Las Vegas Weekly

July 12, 2010 · 2:36 PM

Photos: The Lion King celebrates anniversary on the road in L.A.

By Robin Leach

Cast members of Disney's The Lion King celebrate Lion King Day with a performance at The Grove in Los Angeles on July 9, 2010.

Photo: Charlie Gallay/WireImage

To celebrate and promote its first anniversary, the cast of Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay took their show on the road. More than 3,000 fans were at The Grove in Los Angeles to salute the performers of the only permanent West Coast production of the Broadway extravaganza.

The cast, who put on a performance, included principals Kissy Simmons (Nala), Buyi Zama (Rafiki) and Jelani Remy (Simba), who were joined by L.A.’s Fame Choir. Adults and children packed the shopping district and sang along to favorites including “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Shadowland.” The daylong celebration also let guests create their own TLK-inspired masks with Ann Closs-Farley Designs.

Jelani told fans that he feels a parallel between his role and his own life experience. At 22, he is the youngest principal cast member outside “the cubs.” “Like Simba, I was thrown into a new world -- Las Vegas -- when I accepted this role, and had to find a new family. Instead of Timon and Pumbaa, it was cast members of The Lion King who embraced me, allowing me to grow up with them and blossom into the person I am today.”

In discussing the production’s South African roots, native Buyi said, “It’s amazing to be in America, yet be onstage speaking my native tongue. It makes me feel at home every night. The Lion King is a tribute to the soul of South Africa -- its spirituality, music and people.”

Kissy said, “The Lion King is the embodiment of Africa coming to life in Las Vegas. Because we have so many South African cast members, the energy comes across as authentic. The audience may not always understand what Rafiki is saying, but the emotion transcends all languages. It speaks volumes."

TLK is performed at Mandalay Bay on Mondays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday shows at 4 and 8 p.m. There are no Friday performances.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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