On the latest edition of “Listen In With KNN” host, founder and executive producer Kelsey Nicole Nelson welcomed cast members Darian Sanders and Khalifa White from the 70-time global theatrical award winning show, Disney’s Lion King The Musical. The show did a limited return engagement as part of the 2023 North American tour at the Opera House located at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. beginning on Thursday, June 22nd. The duo joined Nelson to discuss the behind-the-scenes action and the process of bringing the show to life. The musical first debuted in 1997 following the actual Disney movie that was released in 1994. The movie phenom created lots of anticipation for the musical and ‘90s kids like Nelson were looking forward to this first hand encounter.
Sanders, who plays Simba, is a trained musician since a young age with expertise singing and playing the trumpet which displays astonishingly in this role. His counterpart, White who plays Nala, has lengthy experience on and off Broadway which includes Caroline or Change, Little Shop of Horrors, School of Rock, Aida, Ain’t Misbehavin, The Bodyguard, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Dreamgirls, Beehive, and Hairspray. Nelson spoke with Sanders and White talk about all the things regarding the “circle of life,” specifically how this Disney musical has transformed their personal lives and careers during the conversation.
To start off the interview, Nelson asked Sanders and White about the energy of the D.C., audience and their favorite moments from the crowd interaction. “It was something about Sunday’s [opening night] crowd that gave us an extra jolt of something,” said Sanders as he responded to the impact of the fans’ interactions with Nelson. As for White, her favorite part of performing in the nation’s capital has been the orchestra! She said the orchestra “adds this color, this dimension, as an actor it aids in the storytelling.” By no surprise, the musical won a Grammy for the Best Musical Show album with having such a large orchestra to begin with. Overall, with having an interactive audience, an astounding orchestra, and a hardworking cast, results have been historic for the musical.
Nelson, being a storyteller herself, really enjoyed the aspect of diversity in the musical and asked White how important it is to show it to an audience. White, being a first generation Jamaican, was thrilled herself being a part of numerous casts that showed numerous cultures that helped again bring the Lion King story to reality. White discussed how the costumes really allowed cast members to be themselves and have their own identity. “Speaking of finding identity,” Nelson and White both believe in the biblical scripture “To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48),” which White dove further into saying that it means to be faithful to God, and to keep an open mind so she can be the best she can be in her work. But of course responsibility is key which comes along with success. “To keep me focused and to keep me grounded,” White said, speaking to her faith.
Beyond faith, the other element that drives the talented duo is impact. Sanders told his account of how he wants to have an impact on the future generations. “Don’t count yourself out of the game, don’t take yourself out of the game,” he said, piggybacking on White’s previous response to the question. Giving back to the community and uplifting others through his work has been one of his biggest strengths.
The Lion King musical has won a total of 70 major arts awards which includes the 1998 New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and a 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show album. The show is directed by Julie Taymor and continues to play a major role in the success of the musical through her lead on costume and mask designing. She is also the first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical. During the show, fans can expect to hear three new songs by Elton John and Tim Rice along with scores from the original movie which includes Academy Award winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and additional musical material by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer. Audiences can view the musical in nine different languages including English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese through a total of eight productions running across the world.
The two alongside the cast wanted to have a profound impact on the young Black youth that were watching the show. Sanders said, “I love going to schools and speaking while we are on tour. I love going to churches and leading worship and doing different things within the community.” It is important to Sanders to have an impact within the community because it pays off on the stage for the cast members. He continued saying, “Everything outside of the walls of the theater allows us to be our best inside the walls of the theater.” This cast works to make dreams come true all the while putting in extra work to be involved in the community. The cast wants to inspire the youth in the audience around the world and use their talents to show youth that they can be or do anything they strive to.
Disney’s “The Lion King Musical” had a six week stay at the Kennedy Center. You can catch “Listen in with KNN” weekly on FOX Sports Radio.
