Patrick R. Brown opens as Scar in The Lion King on Broadway, January 16 2012

[tim10086]

Posted: 1/16/12 at 12:15pm

Hey everyone!

Let me welcome the amazing Patrick R. Brown on his Broadway debut as Scar in Disney's The Lion King, 2pm today at the Minskoff.

Y'all now have a new reason to see the show. This cat is FIERCE. Get there over the next year (or beyond!) to see what this epic Canadian actor can do.

Happy MLK day

Updated On: 1/16/12 at 12:15 PM

[Justin D]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 7:52am

I'm glad to see that they are atleast trying (even though barely) to keep the show fresh with bringing in new cast members. The problem with shows like this that are successful and running forever is they tend not to change cast too often. Some in the company have been there forever. It is great that they have a steady job and all, but as one of the few fans of the show on here, I probably wont go back to see it again until there are major cast changes, no point going to see the same people over and over, and unlike some other long running shows that I am into, they dont have any cheap-o tickets.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 11:18am

What exciting news. I'm surprised the Times didn't feature it on the front page. I really can't imagine why more people aren't talking about the 467th actor to play a supporting role in an endlessly-running stage cartoon...

[tim10086]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 12:19pm

Wow, the days must be long when you live like you do.

It's my friend's Broadway debut in the principal (top billing, more stage time than any other character) role which has been played by maybe five or six other actors in New York.

Maybe, just maybe, he really deserves to have this recognised.
MAYBE he's a terrific guy (I can tell you, he is).

Maybe you are as well.

[Justin D]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 12:51pm

and to be fair, yes Lion King is seen as an ensemble show, but Scar certainly is NOT what you would consider a supporting role, afterall he is one of the very few characters that is there right through the show. And there have not been an endless stream of actors playing the role over the years either.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 1:14pm

That's nice. But Scar is a supporting role. And, despite your commendable and faithful friendship, replacements in the 15th year of a show that has multiple productions and tours just aren't news.

No one is saying you can't shill for your pal; but getting snarky when you get called out for it isn't attractive either.

Updated On: 1/17/12 at 01:14 PM

[tim10086]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 1:22pm

Great, thanks! Have a cool day.

Updated On: 1/17/12 at 01:22 PM

[addicted]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 1:35pm

Newintown - seriously get over yourself. There was absolutely no point in your message other than to knock someone - if you don't think it's news, don't read it.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 1:39pm

addicted - take your own advice?

[wonkit]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 9:25pm

tim - please give Patrick my best wishes. It is still a Broadway debut, and definitely something to be immensely proud and excited about!

[misto625]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 10:29pm

I don't think the original poster's intention was to bemoan any lack of coverage, but simply to state his friend is playing Scar. Any casting change in a Broadway show is Broadway news, whether one considers it to be news or not. (And if you don't consider it news, why bother reading the thread?) It's great to see a new face in the show, in a role which is considered featured, but really is a principal role.

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 10:35pm

Tim - tell your friend congratulations! Broadway debuts are huge accomplishments for any individual regardless of how major the role is. I don't think anyone suggested this should be front page NYT news. This is a site to discuss theatre and this is far more relevant that many threads that pop up here. Thanks for the announcement. Nothing wrong with "shilling" for a friend.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/17/12 at 11:05pm

Scar is actually the largest role in the show. Definitely not a featured role.

[Overkill]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 12:30am

newintown - Super ****y, no?

Congrats to your friend, I'm sure he must be great! Just because it's not Hugh Jackman taking over, it doesn't make it any less worth reporting.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 9:45am

"newintown - Super ****y, no?"

I think just regular, not super.

I get annoyed by the shill posts here, I confess. If you must hype your own friends and projects, it means no one else is doing it.

Real praise comes from strangers. Anyone can claim that they (or their friends) are terrific - that kind of hype is ultimately as meaningless as your mother telling the neighbors how great her little baby is.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 10:33am

Actually, it's not the same at all. One is a compliment. The other is showing support. Regardless, announcing someone is starting a role on Broadway on this board, no matter who the actor may be, who knows them, or how long the show has been open, is entirely relevant. It's a gesture of enthusiasm and kindness. And if being newsworthy was a criteria for posting on this board, it would be mostly empty. I don't know who Patrick R. Brown is, but I'm sure he must be thrilled at this opportunity and it must be nice to have a friend showing support. The fact that newintown doesn't know who this actor is and feels the need to insult him and his friends must mean that the announcement has caught his attention and provoked the expected snarky (and thus, unattractive) response. By contributing to the thread, he has drawn more attention to it, so congratulations!

[newintown]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 10:40am

That's your opinion, Matt, and based on your enormously and offensively mistaken accusation that I "insulted" Brown (I haven't said anything qualitative about Brown at all - it would be impossible, since I not only have never seen him perform, I've never even heard of him), an opinion that may very well also be in error.

But then, you've always been a bit of a real insulter of others here, haven't you? Do you feel that your territory has been violated?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 10:42am

I haven't seen this in too long!! I think it's time to revisit!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 10:53am

You don't have to say something qualitative to be insulting. But I assume you know that. A creative excuse, but not a good one. But keep up the responses! It helps drive the thread and the wonderful supportive announcement to the top. I'm sure you can find more ways to ruin a nice gesture for no logical reason. Why don't you just say, "Hey, I'm just keeping it real"? That sincerity is always so greatly appreciated.

[newintown]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 11:07am

As non sequitur non-replies go, yours isn't a bad one, Matt.

[tim10086]

Posted: 1/18/12 at 1:15pm

Thank you to all the kind folks who have shown their support! During this visit to NYC I've had nothing but positive responses to this news (except for newintown.)


Oh...and other people ARE talking about it, newintown, you sweet guy! Love and smiles to ya. We should have a coffee before I leave NYC in March. I'll invite Patrick if you like?

Tim

https://playbill.com/news/article/158639-Patrick-R-Brown-Is-New-Scar-in-Broadways-Lion-King-Beginning-Jan-16

https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/01-2012/patrick-k-brown-to-join-broadways-the-lion-king_48197.htmlhttps://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/01-2012/patrick-k-brown-to-join-broadways-the-lion-king_48197.html

https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/01-2012/patrick-k-brown-to-join-broadways-the-lion-king_48197.htmlhttps://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/01-2012/patrick-k-brown-to-join-broadways-the-lion-king_48197.html

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Patrick-R-Brown-Joins-Cast-of-THE-LION-KING-as-Scar-20120116

https://www.broadway.com/shows/the-lion-king/buzz/159416/patrick-r-brown-shakes-up-the-monarchy-as-the-lion-kings-new-scar/