the native New Zealanders have been struggling to get back on their feet due to economic effects of COVID. On June 20, 2022, it was announced the show would go to the Middle East for the first time, with a limited engagement to take place from November 16 until December 10 at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena. Characters Simba: a male lion who is next in line to become king, son of Mufasa. Voice type: Tenor Young Simba: Voice type: Boy soprano Nala: a lioness who later becomes Simba's love interest. Voice type: Alto Young Nala: Voice type: Soprano Scar: a male lion, Simba's uncle and Mufasa's brother; he kills Mufasa in order to become king. Voice type: Bass Rafiki: a female mandrill who serves as narrator. Voice type: Mezzo-soprano Mufasa: a male, King of the Pridelands; Simba's father and Sarabi's husband. Voice type: Bass Timon: a male meerkat who becomes a friend with Simba. Voice type: Tenor Pumbaa: a male warthog who also becomes a friend with Simba. Voice type: Baritone Zazu: a male hornbill, Mufasa's majordomo. Voice type: Tenor Shenzi: a female hyena; one of Scar's minions. Voice type: Alto Banzai: a male hyena; one of Scar's minions. Voice type: Tenor Ed: a male hyena who cannot speak; one of Scar's minions. Voice type: Any male voice type Sarabi: a lioness, Simba's mother and Mufasa's wife. Voice type: Any female voice type The ensemble consists of a variety of African animals, Scar's hyenas, and plants Original casts The original principal casts of all major productions. The original production crew for the Broadway production: Cast distinctions Phindile Mkhize and Ntsepa Ptjeng are the only actresses who performed as leads in the three languages the musical's been performed in. Phindile performed in English (American tour and Las Vegas, 2002–2010), Spanish (from 2012 to 2013) and Portuguese (2013); while Ntsepa was leading in Brazil (2014, as a substitute to Phindile), Basel (2015) and Shanghai (2016). They are followed by Zama Magudulela, who performed as lead in two languages the musical's been performed in: French (2007 to 2010) and Spanish (2011 to the present day). Zama is also the sole actress ever to perform in four companies, as she was in the first Australian tour (2003–2006), German (2006), French (2007–2010) and Spanish (2011-present) productions. Portia Manyike is the only actress to perform in three languages, though she was never promoted to leading cast