"So Many Cultures" Come To Fresno With "The Lion King" Tour

KVPR | By Laura Tsutsui

Published December 4, 2018 at 11:31 AM PST

Martina Sykes and Gerald Ramsey play Shenzi and Mufasa, characters in the stage adaptation of Disney's "The Lion King." They're performing in Fresno until Sunday, December 9.

Last week, for the first time, downtown Fresno’s Saroyan Theater transformed into the Pridelands, complete with larger than life giraffes, and an iconic warthog-meerkat duo. Actors Martina Sykes and Gerald Ramsey, who play Shenzi and Mufasa, came to the station to talk about the show and how they take a well-known animated film and translate its music and themes to the stage.

You can hear listen to the interview above to hear more.

The North American Tour of Disney’s “The Lion King” is halfway through its run in Fresno, with performances concluding on Sunday, December 9. Tickets are available at BroadwayinFresno.com.

Gerald Ramsey plays Mufasa, father to Simba and king of the Pridelands in the North American Tour of "The Lion King."

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Laura Tsutsui

Laura Tsutsui was a reporter and producer for Valley Public Radio. She joined the station in 2017 as a news intern, and later worked as a production assistant and weekend host. Laura covered local issues ranging from politics to housing, and produced the weekly news program Valley Edition. She left the station in November 2020.

See stories by Laura Tsutsui