival under Wayne Mcgregor, Symphony space and more.

REOAGILE CHOABI (Ensemble, Understudy Rafiki & Nala) is an actress, vocalist and songwriter and graduate of the National School of the Arts. Credits: The Lion King (Ensemble & Understudy Nala; Brazil & Asia tour) 2019 - 2024; performed National Anthem at Chinese Embassy (2018), backing vocalist in Afropunk (2018); guest on Yo-Tv (2017).

DANIELA COBB (Swing, Understudy Sarabi & Shenzi) is a graduate of Alabama State University. Theatre: The Odyssey; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; The Wiz; The Winter’s Tale; Roe (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); The First Noel (Kenny Leon’s True Colors); Freak Friday (Horizon Theatre Co.); Black Nativity; For Colored Girls…; Dreamgirls; (Cloverdale Playhouse) and The Color Purple

LYRIC DANAE (Swing) is elated to be making her debut in the Pridelands! She is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program and her favorite credits include: The Bodyguard, Oscar At The Crown, and the NBA Boston Celtics. @lyricdanae

MAURICE DAWKINS (Ensemble). Broadway Tours: Cats, The Prom. Regional: West Side Story (Lyric Opera of Chicago), A Chorus Line (Cincinnati Playhouse) Cats (RCCL), Newsies. Alum of Sarah Lawrence College and LaGuardia Arts HS. Repped by The Mine Agency! Love you Mom, Laura, and my cats, Mr. Business and Luna Instagram: @dawkinsmaurice.

CEDRICK EKRA (Ensemble, Understudy Simba). National Tour Debut! Connecticut born - La Côte D’Ivoire proud. Select Credits: The Preacher’s Wife (Alliance Theatre) directed by Tony Winner Michael Arden, The Color Purple (Ivoryton), The Scottsboro Boys (Playhouse on Park). Film: Whitney Houston Biopic: IWDWS (Netflix). Emerson MT. bisou mama et emanuella. @cedrickekra

CAMRYN HAMPTON (Ensemble, Understudy Nala & Sarabi) is excited to join the LK Tour! OffBroadway: Little Shop of Horrors (Westside Theatre). Tour: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Regional: Hair (MTH Theatre). Thanks to family, friends, God and her team. IG: @camryn.hampton

QUIANA ONRAE’L HOLMES (Swing, Understudy Shenzi & Sarabi). You did your big one, God. Tours: Hadestown, Ain’t Too Proud, Jesus Christ Superstar, Motown the Musical Regional: GOATS (NYC), Ain’t Misbehavin (REV) The Wiz (FTC). Eternal love to Mom, family, and Henderson Hogan @quianaonrael

VALÉRIANE LOUISY LOUIS JOSEPH (Ensemble). A Parisian with roots from Martinique. Ailey School graduate. Credits: The Lion King (Paris), Sony Music Entertainment, Classical Theater of Harlem, Shirley Black Brown, Christopher L. Huggins, Ronald K. Brown, Ruddur Dance, Creative Outlet. Featured in Omah Lay’s “SOSO” music video, Asake’s Barclays Center concert. @valerianellj

JOEL KARIE (Ensemble, Understudy Mufasa, Banzai & Ed) is happy to be returning to The Lion King after performing in the Broadway and German companies. Other credits include Aida (Germany), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (UK), With A Song In My Heart (UK), Dancing in the Streets (West End), Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (West End), and proud uncle

to Kennedi (Tampa). After telling this story in 4 languages, in 3 foreign countries, Joel is thrilled to be performing on America’s national tour.

JANE KING (Ensemble) An Atlanta native, Jane danced for The Metropolitan Opera and Lustig Dance Theatre. Scholarships: The Ailey School, Atlanta Dance and Music Academy. Pictured in The Ballerina’s Little Black Book. @janealexandriaking

GABISILE MANANA (Ensemble, Understudy Rafiki). Born in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, Gabisile has previously performed with The Lion King in Australia, Holland and Spain, and throughout the world with other international performing groups, including Africa Umoja, Stamping and Mother Africa.

KEYVEONTAE’ MARTIN (Ensemble). From Oklahoma City, Keyveontae’ received his BBA and BFA from the University of Oklahoma. It’s his Broadway National Tour debut! Thanks be to God, family, and friends for your unwavering support. Credits: Creative Outlet, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. @Keyve.Martin / Proverbs 3:5-6

www.lakebusinessproducts.com

MORGAN REED MCDANIEL (Ensemble). Proud Buffalo, NY native. Training: BFA from Ailey/Fordham. Stage credits: Lyric Opera of Chicago, South Chicago Dance Theatre. Film/TV: Netflix’s “Monsters” S3. Endless gratitude to my family for their unwavering love! @morganreed888

JUSTIN MENSAH (Swing, Understudy Simba & Banzai) is a Native New Yorker who at an early age fell in love with the stage. To further develop his craft, he studied at Harlem School of the Arts and the Institute for American Musical Theatre.

AARON NELSON (Swing, Fight Captain, Understudy Scar, Simba & Mufasa) is honored to be among the few in The Lion King’s history to cover the “Big 3” roles and notably the first African American to perform as Scar on tour. Select Broadway/TV: The Lion King (Simba), “FBI: Most Wanted” (CBS), “Chicago Fire” (NBC). Aaron dedicates each performance to his children and loved ones. @theactlete // Psalm 9:2

NTETHELELO NHLAPHO (Ensemble). Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Lelo has presented original shows in Paris and teaches African music. He has worked on The Lion King (Paris, West End), Rhythms of the Pride Lands at Disneyland Paris, and is a former UJ Choir member.

YUKA NOTSUKA (Ensemble) is from Fukuoka, Japan. National Tours: Cats (Victoria), South Pacific (Liat), An American in Paris. Education: Luigi’s Jazz Centre under Francis J. Roach, The Ailey School. She thanks her family, mentors, supporters and the LK team! @yukaaada

SICELO NTSHANGASE (Ensemble). Originally from Mpumalanga Delmas in South Africa, Sicelo formed a band with close family friends in 2012, performing at weddings and events. In 2016 he took part in DStv’s choir singing show “Clash of the Choirs” and in 2017 he joined The Lion King’s Madrid Production.

SAYIGA EUGENE PEABODY (Ensemble)

Raised in Stevensville, MI of Liberian descent. T.V.: Fosse/ Verdon Series on FX. Tour: An American In Paris (1st National). Regional: Cats, Sister Act, and Evita (Marriott Lincolnshire). Thanks to Binder Casting. Here to Persevere!

YAEL PINEDA-HALL (Swing, Understudy Rafiki, Shenzi & Sarabi). Disney’s The Lion King: Broadway, North American Tour, Singapore, London, Shanghai, Melbourne and Sydney (since 2003); A Christmas Carol (2013-14), Festival of The Lion King, Hong Kong (2007-08). Part of various Musicals in the Philippines (2000-14) and Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company (198594). Thank you family and friends for your utmost support.

JORDAN SAMUELS (Swing, Understudy Ed) Broadway: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 1st national tour Newsies. Dance: Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance. Thanks to The Lion King creative team, Disney, Binder Casting and family for love and support.

POSELETSO SEJOSINGOE (Ensemble, Understudy Rafiki, Nala & Shenzi) is a South African singer and actress. International theater credits: Disney’s The Lion King (West End), The Magic Flute, The Mysteries, Aesop’s Fables, A Christmas Carol. Television: “M-Net’s Idols” (Runner-Up), “Forced Love” (SABC1 mini-series). Poseletso has performed with international artists Michael Bolton, Josh Groban, Beyonce and Westlife.

AVILON TRUST TATE (Ensemble, Understudy Simba).NC native. Broadway: The Wiz (U/S Tin Man). Tours: MJ the Musical 1st Nat’l Tour (Jermaine), The Wiz (U/S Tin Man), Mean Girls 1st Nat’l Tour (U/S Mr. Duvall). Regional: Chess (Muny), R+H’s Cinderella (NSMT). BFA MT ‘24 UNCG. Tate gives all thanks to God, Family, and Agency — The Collective. IG: @avilon.tate

JENNIFER THERIOT (Sarabi, Ensemble, Understudy Nala & Shenzi) is overjoyed to join this production. Attended: American Musical and Dramatic Academy NY. Regional credits: TARZAN®; Dreamgirls; Hairspray; Little Shop; International: Beauty and the Beast Tour and Disney cruise lines. “I thank my family and friends for their constant and overflowing prayers and support!!”

BRENA K. THOMAS (Ensemble). Native of Chicago, IL. Grateful to be a part of The Lion King! Training: The Ailey School (Scholarship Program) Concert Dance: PHILADANCO!, Ailey ll, Barnes

Museum, Guggenheim Works & Process. TV/Film: “POSE” (FX). Thanks to my family/friends. This is for you Grandma! IG: @brenakthomas

COURTNEY THOMAS (Swing, Dance Captain, Understudy Ed) is incredibly humbled to be rejoining The Lion King National Tour. Born in Atlanta, Ga he began dancing at North Atlanta High School at 16 under the direction of Tracy Vogt and immediately fell in love with arts. He studied dance at AREA (Atlanta’s Resource for Entertainment and Arts) under the direction of Jai Jones and is humbled that The Lion King is his first professional work as a dancer. Insta: @cthomdance94

BEN TOOMER (Ensemble, Understudy Mufasa) Broadway: Girl from the North Country. TV: “Law & Order.” National Tour/Regional credits: Swept Away (Berkeley Rep—World Premiere), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (National Tour), Jubilee (Arena Stage). Thanks to his family, CGF and the creatives. BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University. @B_toomer

DENZEL TSOPNANG (Ensemble, Understudy Mufasa) Ecstatically joining the Pridelands! Select credits: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (1st National Tour), The Scottsboro Boys (MTI Pilot), Boys in the Band (Windy City Playhouse), “Utopia” (Amazon Prime). Thanks to Gray Talent and my amazing friends and family! @edensbee1

SHACURA WADE (Ensemble). A St. Louis City native, Wade’s previous credits include: The Opera Theatre St. Louis, The Ailey School, The University of Missouri–KC, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance, NU World Contemporary Danse Theatre, and The KP Project. Shacura is grateful to honor her family on this journey ahead; giving all the glory to God.

JORDAN NICOLE WILLIS (Ensemble). Native of Dallas, TX, Jordan Willis received her education from Booker T. Washington HSPVA and Point Park University. Since graduating she’s performed with The Black Iris Project, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Open Dance Project and B.MOORE Dance.

JULIE TAYMOR (Conceiver/Director, Costume Design, Mask/Puppet Co-Design, Additional Lyrics) won the 1998 Tony Award® for Best Direction of a Musical and for Best Costumes for The Lion King. It also garnered Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards for Taymor’s direction; three Moliere Awards, including Best Musical and Best Costumes; and myriad awards for her original costume, mask and puppet designs. Taymor made her Broadway debut in 1996 with Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass (Lincoln Center), nominated for five Tony Awards. Other theatre work includes M. Butterfly starring Clive Owen (Cort Theatre), Grounded (Public Theatre), The Green Bird (New Victory Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, the Cort Theatre on Broadway); Titus Andronicus; The Tempest; The Taming of the Shrew (Theatre for a New Audience); The Transposed Heads (Lincoln Center and American Music Theatre Festival); Liberty’s Taken (Castle Hill Festival); and SpiderMan Turn Off the Dark (Foxwoods Theatre on Broadway). Her opera productions include the Pulitzer finalist, Grendel, composed by Elliot Goldenthal (Los Angeles Opera and the Lincoln Center Festival); Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, in repertory at the Metropolitan Opera since 2004; and Oedipus Rex with Jessye Norman, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, for which she earned the International Classical Music Award for Best Opera Production and an Emmy® for a subsequent film version. Her first film, “Fool’s Fire,” an adaptation of an Edgar Allan Poe short story, aired on PBS in 1992. Her feature films include Titus, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange; Frida, starring Salma Hayek and Alfred Molina (six 2002 Academy Award® nominations, winning two); Across the Universe (2008 Golden Globe®- nomination for Best Musical/Comedy); and The Tempest, starring Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand and Ben Whishaw. She recently directed The Glorias, starring Julianne Moore, Alicia Vikander, Bette Midler and Janelle Monae based on the life of Gloria Steinem, and completed a cinematic version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, filmed during her stage production that ran at Theatre for a New Audience’s new home in Brooklyn. Taymor has received a MacArthur “genius” Grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, two Obie Awards, the first annual Dorothy B. Chandler Award in Theatre, 2015 Inductee to the Theatre Hall of Fame, 2015 Shakespeare Theatre Company’s William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre,

2017 Disney Legends Award, among many others. A book spanning her career, Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire, is available from Abrams.

ELTON JOHN (Music). The monumental career of international singer/songwriter and performer, Elton John, has spanned more than three decades. Since launching his first tour in 1970, Elton has delivered over 4,000 performances in more than 80 countries. He is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 1 diamond, 40 platinum or multi-platinum, and 23 gold albums and more than 300 million records sold worldwide. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences had awarded Elton multiple Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Legend Award. In the early 1990s, Elton collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice on the soundtrack for The Lion King, winning him an Academy Award. The album produced two top-selling, award-winning singles: “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” The Tony Award-winning Broadway productions of The Lion King and Aida both awarded Elton with Grammy Awards for Best Musical Show Album. Billy Elliot was nominated for a record-tying 15 Tony Awards and won 10, including Best Musical. In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations. In 1998, the Queen of England knighted him Sir Elton John, CBE. In 2004, Elton received the Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime contributions to American culture and excellence through the performing arts. In 2003, Elton was honored as the first recipient of the prestigious BRITs Icon Award. Elton announced the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018. Encompassing 5 continents, and over 350 dates, this 3-year-long tour started in September 2018 and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. In May 2019 it was named Billboard’s Top Rock Tour. 2019 also saw the release of the critically acclaimed ‘Rocketman’ and global bestselling autobiography, ‘Me’. An epic fantasy musical motion picture of Elton’s life ‘Rocketman’ has been a box office smash, taking close to $200m at the box office, and has already won two Golden Globe Awards including Best Original Song. It has also garnered nominations for three Critics’ Choice Awards, four BAFTA nominations, an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song and its

soundtrack has also been nominated for a GRAMMY Award.

TIM RICE (Lyrics) has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration (lyrics by Tim, music by Andrew) was based on the life of Dr. Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes Of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. Tim has also worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here to Eternity). Tim founded his own cricket team in 1973 and was President of MCC in 2002. He was appointed President of the London Library in 2017 in succession to Sir Tom Stoppard. He has won several awards (an EGOT, etc.), mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up.

LEBO M (Additional Music & Lyrics, Vocal Score, Vocal Arrangements, Choral Director) is known as the “voice and spirit of The Lion King.” Once a teenage singer in Soweto, the GRAMMY® Award winner and Tony® nominee’s music brings audiences to tears with hauntingly inspiring African rhythms and melodies. Lebo’s talents have been hailed by the worldwide press in superlatives that might describe the most delightfully poetic of musical deities. Since his arrival in America, Lebo has attracted music industry giants such as Quincy Jones, Jimmy Cliff and Hans Zimmer as mentors, allies and collaborators. Lebo has performed and produced four albums, Rhythm of the Pride Lands (Disney), Deeper Meaning (Gallo) and The Lion King (Japanese and Hamburg cast recordings). Other credits include The Power of One, Back on the Block and Listen Up with Quincy Jones; the feature films Outbreak (Warner Bros.), Congo (Warner Bros.) and Born to Be Wild (Paramount); he is the composer and co-producer of the Legend of Tarzan theme song, “Opar;” and the Disney television special “People.” He has performed on the Academy Awards® and the Essence Awards Show, with Vanessa Redgrave at KthimiThe Return in Kosovo, and been honored by Artists for a Free South Africa.

MARK MANCINA (Additional Music & Lyrics, Music Produced for the Stage, Additional Score). A Tony® nominee and multi-platinum, threetime GRAMMY® Award-winning composer, Mr. Mancina produced songs for Disney’s blockbuster animated feature film, and proved a uniquely qualified choice to produce the music for the stage production of The Lion King. The 1994 film’s critical and box office success spawned the hit album Rhythm of the Pride Lands, for which he co-wrote and produced multiple tracks, including “He Lives in You” and “Shadowland,” songs featured in the stage production. In addition to his songwriting and producing achievements, he is a seasoned film score composer. Mr. Mancina’s credits include mega-hits Moana, Training Day, Speed, Twister, Bad Boys, TARZAN ® , and August Rush among many others.

ROGER ALLERS (Book) co-directed the original 1994 animated classic The Lion King. He later received a 1998 Tony® nomination for adapting the film to the stage, alongside co-author Irene Mecchi. A driving force of Disney’s Renaissance era of the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Allers served as Head of Story on Beauty and the Beast and Oliver & Company, and created iconic moments in The Little Mermaid, including “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.” He contributed story to Aladdin and Rescuers Down Under, and concept design for the groundbreaking cult classic, Tron. Mr. Allers directed the Academy Award®–nominated short The Little Matchgirl for Disney, the animated film Open Season for Sony Pictures Animation, and wrote and directed The Prophet, adapted from Khalil Gibran’s book. His legacy lives on in his enduring body of work (1949-2026).

IRENE MECCHI (Book) began her association with Disney, when she wrote the animated short, Recycle Rex, which won the 1994 Environmental Media Award. Irene is a co-writer of Disney’s animated features The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Along with co-author Roger Allers, she received a 1998 Tony® nomination for writing the book for The Lion King. Irene adapted Annie for ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney and Peter Pan Live – for NBC. She shares a writing credit on Disney Pixar’s Brave. Irene is currently developing new projects for the stage and screen.

GARTH FAGAN (Choreographer). From Kingston, Jamaica, Mr. Fagan is the recipient of the 1998 Tony Award®, the 2000 Laurence Olivier Award, and the 2004 Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Musical for his work on The Lion King Regarded as “one of the great reformers of modern dance,” Fagan has toured the world with Garth Fagan Dance for over five decades, earning international recognition and numerous accolades, including a New York Bessie Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Fulbright 50th Anniversary Distinguished Fellowship.

RICHARD HUDSON (Scenic Design). Born in Zimbabwe, Richard Hudson trained at Wimbledon School of Art. He has designed operas for Glyndebourne, Covent Garden, The Metropolitan Opera, New York, Teatro alla Scala, Maggio Musicale Florence, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, Kent Opera, Opera North, Wiener Staatsoper, Munich, Chicago, Copenhagen, Athens, Bregenz, Amsterdam, Zurich, Barcelona, Madrid, Brussels, Houston, Washington, Venice, Pesaro and Rome. He has also designed for the Aldeburgh Festival, The Royal Ballet, Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Royal Court, Almeida and the Young Vic. In 1988, Mr. Hudson won an Olivier Award for the Jonathan Miller season at the Old Vic. His set designs for The Lion King have won numerous awards including a Tony in 1998. Mr. Hudson is a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI). In 2003 he won The Gold Medal for Set Design at the Prague Quadrennial and in 2005 he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Surrey. Recent work includes Leopoldstadt (West End and Broadway), La Boheme, Gianni Schicchi (Greek National Opera); The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty (American Ballet Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Bolshoi Ballet), Four Seasons, La Bayadère Le Coq D’or and Raymonda (The Royal Danish Ballet), Das Rhinegold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (Teatro Massimo, Palermo), Versailles (Donmar Warehouse), La Bohème (Bologna), Peter Gynt (National Theatre), Morgen und Abend (Royal Opera, Covent Garden and Deutsche Oper, Berlin) and Ballo in Maschera (Verdi Festival, Parma). Future projects include Midsummer Night’s Dream for Zürich Ballet and Romeo and Juliet for New York City Ballet.

DONALD HOLDER (Lighting Design) received the 1998 Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King (Broadway) and the Moliere Award for The Lion King (Paris). Broadway: 14 Tony® nominations, 61 productions, including Ragtime (2025 revival); Schmigadoon; McNeal; The Pirates of Penzance (2025); Paradise Square; Tootsie; Kiss Me Kate (2019 revival); Oslo; Anastasia; She Loves Me (2016 revival); The King and I (2015 revival); The Bridges of Madison County; Golden Boy; South Pacific (2008 Tony Award); Oslo; Ragtime; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; A Streetcar Named Desire; Gem of the Ocean; Movin’ Out; Juan Darien; On the Twentieth Century; You Can’t Take It With You; Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark; Promises, Promises; Annie (2012 revival); Arcadia; Cyrano de Bergerac; The Little Dog Laughed; Thoroughly Modern Millie; The Boy From Oz; and many others. Television: “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel” - Seasons 4 and 5 (Amazon Studios); “Gossip Girl” (HBO); “Smash” - Seasons 1 and 2 (NBC/ DreamWorks). Film: Spirited (Apple Studios), Oceans 8 (Warner Bros. Pictures). Education: Graduate of the Yale School of Drama, and recently appointed as head of the lighting design program.

MICHAEL CURRY (Mask & Puppet Co-Design). is an award-winning visual artist and concept designer, known for his broad work in theater and live entertainment. He is sought out by the world’s top entertainment organizations, such as The Metropolitan Opera, Universal Studios, Cirque du Soleil, and the International Olympic Committee to create large-scale spectacles. He has brought his vision to countless shows for Disney, including Frozen on Broadway. Curry’s concepts can be seen in theme parks, resorts, stadium tours, and productions worldwide. Michael works closely with his long-term team in Portland, Oregon where they develop innovative solutions for future projects, as well as support multiple on-going theatrical productions around the world.

MICHAEL WARD (Hair & Makeup Design) designs for opera and theatre. For Disney: The Lion King (Broadway and others) and Der Glöckner von Notre Dame (Berlin). Other work has been seen in Britain, The United States, Holland, France, Japan, Israel and Portugal. Along with his design work in theatre, he works as a garden and landscape designer.

STEVE CANYON KENNEDY (Sound Designer). Broadway sound design credits include, Ain’t Too Proud, On Your Feet, Doctor Zhivago, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Tony Award), Hands On A Hardbody (Drama Desk Award), Jesus Christ Superstar, Catch Me If You Can (Tony Nomination), Guys and Dolls, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, Jersey Boys (Drama Desk Award), Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays, Rent, Hairspray, The Producers, Aida, Titanic, Big, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Carousel and The Who’s Tommy (Drama Desk Award).

HANS ZIMMER (Additional Music & Lyrics)

Hans Zimmer has scored more than 200 projects across all mediums, which, combined, have grossed more than 28 billion dollars at the worldwide box office. Zimmer has been honored with an Academy Award®, two Golden Globes®, three Grammys®, an American Music Award, and a Tony Award®. His work highlights include Gladiator, The Thin Red Line, As Good as It Gets, Rain Man, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Thelma and Louise, The Last Samurai, 12 Years A Slave, Blade Runner 2049 (co-scored w/ Benjamin Wallfisch) and Dunkirk, as well as recent film scores including Wonder Woman 1984, Ron Howard’s Hillbilly Elegy and The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run. In 2019, Zimmer scored the live-action remake of The Lion King, for which he received a Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. Zimmer’s films for 2021 include the James Bond film No Time to Die, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, Top Gun: Maverick and The Boss Baby: Family Business. Zimmer has completed highly successful Hans Zimmer Live tour stops around the globe and will continue to perform in an upcoming European tour beginning in February 2022.

JAY RIFKIN (Additional Music & Lyrics). The GRAMMY® Award-winning producer, together with producing and composing partner Hans Zimmer, created Media Ventures, a multifaceted entertainment group that includes music, new media, film and television. Their partnership has earned them numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Award® nominations, for the film scores of Driving Miss Daisy, Rain Man and The Lion King. Following the success of The Lion King, Jay conceived and produced the gold-selling follow-up album Rhythm of the Pride Lands.

He is also chairman of Media Revolution and a founder of the film production company Media Ventures Pictures.

ANTHONY LYN (Associate Director). Anthony was born in Swansea South Wales and trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Has worked as an actor, director, teacher and associate director. London theatre credits include Anything Goes, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Joseph…, Damn Yankees and Disney’s The Lion King. Broadway production credits include Disney’s The Lion King, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins and Les Miserables. Touring and global production credits include Mary Poppins (US National tours, Vienna, Mexico City) and Les Miserables (US National tour, Toronto). Anthony is currently the Associate Director for global productions of The Lion King, on which he has worked since 1999; as well as Saturday Night Fever and Masquerade for Jean Ann Ryan Productions globally. TV credits include the Tony Awards, “An American Celebration,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien,” the Royal Variety Performance and the 2013 Oscars. Has taught at the Royal Academy of Music London, The Actors’ Centre and Duke University in the US and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College in July 2018.

MAREY GRIFFITH (Associate Choreographer). A native New Yorker, Miss Griffith toured worldwide with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a featured dancer/soloist. Other guest appearances include Déjà vu Dance Theatre, and the Spoleto festival in Italy. Miss Griffith worked as co-choreographer on the star-studded production of The Wizard of Oz in concert at Avery Fisher Hall with Nathan Lane, Joel Grey, Jewel and Natalie Cole. She has also appeared in numerous soap operas, commercials and voiceovers. Since joining the creative team of The Lion King in August of 2000, Miss Griffith has been mounting and maintaining numerous productions worldwide. She feels incredibly honored to be working with choreographer Garth Fagan.

DAVID KREPPEL (Music Supervisor) has worked for over 25 years as conductor, music director, arranger and orchestrator. In addition to being the Music Supervisor for the Broadway and North American touring productions, David continues

to serve as Associate Music Supervisor for The Lion King worldwide, is an Assistant Conductor for Aladdin on Broadway and an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhart. Selected additional Broadway credits include Sister Act, Rock of Ages, A Chorus Line, Memphis, TARZAN ®, The Little Mermaid, and Saturday Night Fever. He was vocal arranger for Bandstand (Broadway / Tour), music supervisor / arranger for the US Tour of Joseph… Dreamcoat and The Broadway Dolls. Regional credits include work with The Old Globe, Cincinnati Playhouse and The Signature Theatre. His arrangements have been heard across the country, on multiple television shows, the Tony Awards and even the floor of the US Senate. Originally from Cincinnati and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, David appeared on stage in dozens of productions before jumping into the pit full time.

SEAN MAYES (Music Supervisor) enjoys enjoys a varied career internationally as a conductor, music supervisor, orchestrator & composer between Broadway, theatre, opera, classical & Pops worlds. Mayes is Artistic Director & Founder of POPS OF

COLOR, the new resident Pops orchestra of The Town Hall in New York City, composed entirely of musicians of color & focusing exclusively in repertoire artists of color have contributed to popular music. Additionally, Mayes is Music Supervisor & Co-Orchestrator of ALI: The Musical, based on Muhammad Ali, composed by conductor Teddy Abrams & rap icon Q-Tip. His new opera, Aportia Chryptych: A Black Opera for Portia White, made its World Premiere with the Canadian Opera Company in June 2024. Select credits include The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration (Conductor & Orchestrator; Chicago Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony); Morgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Experience (Conductor; Louisville Orchestra); Black Broadway (Conductor; PBS National Broadcast); RENT: In Concert (Music Supervisor; National Symphony, Kennedy Center); MJ (Assistant Conductor; Broadway); HADESTOWN (Associate Conductor; Broadway); An Evening With André De Shields (Music Director & Orchestrator; Baltimore Symphony); MANDELA (Conductor; Young Vic, London); The Color Purple (Music Director; Canadian Premiere). Author of three books: Reframing the Musical; An Inconvenient

Black History of British Musical Theatre & Conversations in Color: Exploring North American Musical Theatre. Forever for Lori. @maestromayes.

ROBERT ELHAI (Associate Music Producer, Orchestrator). This Tony® and Drama Desk nominee has arranged and orchestrated Oscar®, GRAMMY®, and Emmy®-winning music for composers Elliot Goldenthal (Juan Darien, Frida), Alan Menken (“Galavant”), Brian Tyler (Iron Man 3, Fast and Furious series) and many others. His compositions have graced theater and concert stages around the world. robertelhai.com

DAVID METZGER (Orchestrator) has composed the scores for films including Mufasa: The Lion King, Wish, and Once Upon a Studio. Along with his Tony and Drama Desk nominated work on The Lion King, he also orchestrated the Broadway version of Frozen. He is an in demand arranger, orchestrator, and producer of songs for film, with a body of work that includes Frozen, Frozen II, Moana, TARZAN ®, Spirited, and the upcoming Snow White, with a list of songwriters he’s worked that includes Robert Lopez and Kristen AndersonLopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Alan Menken, Elton John, Tim Rice, Glenn Slater, Stephen Schwartz, Phil Collins, and Julia Michaels. He has also orchestrated over 70 films. davemetzgermusic.com

MICHAEL KELLER (Music Coordinator). Current Broadway: Hamilton, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, The Lion King. Tours: Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King. Pamela, Zachary, Christin & Gavin, Alexis & Joe make it all worthwhile.

KARL SHYMANOVITZ (Music Director/ Conductor) has happily worked with various companies of The Lion King since 2004. He has conducted at opera houses in Germany and Italy and was the Music Director for El Paso Opera. Other credits include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Detroit and Denver Center), The Producers (Las Vegas), Spamalot (1st National Tour), Marry Me a Little (Cincinnati Playhouse), West Side Story (Trinity Rep). His arrangements have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. He is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, The University of Michigan, and CCM.

CHRISTOPH BUSKIES (KeyComp Programming). Christoph’s revolutionary music system KeyComp has been successfully implemented worldwide in “Frozen”, “Aladdin”, “The Little Mermaid”, “Sister Act”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King”. More information available through www.keycomp.com

MONIQUE MIDGETTE (Resident Director). Directing: Once on This Island, Having Our Say, Ain’t Misbehavin (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), Noises Off (ZACH), Ain’t Misbehavin (TUTS), BEEHIVE (Next Stop), Dessa Rose in Concert (Olney), Big River (AD Adventure Theatre). Performing: BROADWAY: The Civil War, Marie Christine, Seussical the Musical. TOURS: The Lion King, Dreamgirls, Little Shop of Horrors. REGIONAL: The Wiz, Children of Eden, The Women of Brewster Place, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. IG: moniquecreates moniquemidgette.com

KELLEN STANCIL (Resident Dance Supervisor). is a NYC based Director & Choreographer. After 16 years with The Lion King and 12 of those years as the Dance Captain on Broadway, Kellen is thrilled to be joining the North American tour as the Resident Dance Supervisor. He currently holds the title of Director of Broadway Bares produced by Jerry Mitchell & BCEFA. Kellen works as an Audition Choreographer & Casting Associate for Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines & Walt Disney World. Visit www.kellenstancil.com for more.

LISA DAWN CAVE (Production Supervisor). has worked on over 20 Broadway productions. She serves on the board of BC/EFA, is a Founder of Black Theatre United and Broadway & Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of Color. She is the recipient of the 2023 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre. Namaste!

CHARLES UNDERHILL (Production Stage Manager). Broadway: Aladdin, Frozen, Moulin Rouge, School of Rock, Something Rotten!, Rocky, Annie, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway, Billy Elliot the Musical, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof (2008 Revival), Les Misérables (2006 Revival), The History Boys, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Bombay Dreams, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wild Party, The Scarlet Pimpernel (1.0, 2.0, 3.0). Off-Broadway: Elaine Stritch: At Liberty – The Public Theater. National tours: Frozen, Billy

Elliot the Musical, Carousel. Other: Associate Production Supervisor – The Lion King (Worldwide), Frozen (Worldwide), Jimmy Buffett’s Don’t Stop the Carnival – Nassau, Bahamas.

MICHELLE SCALPONE (Stage Manager).

Broadway: Love Life (Encores), Fish In The Dark, Matilda, Forever Tango, Chaplin. NYC: The Public Theater, Audible, The New Group, Red Bull, The Shed, Atlantic; TV: “Encore!” (Disney+), NBC’s “The Wiz Live.” Regional: Kennedy Center, Bucks County, Goodspeed, Williamstown, Old Globe. Education: University of Arizona & Juilliard. For Dad, Mom, & Julie.

KAREN PARLATO (Assistant Stage Manager) has been on the Rafiki Tour since 2021. Other credits include: The Lion King Toronto Company, The Phantom of the Opera (Broadway), Silence! The Musical (Off-Broadway), Ogunquit Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Crossroads Theatre Company, The Acting Company.

CATHY HWANG (Assistant Stage Manager). Broadway: KPOP, Thoughts of a Colored Man.

Tours: Disney’s Frozen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (1st National). Regional: Thoughts of a Colored Man, King of the Yees (Baltimore Center Stage); Pamplona, Father Comes Home from the Wars, The Wolves, Yasmina’s Necklace (Goodman Theatre).

AMY LeGORE (Sub Stage Manager). Touring: Finding Neverland, Fiddler on the Roof, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Company. Regional: The Who’s Tommy, Zoey’s Perfect Wedding, Smart People (Denver Center Theatre Company); Evita; Santa Fe Opera; Colorado New Play Festival.

JOSHUA PILOTE (Sub Stage Manager). Broadway: Aladdin, Other Desert Cities. Tours: Miss Saigon, The Bridges of Madison County, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Dirty Dancing, RENT, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Other: Blue Man Group, Dallas Theater Center, La Jolla Playhouse, LA Philharmonic, The Old Globe, Public Theater, Roundabout, T.U.T.S. Proud AEA Member. B.A.: The College of Idaho. Follow his adventures on Instagram @co_pilote.

PATRICK WETZEL (Sub Stage Manager). Broadway: Ain’t Broadway Grand (debut), Annie Get Your Gun, Thou Shalt Not, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spamalot, All About Me, Aladdin, Tuck Everlasting, Something Rotten, Frozen. Tours: The Prom (Barry Glickman), Billy Elliot (Mr. Braithwaite - Helen Hayes nomination), Cinderella, Joseph...Dreamcoat. OffBroadway: Atlantic Theater Company, Carnegie Hall. @patrickwetzelnyc

CAROLYN M. LAWSON (Physical Therapy) is founder and CEO of Neurosport & NEURO TOUR, leaders in performing arts medicine. We are honored to be part of this amazing Rafiki Tour.

ARC/MARK BRANDON, CSA (Casting). 150+ productions across the globe & 13 Artios Awards for Casting. Broadway/NY Past & credits include: Othello, Real Women Have Curves, A Wonderful World, Life of Pi, Chicago the Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hadestown, Lost in Yonkers, Great Comet of 1812, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, 39 Steps, Pippin, La Cage aux Folles. TV/Film: Netflix, 20th Century Fox, NBC, Lionsgate, Disney Channel. West End/U.K.: Hadestown, Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. Tours: 1776, Hairspray, Waitress, Urinetown, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You. Regional: A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Alley, Bay Street, Ogunquit Playhouse, Goodspeed, Hollywood Bowl, McCarter, Signature. ARC, Part of RWS Global. www.castingbyarc.com IG: castingbyarc

CHRIS MONTAN (Executive Music Producer) joined Disney in 1984 and served as president of Walt Disney Music until 2016. Under his guidance as head of music, soundtracks from ten theatrical releases (Cocktail, Beaches, The Little Mermaid, Pretty Woman, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, TARZAN® and Frozen) were certified multi-platinum. Additionally, the Studio received widespread GRAMMY®, Golden Globe® and Academy Award® recognition for many of its music entries, including 44 musical Oscar® nominations. A twotime GRAMMY® award-winner, he also served as a producer of the television production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” as well as executive producer of the “Wonderful World of

Disney’s Annie” where he won a Peabody award for Broadcasting.

DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart. Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony Awards®, winning Broadway’s highest honor 20 times. The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994, playing a remarkable 13-year run on Broadway and continues to be produced in replica productions around the world. In November 1997 Disney made theatrical history with the opening of The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to win the award. Approaching 30 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed over 124 million visitors worldwide to date and has multiple productions currently running worldwide. Within Disney Theatrical Group’s first three decades, under the leadership of Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or entertainment title in box office history. Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six-year Tony-winning Broadway run. TARZAN®, Tony-nominated for its 2006 Broadway premiere, went on to become an international hit with an award-winning production enjoying a ten-year run in Germany. In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the best-selling new musical of that year. Disney Theatrical opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, winning seven Tony Awards between them: Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, each of which enjoyed a two-year run and launched a North American tour, with Newsies playing a record-breaking Fathom Events in-cinema release. Disney Theatrical Group’s 2014 hit, Aladdin, continues its smash Broadway run, having launched eleven productions on four

continents and been seen by more than 21 million guests. Disney Theatrical’s newest hit, the 2018 Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen has launched eight productions around the world with a filmed version of the stage musical currently available on Disney+. Other stage ventures include King David in concert on Broadway, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical and the Olivier-nominated West End hit Shakespeare in Love. Disney Theatrical Group has collaborated with preeminent theatres in the US to develop new stage musicals including The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday. As a part of the recent acquisition of 20th Century Studios, Disney Theatrical also heads the Buena Vista Theatrical banner, which licenses Fox titles for stage adaptations including Anastasia; Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Mrs. Doubtfire. Disney

Theatrical Group recently premiered Hercules in London’s West End and a North American tour production of Beauty and the Beast. The stage adaptation of the beloved film The Greatest Showman recently played Bristol, United Kingdom to box office records, with the next step in its life to be announced shortly. In addition to theatrical stage productions, Disney Theatrical Group licenses and manages Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) experiences for The Walt Disney Company, including Disney On Ice, Mundo Pixar, Disney Junior Live On Tour, and The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail, expanding the magic of Disney storytelling into immersive environments worldwide. With dozens of stage productions and live ticketed events currently being produced or licensed, a Disney live experience is taking place somewhere around the globe virtually every hour of the day.

We’re social!

Connect with us.

General Manager

STAFF The Lion King

Opening Night – July 9, 2026

Staff for THE LION KING Worldwide

Production Supervisor

Michael Bolgar

Lisa Dawn Cave

Associate General Manager Christina Huschle

Associate Director

Associate Director

Associate Choreographer

Dance Supervisor

Production Electrician Jimmy Maloney

Production Wardrobe Supervisor Stacey Stephens

Production Hair & Make Up Supervisor ..............................

Cheryl V. Thomas

Production Mask & Puppet Supervisor Antje Gern

Head Carpenter

Anthony Lyn

Adrian Sarple

Marey Griffith

Celise Hicks

Music Supervisor ........................................................................

Music Supervisor

Sr. Production Supervisor

Associate Production Supervisor

Technical Director

Sr. Manager, Technical Production

Associate Scenic Designer

Assistant Scenic Designer

Associate Costume Designer

Sean Mayes

David Kreppel

Kathleen E. Purvis

Charles Underhill

David Churchill

Martijn Appelo

Peter Eastman

Justin Arienti

Jack Galloway

Kyle Techentin

Automation Carpenter Al Osuna

Assistant Carpenter/Fly Nate Fulmer

Carpenters Bianca Dominguez, Chris Weber

Flying Supervision Ryan Stanger

Head Electrician Eric Hill

Front Light Operator Mike Schulz

Moving Light Programmer .............................................................. Brad Gray

Conventional Light Programmer Melissa Shippers

Moving Light Tracker Brandon Bagwell

Automated Lighting Electrician Andrew Dyer

Production Prop Supervisor Eric Hagenbarth

Head Properties Ben Martin

Assistant Properties Alexandra Olinyk

Sound Engineer Brian Kallaher

Assistant Sound Engineer Ian Loftis

Advance Sound Engineer Dymond Wafler

Associate Costume Designer (US) .......................................

Associate Mask & Puppet Designer

Associate Sound Designer

Assistant Sound Designer

Stacey Stephens

Sophie Jones

John Shivers

Kevin Kennedy

Associate Hair & Makeup Designer Ute Mai

Assistant Hair & Make-Up Designer

Assistant Hair & Make-Up Designer

Associate Lighting Designer

Lighting Supervisor

Assistant Lighting Designer

Laura Garcia

Emilien Hogge

Carolyn Wong

Jeanne Koenig

Martin Vreeland

Associate Production Supervisor ....................................... Elizabeth Boulger

Production & Immigration Coordinator

Production Coordinator

SENIOR PUBLICIST

NATIONAL PRESS REPRESENTATIVE

CASTING

ARC

Bri Silva

Vincent Pendarvis II

DENNIS CROWLEY

GREGORY HANOIAN

Duncan Stewart, CSA Mark Brandon, CSA

Kyle Coker, Jarrett Reiche, Patrick Maravilla

Devi Peot, Jaron Cole

Ryan Stana, CEO RWS Global

Ryan Saab, EVP RWS Global

Staff for THE LION KING

COMPANY MANAGER

Associate Company Manager

Production Stage Manager

Resident Director

Resident Dance Supervisor

Musical Director / Conductor

Stage Manager

Assistant Stage Managers

Sub Stage Managers

JOSE SOLIVAN

Shelly Cohen

Charles Underhill

Monique Midgette

Kellen Stancil

Karl Shymanovitz

Michelle Scalpone

Karen Parlato, Cathy Hwang

Meryn Beckett, Amy LeGore, Michael G. Morales, Joshua Pilote, Patrick Wetzel

Dance Captains Kayla Rose Aimable, Courtney Thomas

Fight Captain

Aaron Nelson

Assistant Choreographers Norwood J. Pennewell, Natalie Rogers

Adapted Choreography

Aubrey Lynch II

Physical Movement Coordinator Lorenzo Pisoni

Production Carpenter

Andrew Sullivan

Touring Technical Supervisor Noah Kern

Wardrobe Supervisor........................................... Debbie Burkman-Margolies

Assistant Costume Supervisor Nicole Ferrigno

Advance Wardrobe Dawn Reilly

Wardrobe Assistants Nick Lingnofski, Jodessa Presler, Season Saulet

Puppet Supervisor Michael Reilly

Puppet Assistants Brandon Kirkham, Julie Talty

Production Hair Supervisor Latasha Dayes

Hair & Makeup Supervisor Danae R. Jimenez

Hair & Makeup Assistants Kendell Dempster, Tammy Potts-Merritt

Crew Swings ............................................... Kersten Gavin, Heather Layman, Chad Stanner

Advance Carpenters Cris Cory, David Edington, Alex Forrest, Amy LeGore

Advance Electricians Zachary Alexander, Robert Ferree, James Sample, Meg Sump

Music Copyist Anixter Rice Music Service

KeyComp Programming Christoph Buskies

Personal Assistant to Elton John Bob Haley

Assistant to Tim Rice Eileen Heinink

Assistant to Mark Mancina Marlon Espino

Production Photography Joan Marcus, Deen van Meer, Matt Murphy, Evan Zimmerman

Payroll Cathy Guerra, Marie Caringal, Calvin Gin

Director, Financial Accounting.......................................................... Jill Aoki

Manager, Financial Accounting Jordan Loyo

Corporate Immigration Counsel Fabricio Lopez, Rio Racela

Corporate Music Counsel Donna Cole-Brulé Risk Management

Physical Therapy

Johan Kangas, Matthew Rooney

Neuro Tour Physical Therapy, Hunter Steigman, MA, AT, ATC

Children’s Teaching On Location Education

Tutor/Wrangler Lisa Swift

Wrangler Kristine Willis

Production Housing Road Rebel

Executive Travel

Robert Arnao, Patt McRory

Web Design Consultant Joshua Noah

Rehearsal Production Assistants Nia Arrington-Seward, Nasir Campbell, John Fortunato, Molly Jane Goldberg, Karon Haynes, Rebecca Hoi, David Jackson, Sam Leicht, Shayna Penn, Katrina Miyuki Roen

Special Thanks Robert W. Johnson, Lynn Beckemeyer

CREDITS

Costumes executed by Parsons-Meares Ltd, Donna Langman, Eric Winterling Inc., Jan Parran, and Timberlake Studios Inc. Millinery by Monica Viani and Jack C Schmitz. Craftwork by Ilya Vett, Arlene Lind-Watson, and Daniel Muro. Shibori dyeing by Joan Morris. Custom dyeing and painting by Joni Johns, Gene Mignola, Nicola Killeen Textiles, Mary Macy, and Parsons-Meares. Knitwear by Mark Lauer and Donna Doiron. Footwear by Steppin Out, Jitterbug Boy, Sara Mullins, Gamba and Onstage Dance. Additional crafts by Jeffrey Colton, Noelle Rasco and Deirdre Morgan. Costume development by Constance Hoffman. Additional research and development by Patricia Fistes-Adams. Wigs by Samantha Fletcher at the Wig Workshop UK, Cheetah skins and Make-up stamps made by Mike Defeo in the USA, Specialists brushes made by Joseph Beagley, Make-up supplied by MAC, Make-up Forever Professional Make-up, Alcone, Skin Care By Kiehl’s. Lighting supplied by PRG; Automated lighting by Philips Vari*Lite and Showline, Clay Paky, and ETC/High End Systems. Custom Accessories by City Theatrical. Lighting Props by Technical Artistry. Custom Templates by Wyatt Enever Studio. Puppets and Props by Michael Curry Design, Inc., The Paragon Innovation Group Inc., and The Rabbit’s Choice. Automation and mechanized scenery by Hudson Scenic Studios, additional scenery by Proof Productions, Scenic Arts Studios, Rose Brand, Gerriets International, I Weiss & Sons, Flying by Foy, Hands On Rigging Inc, Airworxx, Sigma Services; Custom trusses by Tyler Truss, Tomcat USA; trucking by Clark Transfer. Sound equipment by Masque Sound and Recording. Instruments by Jeff Whittier; Patrick Olwell; Tim Liu; Lark in the Morning; Beverly Pan Flutes; Bass equipment by Eden Electronics; Marimbas by Marimba One, Traditional Percussion Instruments by Bernard Woma, Motherland Music, and Wula Drums. Cymbals by Istanbul-Agop. Other percussion provided by Steve Weiss Music.

Makeup provided by

This production is produced in collaboration with our professional, union-represented employees.

The Lion King originally premiered at the Orpheum Theater, Minneapolis, MN

Facebook Facebook.com/TheLionKing

Instagram @TheLionKing

YouTube youtube.com/DisneyOnBroadway

TikTok @DisneyOnBroadway

Disney’s The Lion King is a registered trademark owned by The Walt Disney Company and used under special license by Disney Theatrical Group.

Visit The Lion King website on the World Wide Web at: www.disneyonbroadway.com

The Lion King National Tour proudly participates in Touring Green. We transport our theatrical equipment on a carbon neutral basis with Clark Transfer in association with NativeEnergy.com. For more information on this program, please visit www.clarktransfer.com/green.

The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The Stagehands, Wardrobe, Makeup and Hair employees in this production are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

United Scenic Artists • Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E. represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

The Musicians, Conductors, Music Preparation Personnel and Librarians employed in this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada.

The Press Agents and Company Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers.

This production is produced by a member of The Broadway League in collaboration with our professional union-represented employees.

SONG EXCERPTS (used by permission): “Let It Go” written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez; “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” written by Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss, Luigi Creatore and Solomon Linda; “Nao Tse Tsa” written by Jacques Loubelo; “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue” written by Joe Young, Ray Henderson and Sam M. Lewis.

DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP

under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Managing Director Anne Quart, Executive Producer

STAFF Disney Theatrical Group

Creative & Production

VP, Content & Talent Development

VP, Production

Director, Producing & Development

Director, Producing & Development

Director, Technical Production

General Manager

General Manager

Ben Famiglietti

Randy Meyer

Caley Beretta

Hunter Chancellor

Dave Churchill

Myriah Bash

Michael Bolgar

General Manager ....................................................

Sr. Production Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Production Supervisor

Production Supervisor, Live Events

Associate General Manager

Associate General Manager

Associate General Manager

Associate General Manager

Sr. Manager, Technical Production

Sr. Manager, Production Operations

Manager, Producing & Development

Kerry McGrath

Kathleen E Purvis

Lisa Dawn Cave

Holly Coombs

Jason Trubitt

Elizabeth Boulger

Christina Huschle

Heather Losey

Margie McGlone

Alex Reyes

Martijn Appelo

James Garner

Alexa Aquino

Manager, Producing & Development....................Estee Dechtman

Asst. Manager, Producing & Development

Production Archivist

Warehouse Lead

Hannah Dawe

Leah O’Gorman

Greg West

Licensed Partnerships & Brand Management

SVP, Licensed Partnerships & Brand Management

VP, Marketing, Publicity & Education

VP, Sales Strategy & Revenue Optimization

Director, Worldwide Publicity & Communications

Director, Marketing

Director, Global Sales

Director, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships

Director, Regional Engagements

Director, Education & Audience Engagement

Director, Licensed Partnerships

Director, Regional Engagements

Director, Licensed Partnerships

Sr. Manager, Publicity & Licensed Partnerships

Sr. Manager, Licensing Worldwide

Sr. Manager, Education & Accessibility Programs

Sr. Manager, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships

Sr. Manager, Digital Marketing

Angelo Desimini

Elizabeth Findlay

Lauren Rutlin

Michael Cohen

Lauren Daghini

Nicholas Faranda

Michael Height

Scott A. Hemerling

Lisa Mitchell

Ann Myers

Kelli Palan

David R. Scott

Gregory Boilard

Erin Breznitsky

Sr. Manager, National Group Sales ..........................

Manager, Social Media

Manager, Video Content

Manager, Sales & Ticketing

Manager, Domestic Tour Marketing

Revenue Manager, Sales & Ticketing

Manager, Marketing

Manager, Yield Management

Manager, Licensed Partnerships & International Production

Asst. Manager, Direct-to-Consumer Marketing

Asst. Manager, Live Ticketed Events & Licensed Partnerships

Asst. Manager, Education & Audience Engagement

Asst. Manager, Digital Education Programs

Sr. Graphic Designer

Graphic Designer

Social Media Specialist

Merchandise

VP, Merchandising & Sales Operations

Director, Sales, Licensing, & Operations

Sr. Manager, Buying, Planning & Logistics

Manager, Global Licensed Brands

Manager, Product Development

Merchandise Planner

Asst. Manager, Logistics & Inventory Control

Alyssa Somers

Valerie Cirillo

Violeta Lin

Samantha Cascio

Kevin Kiniry

Jimmisaul Blake

Tianfu Chen

Asst. Manager, Merchandise ...............................

Asst. Manager, Licensed Brands

Sr. Retail Manager

Onsite Retail Manager

Onsite Retail Asst. Manager

Onsite Retail Asst. Manager

International

VP, International, Europe

Monica Cotallat

Elli Stovall-Brown

Mario Mey

Steven Cannady

Brian Abaniel

Austin Kidwell

Fiona Thomas

Business Affairs, Legal Counsel & Labor Relations

SVP, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel

Director, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel

Director, Labor Relations

Director, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel

Paralegal Manager

Manager, Labor Relations

Paralegal Specialist

Paralegal

Seth Stuhl

Albert T. Kim

Tony Thomas

Camele-Ann White

Jessica White

Bert Piper

Andrew Harlan

Vivian Chiu

Finance, Operations & Technology

SVP, Strategy & Operations

VP, Operations

Director, Tour Strategy & Operations

Director, Technical Services & Support

Director, FP&A

Director, Production Accounting

Sr. Manager, Finance

Sr. Manager, Finance

Mario Iannetta

Dana Amendola

Michael Buchanan

Michael Figliulo

Mikhail Medvedev

Arlene Smith

Chris Ekizian

John Fisher

Sr. Manager, Security................................................

Manager, Operations

Manager, Touring Operations

Manager, Application Support & Services

Finance Manager

Sr. Financial Analyst

Sr. Production Accountant

Sr. Production Accountant

Sarah Kenny

Jon Meeker

Peter Tulba

Heather West

Alfredo D’Uva

Brandon Fake

Catherine Kim

Caitlin Mullins

Nataliya Novosad

Bryce Payne

Mark Shultz

Lisa Weiner

Meagan DiPolo

Talia Escobedo

Renita James

Julie Ann Arbiter

Dana Saragnese

Kevin Calhoun

Gabrielle Lenger

A.J. Mercado

Erin Clark

Peyton Farmer

Rebecca Turchanik

Cynthia Jiang

Michelle Chan

Angela DiSanti

Rachel Fabros

Strategy & Business Development Associate Liza Gaylord

Sr. Production Accountant

Sr. Technical Support Engineer

Retail Technology Analyst

Sr. Accounting Associate

David Kim

Showkat Mahmud

Andy Ng

Gemma Elepano

Sr. Accounting Associate ................... Olufunke Modupe-Adenaike

People & Culture

Director, Opportunity & Inclusion

Director, People & Culture

Manager, People & Culture

Elena Chang

Anthony C. Perry

Ariel Stein Orzata

Specialist, People & Culture Kyle Barry

Administrative Staff

Gianna Adams, Micah Akilah, Aleks Angelico, Jack Batty, Connor Brockmeier, Kiara Brown-Clark, James Bruenger-Arreguin, Jake Catsaros, Chloe Chow, Carrie DeGraw, Annalisa Deseno, Jacqueline Godfrey, Cassandra Hess, Julia Iorio, Lauren Katz, Kasey Kopp, Jenna Ng Lowry, Ingrid Matias, Emma McGahan, Cullen Motak, Hannah Pearson, Vincent Pendarvis II, Marysa Pratico, Johnny Quevedo, Simon Rosales, Bri Silva, Caroleen Teboul, Jessica Walters

Disney Theatrical Group dtg.guestservices@disney.com

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE History

Playhouse Square Education Department

Since its inception in 1998, the Playhouse Square Education Department has remained committed to including the widest possible audience through streaming initiatives, sensory-friendly performances and its social justice series. The department is unique in the performing arts industry for the variety of programs it offers, the partnerships it initiates and the access it provides students, educators and aspiring artists to performing arts professionals. The Education Department oversees The Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman, Disney Musicals in Schools presented by Dee and Jimmy Haslam, as well as school matinee performances, Children’s Theater Series and Family Theater Day. The department also manages the free Broadway Buzz pre-show talks that are held before most KeyBank Broadway Series performances. For more than 25 years, the Education Department has offered thousands of events, workshops and classes — most with minimal or no fees thanks to the generosity of our donors — and its nationally recognized performances and arts education programming have impacted hundreds of thousands of people in Cleveland and around the world, as they have enriched individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and means.

The Playhouse Square Chandelier

The Playhouse Square Chandelier at the intersection of E. 14th and Euclid Ave. is the largest outdoor chandelier in North America with 4200 crystals. The Chandelier is generously presented by GE Lighting, a Savant company.

A Change in History?

One of many fascinating items to be found in the book Playhouse Square: An Entertaining History deals with the infamous John Wilkes Booth. Booth performed locally at the old Academy of Music, which was one of the first drama schools in the country and was located at 1371 W. 6th Street. It was at that Cleveland Academy where he would play his last role prior to performing at Washington D.C.’s Ford Theatre where he would assassinate President Lincoln. (Might history have been changed if the Academy had held over Booth’s play for an extended run?)

There Goes the Neighborhood!

The 1870s ushered in the golden age for Euclid Avenue — known as Millionaire’s Row — as the street became a stretch of grand mansions, with grounds often extending as far as Lake Erie, and stately elm trees arching over the avenue.

But by Cleveland’s Centennial in 1896, Euclid Avenue residents were likely muttering, Well, there goes the neighborhood! as the dirt street was paved with sandstone, and businessmen began to buy up and tear down the mansions and towering elms to make way for commercial ventures.

Streetcar lines on the once totally residential stretch hastened the creation of a commercial district, forcing wealthy families to move even farther east on Euclid Avenue. In another 30 years, the district would see the birth of the five main theaters that would eventually become Playhouse Square.

Basketball on the KeyBank State stage?

The stage of the KeyBank State Theatre is so large that a typical high school gymnasium (complete with basketball court and bleachers) could easily fit on stage. As another point of comparison, three of the Mimi Ohio Theatre stages could fit onto the State’s stage.

The Mural Above the Fireplace

Above the fireplace at the rear of the KeyBank State Theatre auditorium, an original mural hangs despite its near-tragic loss. Removed from the wall in the early 1970s prior to the scheduled demolition of the venue, the mural eventually turned up in the basement of a piano store and was repurchased by Playhouse Square for $200.

The recovered mural was badly torn, having originally been painted on burlap then glued to the wall. The challenge of restoring the artwork fell to the Theater District’s Bonfoey Company. Artisans sanded the glue from the burlap and attached the cleaned mural to canvas via beeswax.

The next step was to clean and restore the work where needed. A stretcher for the canvas had to be custom-made. To eliminate tears and wrinkles, the stretcher was designed to expand and contract with the theater’s climactic changes and held together with springs (no nails or screws). It took Bonfoey employees 18 months to restore the painting at a cost of $8,500.

Although the creator of this mural is unknown, it is suspected to be Italian artist Sampitrotti, who had painted three murals for the original Mimi Ohio Theatre lobby. (Those murals were later destroyed in the Ohio’s 1964 lobby fire.)

World’s Longest Lobby Explained

In 1920 as the Loew’s chain anticipated building in the area that would come to be known as Playhouse Square, it was discovered there wasn’t sufficient room to build two theaters side by side in the available space.

Since it was important that the proposed theater marquees be located on Euclid Avenue, an architectural plan was devised. Even though the KeyBank State Theatre would be completed and open 21 months before the Connor Palace, it was decided to build the KeyBank State behind the Connor Palace. This led to the construction of the KeyBank State’s 320-foot-long lobby, reported to be the longest theater lobby in the world. The Mimi Ohio Theatre would then be built on the other side of the KeyBank State, giving all three theaters the desired Euclid Avenue marquee frontage.

What Would It Cost to Build Them Today?

Even though the Connor Palace is not the largest of the Playhouse Square venues, it was the most costly to build ($3.5 million) by the time it premiered on Nov. 6, 1922. The largest theater, the KeyBank State, (opened Feb. 5, 1921) was built at a cost of $2 million; the Mimi Ohio (Feb. 14, 1921) also cost $2 million, and the Allen’s costs totaled $1.9 million when it opened April 1, 1921. (Exact building costs for the Hanna Theatre — which opened March 28, 1921 — have yet to be uncovered.) In 1977, it was estimated that it would cost $75 million to recreate the Connor Palace.

A Phoenix from the Ashes

In 1964, the Mimi Ohio Theatre lobby and auditorium were destroyed by fire. When the fledgling Playhouse Square organization restored the spaces in 1982, funding and time constraints made it possible only for the auditorium to be fully restored. Thanks to a gift from the George Gund Foundation, the lobby was re-created in its original splendor in 2016. You can watch a documentary about the project, “Restoring the Legacy,” on Playhouse Square’s YouTube channel.

Re-Creating History

We call the completed Mimi Ohio Theatre George Gund Foundation Lobby project a “re-creation” rather than a restoration. Why? There was nothing left to restore after a 1964 fire destroyed the space. To reproduce the lobby’s original 1921

splendor, architects, restoration specialists and Playhouse Square staff conducted exhaustive research of the original drawings by architect Thomas Lamb, photo archives and a few remaining bits of ornamental plaster detail to gain a thorough understanding of the space and inform the plans for re-creating the lobby.

Broadway to Buildings

Where do the arts and real estate go hand-in-hand?

At Playhouse Square, of course! As the theaters began to be restored in the early 1980s, it was thought that developers would step in to build and open businesses around them. When that didn’t happen, Playhouse Square began to steward development of the surrounding neighborhood. In 1999, Playhouse Square became the first performing arts center with a real estate services division, which manages the more than 2.6 million square feet of property owned by the organization and another three million square feet outside the theater district. Other performing arts centers have since looked to our expertise as a model.

YPs Take the Lead

Best known as the masterminds behind the annual Jump Back Ball benefit, Playhouse Square’s young professionals group – Partners – was formed in 1991. Since then, hundreds of young professionals engage with Playhouse Square each year to build leadership skills, raise funds and volunteer in support of our not-for-profit mission, enjoy shows together, network and have fun!

Keeping Up the KeyBank State Theatre

First restored more than 30 years ago, the KeyBank State Theatre was repainted from the street to the proscenium in 2015. The new, cohesive color palette showcases the beauty and craftsmanship of the nearly 100-year-old theater. It took 25 painters 12,500 hours and 595 gallons of paint in 15 different colors to complete the project, which also included 6000 sheets of new metal leafing in the auditorium dome and the application of a historically accurate wall-covering design. While the theater was dark, its lighting fixtures and restrooms received major upgrades.

What’s in a Logo?

The Playhouse Square logo we use today — a tilted burgundy square with a capital P in its cen-

ter — was introduced in 2008 to capture the enduring spirit of entertainment and excitement. Each of the logo’s graphic elements has meaning: the exclamation point with a star in the “P” symbolizes excitement and innovation; the swirl in the “P” represents creativity and forward motion; the tilted square symbolizes Playhouse Square as a destination; and the burgundy color gives nod to the color scheme of our historic theaters.

Going Green

While red is the color most often associated with theaters, Playhouse Square is making efforts to go “green.” You will find receptacles for recycling paper, plastic and cans throughout the complex. Lighting fixtures are being switched to LED for increased energy efficiency. And the Playhouse Square administrative office is making strides towards going paperless.

The ”Blue Urn”

On the mezzanine level of the Connor Palace lobby, you’ll find a cobalt blue urn sitting on a marble base. The urn, weighing 325 pounds, was made in Sevres, France before WWI. It is said that its twin resides in the Louvre Museum.

The Show That Saved Playhouse Square

After seeing a performance of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at Cleveland State University, Ray Shepardson — the man who was the driving force behind the saving of Playhouse Square’s theaters — decided to stage the show in the KeyBank State Theatre lobby for three weeks. Clevelanders flocked to the performances and the show’s run extended to more than two years, proving that audiences would return to Playhouse Square and to downtown.

In Residence

Playhouse Square is proud to be the home of eight resident companies: The City Club of Cleveland, Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland International Film Festival, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland State University Department of Theatre and Dance, DANCECleveland, Great Lakes Theater and Tri-C JazzFest.

You Can Find Us on YouTube

There’s lots to see on the Playhouse Square YouTube channel: show content; interviews; videos about our education programs and what it’s like to be a RedCoat; documentaries about our history, the re-creation of the Mimi Ohio Gund Foundation Lobby, and our 2021 reopening ... and more!

A League of Our Own

Playhouse Square is a member of The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry. Formed in 1930, members include theater owners and operators, producers, presenters, general managers and suppliers throughout North America.

Marquees on Display

The Playhouse Square District is shining brighter than ever before with our magnificent marquees and outdoor digital signage. The marquees’ designs were inspired by each historic theater with the ceiling of each marquee capturing ele-

ments from the grand ceiling of its respective theater. The marquees are equipped with localized sound to welcome audiences with thematic soundtracks, as well as sustainable, energy-efficient LED lighting that can complement shows, holidays and other themes. Guests can catch the Marquee Moment presented by GE Lighting, a Savant company, every night before entering and leaving their performances at the theaters.

Officially Historic

In 1978, Playhouse Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of U.S. historic sites worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Patterns in Plaster

As you walk through the theaters, you may notice various patterns within the plaster decoration. Common are dentil, lamb tongue, rope and rosettes. Other patterns you may see have been associated with certain meanings since they were first used hundreds or even thousands of years ago, such as the acanthus leaf (immortality), egg and dart (life and death), and the palm leaf, first used in ancient Egypt as a reference to the Nile River. In the KeyBank State Theatre, if you look closely and carefully, you can find ox skulls, which were believed to offer protection from natural elements. And throughout the theaters, you will find griffins, mythical creatures thought of as guardians.

What Were They Watching?

When Playhouse Square’s historic theaters first opened, popular forms of entertainment included vaudeville and silent films. A vaudeville show would feature a variety of acts including burlesque, comedy, and song and dance. Silent films were accompanied by live music, usually played on an organ, that would accentuate and punctuate the action on screen.

Roman Rotunda

The design for the Allen Theatre’s rotunda was inspired by the Villa Madama near Rome.

Commissioned by Cardinal de’ Medici, the Villa was created by Raphael and Giovanni da Udine. The direct influence of the Villa Madama can be found in the rotunda’s paintings and color palette, as well as the original floor plan for the theater and lobby.

Seating Styles to Suit

The Hanna Theatre features seven different styles of seating, though none is ever more than 13 rows from the action. You can choose from traditional theater seating in the orchestra or balcony, club chairs, banquettes, bar stools, lounge seating and historic or balcony boxes.

A Curtain with History

It is has long been common practice for touring shows and performers to leave their mark backstage: some sign walls, some sign posters to be hung by theater staff and crew, and some attach t-shirts or posters, create drawings or sign onto the theater curtain itself. From its opening in 1921 through the 1980s, hundreds of such t-shirts, drawings and signatures accumulated on the Hanna Theatre curtain, now housed in the Special Collections Department of the Cleveland State University library.

The Power of Three

The Power of Three: The Allen Theatre Project brought Cleveland Play House, Cleveland State University and Playhouse Square together as partners to reconfigure the Allen Theatre, build the Outcalt Theatre and The Helen, and create a new pedestrian walkway from the Playhouse Square parking garage to the theaters. This partnership would bring Cleveland Play House and Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance to Playhouse Square as resident companies.

Young STARS Shine At Playhouse Square

You might see volunteer RedCoats from time to time who look like they’re not old enough to vote — and they aren’t. These youths are part of the successful STARS (Students Take A Role at the Square) program, where older students volunteer to usher at Broadway Series shows, concerts and other special events at the theaters. While the STARS program can be interesting and fun for all students, it becomes a

particularly invaluable opportunity to gain experience and behind-the-scenes knowledge for those students who are planning future careers in the performing arts.

The KeyBank State Theatre Murals

The four murals on the walls of the KeyBank State Theatre lobby were painted by American Modernist James Daugherty (1890-1974), whose work hangs in the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum and the Smithsonian. One of the murals, The Spirit of Cinema, was featured on the cover of Life magazine on February 20, 1970. It was that national attention that became the convincing argument to save the venue from the wrecking ball. Destruction of the State would also have meant the loss of the original historic Daugherty murals, since they are painted directly on the walls. Today they are the only Daugherty works which remain at the original site where they were painted.

Performers Help Restore Playhouse Square

During her 1996 run of Kiss of the Spider Woman, legendary Broadway star Chita Rivera was given a guided tour of Playhouse Square. As she followed her tour guide into the State auditorium, an excited Chita pointed to the mezzanine railing and proudly exclaimed, I helped paint that! Indeed, she had. In 1984, Chita had last played Playhouse Square when much restoration remained, and during her free time willingly added her brush strokes to the history of the State. Likewise, Mary Travers of Peter, Paul & Mary fame also performed at the KeyBank State Theatre several times during its early restoration. She became so enthusiastic over the restoration process that she would climb the scaffolding and help paint the ceiling. Like Chita, on a return visit, Mary pointed out the ceiling area that she had helped paint (justabove-and-to-the-left of the Men’s Room doorway on the mezzanine).

Building Cleveland

The original builder of the Allen and Hanna Theatres — John Gill & Sons Co. — also built Judson Manor (known then as Wade Park Manor), the Federal Reserve Bank and the Terminal Tower.

GUEST SERVICES Playhouse Square

Guest Assistance

For questions or service that may provide a quality, entertaining experience, please see the House Manager on duty. A RedCoat usher can direct you to their office location.

Smoking Policy

Smoking, including electronic smoking or “vaping,” is not permitted indoors at Playhouse Square.

We Love Hearing From Our Guests

Your feedback is important. For matters that are not immediate or for additional questions you may have, please access our online comment form at playhousesquare.org/contact-us. We read and share all comments with the staff and meet often to discuss how we can improve upon your experience at Playhouse Square.

Beware of Ticket Scalpers

Buy your tickets ONLY from the Playhouse Square Ticket Office, at playhousesquare.org, by

Thank You

phone at 216-241-6000 or your licensed group/ travel leader. (We cannot guarantee validity or admittance for tickets purchased elsewhere, nor can we issue replacement tickets if they are lost or stolen). Help us keep ticket prices affordable and fair for everyone.

Photography and Recording

Taking photos and recording audio and/or video of the performance are strictly prohibited.

Mobile Devices

The experience of a live performance can be ruined by the interruption of ringtones, vibrating phones or conversation. The magic of a darkened theater can be disrupted by the light of someone text messaging as well. Please be considerate to others and remember to turn off your cell phone for the duration of the show.

Follow Us!

Follow Playhouse Square on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter) and YouTube.

Playhouse Square gratefully acknowledges the people of Cuyahoga County for their historical support to theater restoration, upkeep and programming, as well as through their ongoing contributions through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.