The Lion King

Southern California’s own Dashaun Young is joining the cast of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

Young, who studied theater at Cal State Fullerton, will step into the role of the grown-up Simba on June 16. He comes to Las Vegas after playing the future king of Pride Rock on Broadway for three years.

“I’m super excited,” Young told the Las Vegas Travel Guide. “I’ve never done a show in Vegas, so I don’t really know what to expect. But so many of my friends and family who haven’t been able to make it to New York will finally be able to see it, so it’s going to be great.”

Young got his big break with the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” in New York. He has appeared in the national tour of “Hairspray” and many other productions.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, “The Lion King” is one of the most popular stage shows ever, seen by more than 50 million people worldwide. It has won more than 70 major awards, including the Tony for Best Musical and the Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

If you have a seat in the back of the house at the Mandalay Bay Theatre, keep your eyes open. Simba doesn’t appear until late in Act One, giving Young an opportunity to linger behind the soundboard during the opening number, “The Circle of Life,” in which the shaman baboon Rafiki presents the lion cub Simba to his future subjects.

“It’s kind of my way of getting into the vibe of what’s going on with the show and the audience,” Young said.

Also joining the cast will be Samantha Ware, the new Nala, and Phindile Mkhize in the role of Rafiki. The show closes in Las Vegas on Dec. 30, 2011.

-Anne Burke, Custom Publishing Writer