Cleveland Native Robb Sapp Joins "The Lion King" at Playhouse Square This June

Broadway + NYC

Broadway

Off-Broadway

Off-Off Broadway

Cabaret

Dance

Opera

Classical Music

Eastern

Central

Western

West End

WEST END

UK Regional

International

Canada

Australia / New Zealand

Europe

Asia

Latin America

Africa / Middle East

Entertainment

TV/Movies

Music

The national tour will return to Cleveland this summer for a six-week engagement beginning this July.

POPULAR

Get all the top news & discounts for Cleveland & beyond.

Casting has been announced for the Cleveland engagement of Disney’s The Lion King , returning to Playhouse Square from Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, August 16, 2026. The official opening night will take place Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Get all the top news & discounts for Cleveland & beyond.

The production will star Peter Hargrave as Scar, David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa, Zama Magudulela as Rafiki, Nick Cordileone as Timon, Nick LaMedica as Zazu, Danny Grumich as Pumbaa, Gilbert Domally as Simba, and Thembelihle Cele as Nala. The cast also includes Forest VanDyke as Banzai, Martina Sykes as Shenzi, Robb Sapp as Ed, William John Austin as standby for Scar and Pumbaa, and Thom Christopher Warren as standby for Scar, Zazu, Timon, and Pumbaa.

Adding a hometown connection to the production, Cleveland native Robb Sapp will return to Playhouse Square in the role of Ed. Sapp has portrayed the character in the Broadway production of The Lion King since 2021 and previously appeared in the show’s Las Vegas production and North American tour. His additional Broadway credits include WICKED and SHREK .

The role of Young Simba will be alternated by Aaron Chao and Josiah Watson, while Journey Compas and Marley Gomes will alternate as Young Nala .

Additional cast members include Kayla Rose Aimable , Ellen Akashi , Aja Simone Baitey , Eric Bean Jr., Vernon Brooks III , Shaquelle Charles , Reoagile Choabi , Daniela Cobb , Lyric Danae , Maurice Dawkins , Cedrick Ekra , Camryn Hampton , Quiana Onrae'l Holmes, Valériane Louisy Louis Joseph, Joel Karie , Gabisile Manana , Keyveontae' Martin, Morgan Reed McDaniel, Justin Mensah , Aaron Nelson , Yuka Notsuka , Sicelo Ntshangase , Sayiga Eugene Peabody , Poseletso Sejosingoe , Jennifer Theriot , Brena K. Thomas, Courtney Thomas , Ben Toomer , Denzel Tsopnang , and Jordan Nicole Willis .

In Cleveland, The Lion King will perform Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Additional matinee performances are scheduled for Thursday, July 9 at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 30 at 12:00 p.m., and Thursday, August 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Extra Magic Packages, which include premium seating and show merchandise, will also be available. Tickets may be purchased through Playhouse Square or by calling 216-241-6000. Group orders for 10 or more may be arranged by calling 216-640-8600.

Approaching 30 years on Broadway, Disney’s The Lion King remains one of the most successful musicals in theatre history. Since premiering in 1997, the production has been seen by more than 130 million people worldwide across 32 global productions.

Currently, productions of The Lion King are running on Broadway, in London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Mexico City, and on tour throughout North America and Australia. The production has played more than 100 cities in 24 countries and has been performed in nine languages.

Directed and designed by Julie Taymor , the musical won six Tony Awards in 1998, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical. The score features music by Elton John and Tim Rice alongside additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina , Jay Rifkin , Julie Taymor , and Hans Zimmer .

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King is celebrating its 24th anniversary. Since launching in April 2002, The Lion King North American tour has welcomed over 28 million theatergoers.

Broadway Grand Rapids announced a Community Night event, offering a Spring Break opportunity for local audiences. Details on timing and programming are available through the organization directly.

Disney Theatrical Group and Playhouse Square have extended the Cleveland engagement of Disney's The Lion King.

Gilbert Domally joins The Roundtable with Robert Bannon for a BroadwayWorld Exclusive conversation as he leads the national tour of Disney’s The Lion King as Simba. Domally shares the inspiring journey that took him from Miami to the Broadway company of The Lion King and now across the country as the king of the Pride Lands. Watch in this video.

Videos

Cleveland SHOWS

Recommended For You

Sign up for announcements, and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows!

© 2026 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media , all rights reserved. Privacy Policy

_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/cleveland/article/DISNEYS-THE-LION-KING-Begins-at-Playhouse-Square-This-June-20260511)._