The Cheetah cast was the first cast I ever saw put on TLK:TM. I put this up as a record of an amazing ensamble.

Read below to learn more!

*Did you know every Lion King cast contains South African actors? Lebo M. himself

South African, felt it was an important link to the shows roots, and an outlet

for aspiring South African theater actors.

LARRY YANDO (Scar). Regional credits: Defiant Theatre: Titus; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre: The Tempest, Henry IV, Timon of Athens; Steppenwolf: Mother Courage; Writers Theatre: Nixon's Nixon, Rocket to the Moon... Other lead roles: An Ideal Husband, Travels With My Aunt, Travesties, (Court Theatre); Amadeus, Arcadia, Angels in America, (Milwaukee Rep); Kiss of the Spider Woman, (Pegasus Players); Eleanor: An American Love Story, (Marriott Lincoln-shire); Best Actor 2000-Chicago Magazine; Faculty; The Theatre School.

RUFUS BONDS, JR. (Mufasa) comes to The Lion King from the Los Angeles company recreating his role of Mufasa. Mr. Bonds' performance as Jim, in the Deaf West production of Big River at the Mark Taper Forum, was honored with great critical acclaim. Broadway credits include Rent, Once on this Island, and Parade for which he won the nominations for the Drama Desk and FANY Award. "GOD IS"

GUGWANA DLAMINI (Rafiki). Born in Durban, South Africa. Trained at Committed Artists School of Music, Acting and Dance, South Africa. Most recently played Rafiki in the London production of The Lion King; London original company member. Other theatre credits include: Sarafina; Township Fever; Godspell; Magic at 4am. Film: Sarafina. Video: Malowe (Bayete); Feel Irie (Lucky Dube). Soundtracks: The Lion King; Dinosaur; Rhythm of the Pride Lands. Other: Ipi Nthombi; Montreaux Jazz Festival, performing with Lebo M. Performed and recorded with Lucky Dube; Bayete; Vusi Mahlasela; Johnny Clegg & Juluka; Jimmy Dludlu.

DAMIAN BALDET (Timon)
DEREK HASENSTAB (Zazu)
PHIL FIORINI (Pumbaa)
WALLACE SMITH (Simba)
TA'REA CAMPBELL (Nala)
MELVIN ABSTON (Banzai)
SHAULLANDA LACOMBE (Shenzi)
ROBBIE SWIFT (Ed)
KHALEEL MANDEL CARTER (Young Simba at certain performances)
MICHAEL NINO LOCKE, JR. (Young Simba at certain performances)
JANAE NICOLE JACKSON (Young Nala at certain performances)
MILAN BARNES-SHUFORD (Young Nala at certain performances)
SANT'GRIA BELLO (Ensemble)
JOSEPH COX (Ensemble)
KELLI DAVID-LOW (Ensemble)
NTOMB'KHONA DLAMINI (Ensemble, u/s Rafiki)
ROBERTO DOS SANTOS (Ensemble)
FELICIANO GONZALES (Swing)
CHARLES GRAY (Ensemble, u/s Scar, Mufasa)
KEHINDE B. HART (Ensemble, u/s Simba)
SHAMEIKA HINES (Swing)
KENNY INGRAM (Swing, u/s Banzai, Ed)
TAMARA MERRITT IRVING (Ensemble, u/s Sarabi)
HANIFA L. JACKSON (Ensemble)
ANDREA JONES (Ensemble, u/s Shenzi)
MARK DAVID KAPLAN (Timon/Pumbaa/Zazu Stand-By)
TODD M. KRYGER (Ensemble, u/s Mufasa)
NQOBILE MBANJWA (Ensemble)
WILLIA-NOEL MONTAGUE (Ensemble)
KENDRA MOORE (Ensemble)
THABILE MTSHALI (Ensemble, u/s Rafiki)
JINDRA PAYNE (Ensemble)
JACQUELINE RENE (Ensemble, u/s Nala)
JOHN RENSENHOUSE (Scar/Pumbaa Stand-By)
SHANE SCOTT (Ensemble)
TUEREE SHARD (Ensemble)
LUBABALO SIBINDLANA (Ensemble)
JOSE SILVA (Swing)
LATAMRA SMITH (Swing, u/s Nala, Shenzi, Sarabi)
VUSI SONDIYAZI (Ensemble, u/s Simba)
MARIAMA WHYTE (Ensemble, u/s Shenzi)
MARVETTE WILLIAMS (Sarabi, Ensemble, u/s Nala)
NICHELLE WRIGHT (Ensemble)
DEANAR ALI YOUNG (Swing)