Dashaun Young Returns as Simba in Broadway’s The Lion King

Dashaun Young returns as the King of Pride Rock in Broadway’s The Lion King beginning May 16. Young will assume the role from current Simba, Adam Jacobs, who is taking a brief hiatus but plans to return to the Tony-winning production on June 26. Young has previously played the role of Simba on Broadway, in the North American tour and most recently in Las Vegas.

Aside from The Lion King, Young’s credits include the first national tour of Hairspray, Legends, The Scottsboro Boys, Emerald Man, Hello, Dolly!, Aida and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He also appeared on film in Sex and the City 2.

Based on the popular Disney film, The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theater, before transferring to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006. Now in its 15th year, the show has spawned 19 productions around the world and has been translated into seven different languages. The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.

Young joins current cast members Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon and Chauntee Schuler as Nala.