Kajuana S. Marie held back tears during an emotional curtain call on November 13

The Lion King He gave a very special performance broadway This week.

On Wednesday, November 13, the musical adaptation of the popular animated film celebrated its 27th anniversary. And to mark the milestone, the players surprised the crowd. Kajuana S. MarieShe originated the role of Young Nala at the age of 10 when the show opened in 1997.

“I was definitely here for the opening night of the show because I’m actually the first Teen Nala,” Marie said in the video she shared. The Lion King‘s social media channel.

The actress, whose Equity name was Kajuana Shuford in 1997, has yet to return to the boards, although she has been busy in film and television since her Broadway debut. Still, he said Wednesday evening that he feels “such gratitude and love to be a part of this show and this family and to meet all of you who carry on the legacy of this show.”

“Let me tell you, the show looks as good today as it did 27 years ago, so congratulations,” he said.

Marie also gave a chance to the 14 original cast members still in the production. “‘(You’ve) been here since Day 1, my OGs,” Marie said, breaking down in tears. “We love you, we see you, we adore you, and I pray that my wife and I will be together much, much more. The Lion King family.”

“Surreal moment,” she wrote on Instagram Stories and reposted the video.

The Lion King It is the third longest-running show on Broadway and has been in the top 5 shows on the Broadway League’s weekly gross receipts list for 27 years.

Over the show’s lifetime, there have been 29 productions playing in over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica. It was watched by 120 million people in nine different languages ​​(English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese).

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Currently, 90,000 people see the show every week in eight productions on three continents: Broadway, Toronto, London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo and on tour in North America.

Directed by Julie Taymor The Lion King features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from the animated film (such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata”), as well as three new songs by John and Rice. Featuring music by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Taymor and Hans Zimmer Rhythm of the Pride Lands — an album inspired by the original music from the film.

The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film. The Lion King feature film and Irene Mecchi, who wrote the script for the film.

The Lion King It won six Tony Awards in 1998, including best musical and best director; This win highlighted Taymor, who also did the design. The Lion Kingdesigned the costumes and co-designed the masks for; She went down in the history books as the first woman to win a Tony for directing.

Composer Lebo M and Tony-winning choreographer Garth Fagan have their own Broadway records; with The Lion King They are the longest-running Black composer and choreographer in Broadway history, with more than 10,600 main body performances.

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The company’s 14 original members include Lindiwe Dlamini, who has performed in the show since its pre-Broadway premiere in Minneapolis in the summer of 1997.

Additionally, many of the artists and artisans who initiated the exhibition remain an integral part of the show. Original crew members include Cynthia Boardman (assistant wardrobe supervisor), Elizabeth Cohen (production makeup supervisor), Hilda Garcia-Suli (wardrobe), Doug Graf (head tracking spot operator), Anne Salt (puppetry technician and props), and Sean Strohmeyer ( Varilites). electric).

Seven musicians have been in the orchestra pit since its Broadway opening: Tom Brett, Avril Brown, George Flynn, Eliana Mendoza, Rolando Morales-Matos, Horace “Junior” Wedderburn and David Weiss.

tickets The Lion King currently on sale.