on the Gazelle National Tour and ensemble work understudying Mufasa and Scar on Broadway. I’ve been the permanent Mufasa on Broadway a year this past June. A 12-year journey from Wildebeest #1 to the king of Pride Rock.” Twelve years connected to a show can seem unique in the entertainment business, though it does occur. Taylor, like many artists, also takes on other opportunities, but had much to say about his connection to this special show. “I love the effect it has on people,” Taylor said. “It is such a positive show, so universally relatable. At some point in our life we were all a Simba, lost trying to find his way. As a father I relate to Mufasa — wanting to keep my son safe and instill ideals that he will eventually pass on to his kids and affect his own community.” He appreciates not only the show’s portrayal of this ubiquitous family dynamic but also the glimpse it gives the audience into South African culture. “I adore how the culture is represented in the show,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of shows that represent African Americans in the roles of Africans in such a positive light, and under the lens of this beautiful South African heartbeat. Especially with everything going on in the media, we have an opportunity to dispel stereotypes every night. We get to make people think differently.” After all this time working on the show, Taylor calls the people he works with “family.” “We laugh together, cry together,” he said. “We have been through births, weddings, deaths, major events — they keep my head straight and give me the opportunity to do the same for them.” Taylor admits that he never saw his life unfolding in quite this way. “Broadway wasn’t the primary goal,” he said. “It was creating — a character, choreography, whatever it was. Being an artist means getting out of your own way, especially when creating art that is going to affect others. It forces you to look at yourself critically, change, evolve, provide space and transport someone else. Doing that for another is one of the greatest things we can do. Performing does that for me; Broadway is icing on the cake.” Concrete) Photo courtesy of Yellafella Photography SEPTEMBER 2016 I BOROMAG.COM I 23
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