Derek Smith, Dionne Randolph Highlight ‘Lion King’ San Francisco Cast

Derek Smith and Dionne Randolph will star in the upcoming San Francisco return engagement of Disney’s “The Lion King.”

The production will debut at the SHN Orpheum Theatre on November 1 and play through January 13, 2013. Smith will star as Scar, while Randolph will take on the role of Mufasa. Other members of the cast include Mark David Kaplan as Zazu, Buyi Zama as Rafiki, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, Jelani Remi as Old Simba, Nick Cordileone as Timom, Syndee Winters as Nala, Rashada Dawan as Shenzi, Robbie Swift as Ed and Keith Bennett as Banzai.

Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power will alternate as the role of Young Simba. Young Nala also will be alternated, with both Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden performing the role.

Performances will be held Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. along with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m. Additionally, there will be occasional Wednesday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday evening performances held at 6:30 p.m. Premium ticket packages are available for shows, and include exclusive merchandise and a souvenir program in addition to a prime seat location. Regular ticket prices start at $32.50.

Since the Broadway premiere of “The Lion King” in November 1997, there have been 19 productions staged around the world. The musical is only the second in history to have five productions that ran 10 years or more. It is estimated that a total of more than 65 million people have seen the musical, which has grossed more than $4.8 billion.

The musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and director Julie Taymor won the award for Best Director of a Musical, making her the first woman to ever receive the award. In all, the production has won more than 30 major awards around the world.