Adam Jacobs Announces Hiatus from THE LION KING; Dashaun Young to Return

THE LION KING will welcome Dashaun Young back to Broadway as Simba, beginning performances Wednesday, May 16. Young has previously played the role of Simba on Broadway, North American tour, and most recently in the Las Vegas company.

Broadway’s current Simba, Adam Jacobs, will take a brief hiatus, returning to the show June 26. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, THE LION KING is playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit online, LionKing.com.

In addition to The Lion King, Young has appeared in New York and on tour in: Hairspray (first national tour), Legends (NY premiere), The Scottsboro Boys (reading), Emerald Man (workshop). His regional credits include: Hairspray; Hello, Dolly!; Aida; and Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He appeared in the film Sex and the City 2 and received training at California State University, Fullerton.

The Broadway cast of THE LION KING also features PATRICK R. Brown as the sardonic and deviously cunning Scar, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands, and Tshidi Manye as the wise baboon shaman Rafiki. Cameron Pow portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird Zazu, Ben Jeffrey is the carefree warthog Pumbaa, Fred Berman is the wisecracking meerkat Timon, and Chaunteé Schuler is the loyal lioness Nala.

The three evil hyenas are played by James Brown-ORLEANS (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi) and Enrique Segura (Ed). The role of Young Simba is alternated between Judah Bellamy and Niles Fitch and the role of Young Nala is alternated between Nia Ashleigh and Imani Dia Smith.