The pandemic was a very dark time in the world, and we needed Sun will rise.” Those lyrics signify to me that light always drives outĭarkness. Lyrics at the end of “Endless Night” are, “I know that the night must endĪnd that the sun will rise …. People be willing to come into a packed theatre? Would it be safe for the actors and the audience? So many unanswered questions. When Simba sings “Endless Night.” During the time that Broadway shutĭown in the pandemic, we had no idea what was going to happen. Hamilton at the 20th anniversary celebration of The Lion KingĪre there any parts of your role or the musical that seem particularly poignant/relevant following the events of the past two years? James was fine, and we still laugh at his incredible gymnastic abilities to this day!īonita J. I think that is a moment that will live forever in Lion King lore. The curtain did not come in, the scene did not stop, and it truly looked as if it were a part of the show and that nothing had happened. He fell into the pit but scaled a steel rod connected to the stage, jumped into the audience, ran back up on stage, and said his next line as well as my line-because I was in shock at what I had just witnessed and forgot to say it. Well, on this particular night, the set came a little too close to us and grazed James Brown-Orleans, who plays Banzai. The three hyenas were completely downstage, and the set was moving behind us. I think one of my favorite memories is during "Be Prepared". I have so many wonderful memories with this show, onstage and off. You have been with the musical for so long, can you share aįavorite onstage memory and/or a favorite backstage memory? From my Broadwayĭebut to now, I am truly living out my wildest dreams and watching them Do you recall what it was like performing on a Broadway stage for the first time?īroadway debut is a moment in time that I will never forget. The Lion King marked your Broadway debut. After the show, there are times that we may host talkbacks for a special group where we Getting into make-up and getting dressed for the show. I start my commute into the cityĪt about 4:30 PM and arrive at the theatre typically at 5:45 PM. Long, steep hill in my neighborhood-I’ve been known to run up the hill I start with vocal warmupsĪnd do a cardio workout to get my blood flowing. Switch gears and get into Lion King mode. Take clients out in search of their first or forever home. The theatre was shut down, I made a pandemic pivot to real estate. Work on any auditions/voiceovers that I may have. I may lay back down for a little while and then get up and To the bus stop on time and have everything they need for a successful I have two children, so I make sure they get The Lion King will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a performance benefiting the Entertainment Community Fund. Below, Hamilton tells us about her favorite memory from her 17 years in The Lion King-it includes one of her co-hyenas falling into the orchestra pit!
In between, the Alabama native (who is also a real estate agent) has appeared in regional productions of Guys and Dolls, The Piano Lesson, The Old Settler, and In the Blood-as well as in a staged reading of Mandela the Musical. Hamilton was also seen in HBO's The Knick. Not that she's played the role straight through. Hamilton, who made her Broadway debut in the Disney hit, has played the role for 17 years. The musical celebrates 25 years on Broadway November 13. Hamilton, who plays one of Scar's hench-hyenas, Shenzi, in the Tony-winning The Lion Kingon Broadway. This week, Playbill catches up with Bonita J.
0 kommentar(er)
