Josh Tower has to stay forever in the Lion King.

[dingdang]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:16am

Over the past year, I have seen the Lion King nine times and I have seen Josh Tower as Simba nine times. He is by far one of the best actors on Broadway. His solo of Endless Night is incredible.

Some people say it doesnt matter who performs in the Lion King; people will go just to see the show. But that it is totally wrong. What makes the Lion King so great is the cast members and the current cast is probably one of the greatest casts, with Josh Tower leading the way.

Also, I dont understand why Scar has top billing, when the story revolves around Simba and Simba takes the final bow. I know that Scar has a few more lines than Simba, but so does the Phantom. However Phantom is the star in that show.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:35am

Hasn't he played Simba since at least Aug. 2003? That was my first time seeing the Lion King and he was there as Simba. That's some dedication!

[TLKfan]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:37am

Scar has a freakin heavy outfit to wear and he's in more scenes.

Yeah I've seen the show many times and it does matter who plays what. Trust me, I've seen the bad performers of TLK.

Josh Tower is probably my favorite Simba. I am hoping to see him again. I saw him a few years ago and then a year after that and it seems like he is growing and getting better at the part.

C'est tout.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:38am

I believe he left for a few months to do another show. He might as well stay for the 10th aniv. then leave if he wants. But yes, he's been there for a while and he was in the tour before that.

[atlsuperstar]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:48am

I have to agree that he is one of the best along with the orginal of course, I also saw him in the Easter Bonnet "Lion King" presentation...and he sung the hell out of there song. It's nice to see actors do other things, I had only seen him in "Lioin King" and "Once On This Island" and I truly saw two sides of his voice. I have heard that he and Kissy are about to leave soon, more of Kissy..she is leaving and they have worked together since the tour. So we will see! I enjoy Kissy also...but there replacements could be just as good. Brandy Massey from "Wicked" who also did it in London is up to replace Kissy. And the guy from the Gazelle tour is suppose to come in. When I get more, I will spill!

[TLKfan]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 12:56am

ah! SJ Hannah? I had heard Josh is going to stay for a while longer?? I am trying to get to NYC before he leaves, but I have school right now... I would like to see someone else as Nala because I've seen Kissy the last few times.

[misto625]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 2:20am

I have seen Josh and Kissy twice and I love them and if I find out they are leaving I will go to the New Amsterdam with a long length of rope and make sure they stay.

[Joshua488]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 2:35am

atlsuperstar, where did you hear that Brandi Chavonne Massey is up to replace Kissy Simmons as Nala?

It's good to hear that someone who has been in a role for that long has been able to keep it fresh and new. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about certain other men with leading roles in long-running Disney musicals.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 2:49am

You could try and drag them out of the New Amsterdam but they wouldn't be there.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 3:27am

lol. I was thinking the same thing...wrong theatre.

Jason, so sad...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 6:47am

"Also, I dont understand why Scar has top billing, when the story revolves around Simba and Simba takes the final bow. I know that Scar has a few more lines than Simba, but so does the Phantom. However Phantom is the star in that show. "

Scar receives top-billing because his role is significantly larger than Adult Simba's. Adult Simba only appears at the VERY end of Act 1. Scar is around the entire show, and does more singing. He's also got a lot more lines. The only reason Simba gets the last bow is because they didn't want the show's villain taking the final bow.

[dingdang]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 8:50am

Simba does more singing than Scar. Scar sings only "Be Prepared" and "You are so adored", both of which in my opinion are trivial songs.

Simba sings the more important songs such as "Hakuna Matata", "Can you feel the love tonight", "Endless Night", and "He Lives in You."

If you ask me, I say Simba (Josh Tower) is the star of the show.

[dingdang]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 10:17pm

The Simba and Scar importance still bothers me. In the Phantom of Opera, Christine Daae and Raoul have more lines and scenes than the Phantom, yet the Phantom is the star. However, the story revolves around Phantom, and it makes sense to have the Phantom to receive top billing.

In the case of the Lion King, the story is all about Simba. All of Act 2 is focused on Simba. Scar only shows up at the end of Act 2. Scar is basically non-existent in Act 2. Yet Scar receives the top billing. What were the producers thinking?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/3/06 at 10:19pm

That argument can also be made for the "Little Women" tour. It's Jo's story, yet Marmi (Maureen McGovern) got the final bow. I know she's a star, but still.

[jess20882]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 3:55pm

josh tower is HOT, enough said

and kissy simmons is an incredible nala - when she sings shadowland, i get chills. i'll be very sad to see her go, but the past several times i have seen the show she has been nala, and i'd be curious to see someone new tackle the role.

on a side note - no standing room at the minskoff??

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 10/4/06 at 6:33pm

i saw the show in April or May of 2003 and he was in it