If you were one of the thousands of Redmond residents that were fortunate enough to catch a showing of the exclusive five-week return engagement of Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King in Seattle, there’s a good chance you remember the performance of Andre Jackson, who plays the lead role of Simba in the show’s touring production.

But after witnessing his brilliant stage presence, youthful energy and crystal-clear singing voice, it may be hard to believe that, when he was younger, Jackson was not interested in acting at all. The Arkansas native was a senior in college before he took his first acting class, basically to fulfill a fine arts credit.

And it was love at first sight.

JACKSON’S JOURNEY

After being accepted into the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, Jackson moved out west with nothing more than a lofty dream of someday making it big on-screen or onstage.

And it just so happened that at the time Jackson was attending the Academy, a new show that had just begun its first touring run at Los Angeles’ Pantages Theatre was taking the theatre world by storm.

“My roommate who also was going to the Academy was working as an usher at the Pantages, and he said, “Man, you have to see this show The Lion King! It’s crazy, it’s incredible,” Jackson recalled. “I said I couldn’t afford a ticket, so he got me some free tickets—and from the beginning to end of the show I was mesmerized. After that I said I really wanted to be part of this show.”

From that day forward, Jackson set his sights on landing the lead role of Simba in The Lion King.

First came regional auditions, and an agonizing three-year wait before he was called back and offered not the lead role he had hoped for, but a temporary role in the show’s ensemble.

Ensemble members for The Lion King have one of the most challenging skill sets in live theatre, as they have to go through as many as 10 costume changes throughout the show, representing anything from a leaping gazelle, zebra or giraffe during the show’s breathtaking opening scene “Circle of Life,” to a hyena during Scar’s malevolent soliloquy “Be Prepared,” to a vast array of flora during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” On top of that, the ensemble must memorize a number of different dance routines and songs in order to perform each scene.

Undeterred, Jackson excelled at what he was asked to do, and moved up the casting ladder. A little over a year ago, at long last, he got “the call.”

“I was so excited and so happy,” said Jackson of when he finally was told he earned the job of Simba for the show’s touring production. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since I saw the show at the Pantages back in 2001. I said, “I’m going to shoot for Simba, I think I can do it.

“When I got it, it was just the fulfillment of that dream.”

PERFORMANCE PARALLELS

Ironically, Jackson said that he relates to his character onstage, as Simba’s journey in the age-old story parallels his own life.

Growing up in a single-parent family in Forrest City, Ark., located 45 minutes west of Memphis, Jackson told the Reporter of his need to accept a high level of responsibility at a young age, much like the leonine hero he portrays every night.

“I was from a home… where I grew up fast. There was a lot of responsibility placed on me at a young age, and not really knowing what to do with it, how to handle it,” he said. “I had the feeling of being overwhelmed by that responsibility, but ultimately accepting it, and meeting it. That’s something I share with the character of Simba.”

Although he has been performing the role eight times a week for nearly one year, Jackson admits he is still growing in the role and learning new things about the show every day. He said he would like to someday pursue some television and film later down the line in his native Los Angeles, but his love affair with the show that enchanted him as a drama student eight years ago remains.

“I think every actor would like to have a long resume and be a part of a lot of different pieces of work,” Jackson said. “This is the most beautiful theatre piece I’ve ever been a part of… I can’t imagine at this point when I would want to leave.”

“Right now, I’m really enjoying this whole Simba thing, so I’m going to ride this out for a while,” he added with a laugh.

VALIDATION TICKET

With all the competition in show business nowadays for a very limited number of roles, Jackson knows he is very lucky to be able to join a select few actors who can say that they’ve performed as Simba in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical.

“Being an actor is tough, especially today, because roles like this one don’t come by all the time,” Jackson said. “As an actor, I’ve put in a lot of work. There’s so much work that goes into just finding your next job, and to be able to be a part of a production like this is really a blessing, and a validation that all of my hard work is paying off in some way.”

Jackson explained that it means a lot to him that audiences every night, which have been packed to standing-room only at the Paramount since the show’s run began in Seattle, get to experience some of the joy that he feels as an actor playing what he calls an “incredible role.”

“I feel really fortunate, and really blessed,” Jackson said. “There are tons of actors out there who would love to be in this position. For me to have a chance to do this for almost a year now, it’s just been a great experience.”

The Lion King is playing at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, located at 911 Pine Street, through March 15.

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Q & A with Andre Jackson

TW: What’s your favorite scene to perform in the show?

AJ: Oh wow, there’s so many… I think my favorite scene is the one with Rafiki (performed by South Africa native Phindile Mkhize), who is amazing—she is incredible, she’s one of a kind—the scene I share with her where she convinces me to go back home and reclaim the throne. That scene is just so liberating. All the other actors are onstage, everyone’s dancing, the music’s great. That’s definitely my favorite scene.

TW: Is this your first time visiting Seattle?

AJ: Yes it is, and I love this city. My wife and I, we took a sightseeing tour downtown and visited the Space Needle, and she really enjoyed Pike Place Market. And I thought it would be really cold and rainy up here after being in Arizona, but so far the weather’s been nice.