Broadway performers Thom Sesma, Alton Fitzgerald White and Kissy Simmons are joining The Lion King cast for the upcoming production in Las Vegas. The production will begin previews on May 5 at Mandalay Bay Theatre, with May 15 scheduled as the official opening. The production in Las Vegas will be joining seven other productions of The Lion King that are currently playing worldwide, including in Fukuoka, Tokyo, Paris, Hamburg, London and New York as well as the national tour of North America.

Thom Sesma, who will be playing Scar, has had Broadway appearances in La Cage Aux Folles, The man of La Mancha and The Times They Are A-Changin, along a Titanic national tour. Alton Fitzgerald White, who will be playing Mufasa appeared in the Broadway company of The Lion King as well as the national tour. Other Broadway credits for White include, Miss Saigon, The Color Purple, Tommy and Ragtime. Kissy Simmons, who will playing the lioness Nala, is coming from the Broadway company and has also performed on the national tour.

Also featured in The Lion King will be Damian Baldet playing Timon, Keith Bennett playing Banzai, Jacquie Hodges playing Shenzi, Patrick Kerr playing Zazu, Adam Kozlowski playing Pumbaa, Clifton Oliver playing Simba, Robbie Swift playing Ed, Marvette Williams playing Sarabi, and Rafiki played by Buyi Zama. The Young Simba role with alternate between Elijah Johnson and Duane Ervin. The Young Nala role ill alternate between Jade Nelson and Ruby Crawford.

The Las Vegas Company will feature an international cast with performers who have been in The Lion King productions all over the world, including Holland, Paris, Shanghai, Toronto, Australia, Los Angeles, London, South Africa, Taipei, and New York. There are nine natives of South Africa in the cast and three of the ensemble members are from Los Vegas.

The Lion King from Disney is in its 12th year currently and has won six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical.