Adam Jacobs Heads to Pride Rock as The Lion King's New Simba

After flying on a magic carpet as the title character in the Seattle launch of Disney's Aladdin, Adam Jacobs is heading to Broadway in another musical from the mouse house. Jacobs will assume the starring role of Simba in The Lion King, a part he previously played on tour, beginning August 30 at the Minskoff Theatre. Clifton Oliver played his final performance on August 26.

Jacobs has previously appeared on Broadway in Les Miserables and toured with Mamma Mia! and Cinderella. His star turn in the Casey Nicholaw-directed world premiere of Aladdin at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre ran from July 7 through July 31.

The Lion King currently stars Gareth Saxe as Scar, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rifiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon and Chauntee Schuler as Nala.

Based on the 1994 animated film of the same name, The Lion King opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997, at the New Amsterdam Theatre before transferring to the Minskoff in 2006. The show earned six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.