Character guide
Simba
from The Lion King
Simba is the young lion prince at the heart of The Lion King, the 1997 Broadway musical adapted from the Disney film with music by Elton John.
- Show
- The Lion King
- Broadway premiere
- 1997
- Role
- Lead
- Music by
- Elton John
Simba: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 1994 animated film and 2019 remake
The stage Simba gets a solo the films never had: Endless Night, a new Act 2 song for the grown Simba in exile. He also sings He Lives in You with Rafiki, a number not heard in the 1994 film.
Jason Raize originated adult Simba on Broadway in 1997, with Scott Irby-Ranniar as Young Simba. In the 1994 animated film, Matthew Broderick voiced adult Simba (with rock singer Joseph Williams providing his singing voice) and Jonathan Taylor Thomas voiced the cub, with Jason Weaver singing for him. Jon Favreau's 2019 remake cast Donald Glover as Simba and JD McCrary as the cub.
Who is Simba?
Simba begins the story as an eager young cub in line to inherit his father's place as ruler of the Pride Lands. After a tragedy he did not cause but is made to believe he did, he flees his home and grows up far from his responsibilities, before eventually finding the courage to return and reclaim his place.
His journey is a classic coming-of-age arc, tracing the path from innocence through guilt and avoidance to maturity and acceptance of duty.
Simba's role in The Lion King
Simba is the show's lead role, and the musical typically casts the character at two different ages, with a young performer for the cub scenes and an adult performer carrying the character through the second half. The adult Simba requires a strong, expressive singing voice and the physical stamina to embody a lion through the production's distinctive puppetry and movement style.
Because the role spans such emotional range, from playful and carefree to guilt-ridden and finally triumphant, it asks a lot of whoever plays him across the full arc of the show.
Why Simba resonates with audiences
Simba's story of running from responsibility and eventually finding the strength to face it speaks to audiences of every age, which is part of why The Lion King has remained such an enduring stage property. The character's growth from a frightened young cub into a confident leader gives the musical its emotional backbone.
Simba: frequently asked questions
What show is Simba from?
Simba is the lead character in The Lion King, which opened on Broadway in 1997.
Is Simba a lead or supporting role?
Simba is the lead role of The Lion King, often played by separate young and adult performers.
Who wrote the music for The Lion King?
Elton John composed the music for The Lion King, with additional score elements from other contributors.
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