JD McCrary (voice of Young Simba), Shahadi Wright Joseph (voice of Young Nala) from Disneyโs โThe Lion Kingโ were on hand at ESSENCE Festival 2019 this weekend at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
The young actors celebrated the movieโs upcoming opening by singing โCanโt Wait to be Kingโ on the ESSENCE Centerstage.
Additionally, the Great Street Stephen Full Gospel Choir under the leadership of Pastor Debra Morton and GRAMMYยฎ-nominated, Stellar Award-winning gospel legend Bishop Paul S. Morton performed โThe Circle of Lifeโ with Tshidi Manye (Rafiki in Broadwayโs โThe Lion Kingโ).
Tamron Hall helped facilitate the festivities.
The ESSENCE Festivalยฎ presented by Coca-Cola, the worldโs largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience, marked its 25th anniversary July 4-7, 2019, in New Orleans, La. The Festival, the only experience of its kind, is also the largest celebration of global Black culture and continues to reach new heights with a focus on economic inclusion, cultural ownership and community development. Now attracting more than 500,000 attendees each weekend, the ESSENCE Festival surpasses every national music, entertainment, and cultural festival based on average daily attendance and is planning its most extensive programming to date.
Disneyโs โThe Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cubโs arrival. Scar, Mufasaโs brotherโand former heir to the throneโhas plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simbaโs exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncรฉ Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon. Utilizing pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way, Disneyโs โThe Lion Kingโ roars into theaters on July 19, 2019. Click here to check out trailer.