WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST TIFFANY DENISE HOBBS (Shenzi) is over the moon to be in The Lion King family! Regional credits: The C. A. Lyons Project, Stagger Lee, Much Ado About Nothing, SPUNK, Race, Clybourne Park, A Raisin in the Sun, Cabaret, A Christmas Carol. Film: “Dallas Buyers Club.” TV: “Code Black.” MFA Acting: SMU. She sends never-ending love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, April, Reginald, Auntie Earnestine, Russell, and her amazing friends. ROBBIE SWIFT (Ed/Understudy Pumbaa, Timon & Zazu) is honored and excited to return to the The Lion King family. Stage credits include Snoopy!, Rumbles, One Red Flower, Water Children, Our Town, Godspell, etc. Film/Television: On The Run (Hyperboy), “Fastlane” (Fox), “Urban Graffiti” (Fox), “Scrubs” (NBC), etc. Many thanks to God, Mom, Dad, The Starting Five, Family and Friends. Special thanks to Barry, Karen and Lois Yvonne. Robbie is a proud member of AEA, SAG and ASCAP. I dedicate this show to my beautiful wife, Lisa. You are my heart, my life, and my inspiration. Thanks for marrying me. GRIER BURKE (Young Nala at certain performances). Grier is overjoyed to join The Lion King production as the first Young Nala cast from Chicago! A nine year old straight A student, Grier is thrilled to have this goal realized! Each performance is dedicated to her big brother William (her acting inspiration) and her parents. Special thanks: Gray Talent Group, Merit School of Music, Your True Voice Studio, and Ms. Webb. MEILANI CISNEROS (Young Nala at certain performances) is excited to be joining The Lion King cast. This marks her professional acting debut. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her along the way, most importantly, she is grateful to God for giving her this wonderful opportunity and for blessing her with such amazing family, friends, teachers and mentors. DEVIN GRAVES (Young Simba at certain performances). Devin is a 10 year old student from Harlem, New York. He can’t wait to play Young Simba! Devin enjoys playing the violin, baseball, and taking voice and dance classes at Harlem
School of the Arts. Devin thanks his teachers Aubrey Lynch II and Yolanda Wyns for always supporting him. He also thanks his family and friends for their love. JORDAN WILLIAMS (Young Simba at certain performances). Jordan is thrilled to be making his professional acting debut as “Young Simba.” A 12 year old, Rahway, NJ resident, he is also an honor student, athlete and musician. Jordan thanks his parents, family, friends and teachers for love, inspiration and support. He thanks God for blessing him with all opportunities and the Prestige Management team for believing in him. SANDY ALVAREZ (Ensemble) Broadway/ National Tours: The Lion King and In The Heights. Regional: H2$ and In The Heights at Walnut Street Theatre. Recipient of two NAACP Image Awards for “Best Choreography in a Musical” for his work in Ephraim’s Song (’03) and Black Olive (’04). Love to mi familia especially Nicole and Bella-Grace. ANDREW ARRINGTON (Swing/Understudy Banzai and Ed). Regional premiere of Kander & Ebb’s Scottsboro Boys. The Lion King Las Vegas. Nat’l tours: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. New York: Showboat (Carnegie Hall), Godspell (workshop), Disney’s High School Musical 2, Respect (NYSAF). TV: CBS “My Broadway Debut.” University of Michigan IZELL O. BLUNT (Swing/Dance Captain/ Understudy Banzai). From Jacksonville, Florida, Izell holds a B.F.A. in dance from SMU and has performed in the Broadway, national tour, and Las Vegas productions of The Lion King. Izell has performed with Cirque du Soleil in their “One Drop” event and also was an associate choreographer for the major motion picture entitled The Thief. RUSSELL JOEL BROWN (Ensemble/ Understudy Mufasa). Morehouse College graduate Professional credits: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (first national, Japan), The Scarlet Pimpernel (first national), The Lion King (Cheetah tour, Mexico, Taiwan); Big River (Goodspeed; Best Actor: Connecticut Critics Circle).
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