“The Lion King” has revealed two incoming principal actors. Austin Elle Fisher and Jacob Pham will step into the roles of Young Nala and Young Simba, respectively, beginning on Aug. 20 at the Minskoff Theatre. Fisher will succeed Nia Thompson and Pham will take over for Ezekiel Kekuna, both of whom will exit the reproduction on Aug. 18. Fisher and Pham will alternate in their roles with current cast members Annika Reese Franklin and Albert Rhodes Jr., respectively.
Fisher first appeared on Broadway in 2022, playing Natalie Hillard in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Later the same year she played Marta von Trapp in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “The Sound of Music.”
“The Lion King” will mark the Broadway debut of Pham, who was a swing in Center Theatre Group’s 2023 production of “A Christmas Story.” Pham also appeared on “Sesame Street.”
The current principal company of “The Lion King” includes Fred Berman as Timon, James Brown-Orleans as Bonzai, Stephen Carlile as Scar, Bonita J. Hamilton as Shenzi, Vincent Jamal Hooper as Simba, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Pearl Khwezi as Nala, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Robb Sapp as Ed and L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa. Casting is by ARC Casting/Marc Brandon.
Based on the 1994 film of the same name, “The Lion King” opened on Broadway on Nov. 13, 1997. The 1998 Best Musical Tony Award winner is the third-longest-running show in Broadway history.
“The Lion King” is produced by Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher.
