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'Lion King' Debut Is Dream Come True For Blake High Graduate

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Blake High School graduate Dan'yelle Williamson performs as Nala in the 'The Lion King' at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

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By KURT LOFT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

TAMPA - Talk about the curtain going up on a dream.

A graduate of Blake High School in Tampa enjoyed the spotlight Tuesday with her first performance in the Broadway production of Disney's "The Lion King." Dan'yelle Williamson's portrayal of the lion Nala marks her first major principal role, and best of all, her family and friends were in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center audience.

"To perform a role in a major, major show is an honor," the 24-year-old actress said. "And to have Tampa as my debut city is really exciting."

Williamson takes over the role from another actress, whose engagement contract expired. Williamson will see the Tampa run through its end in late June, then join the company on its national tour in other cities.

The opportunity is a thrill, she said, and the adrenaline rush keeps her focused.

"I always get a little nervous because I want to do my best," she said. "But it's good nervous, not like I'm-going-to-mess-up kind of nervous. It's positive nerves."

Born and raised in Tampa, Williamson studied musical theater at Blake, where she graduated with honors in 2002. She also was a member of The Young Motivational Singers. She moved north and earned a theater degree at the Boston Conservatory of Music, then got her feet wet playing a minor part in the musical "Wicked" during an 18-month run in Chicago.

But "Lion King" is a different animal. The 21/2-hour production is huge and complex, and a minefield of potential miscues.

"I have to know where to be, and I have to know all the other people's traffic," Williamson said. "There is a lot going on, with 50 people back stage in addition to the crew. You have to know where to be at the exact time."

"The Lion King" runs through June 22 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place. For times and tickets call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org.

Reporter Kurt Loft can be reached at (813) 259-7570 or kloft@tampatrib.com.

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