"I am proud of my Filipino heritage and I credit a lot of my success to my mixed ethnicity. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have been able to book the role of Simba if I looked like a Ken doll!" - Adam Jacobs
Filipino-American Broadway star Adam Jacobs ("Les Miserables", "Mamma Mia") is currently essaying the coveted role of Simba in Disney Theatrical Productions' North American touring production of ground-breaking, multi-award winning musical "The Lion King". The show plays the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, IL until Saturday, November 27, 2010.
Upcoming tour engagements will include Durham, NC January 4 to 30, 2011; Providence, RI February 1 to 20, 2011; Schenectady, NY February 22 to March 20, 2011; Rochester, NY March 22 to April 17, 2011; Toronto, ON Canada April 19 to May 22, 2011; Dayton, OH June 14 to July 10, 2011; and Montreal, QC Canada August 9 to September 4, 2011.
New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts alumnus Mr. Jacobs made his Broadway debut as the romantic lead Marius in Cameron Mackintosh's Broadway revival of "Les Miserables" in 2006 to 2008. During the run at the Broadhurst Theatre, he had the opportunity to work with fellow Filipino Broadway stars Lea Salonga ("Miss Saigon", "Flower Drum Song"), who replaced Daphne Rubin-Vega as Fantine, and Ali Ewoldt ("West Side Story"), who played Cosette. Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took time out from her state visit to the United States in 2007 to see the world renowned musical, and personally congratulate Mr. Jacobs, Ms. Salonga and Ms. Ewoldt after the performance.
Born and raised in Half Moon Bay, California Mr. Jacobs' Filipino blood came from his mother, whose father -- originally from the province of Pangasinan in the Philippines -- moved to the United States in 1965 with his wife and three children.
Mr. Jacobs' inclination to the arts was apparent at a young age. He studied playing the piano at the San Francisco Conservatory where he would perform at his recitals from age five to 13. Portraying an additional role of the 13th apostle or the "apostle wannabe" (not in the original script) in a community theater production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar" was created just for him at age 13.
Destined for greater things, the young thespian was cast in lead roles of Billy Bigelow in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's "Carousel", and Che in another Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice rock musical "Evita" among others at the St. Ignatius College.
And while engaged in playing the role of Sky in the North American touring production of Catherine Johnson and ABBA's smash musical "Mamma Mia" last year, Mr. Jacobs received an offer to do one of his dream roles - Simba in Disney Theatrical Productions' newest touring production of 1998 Tony Award Best Musical "The Lion King."
He reveals to BroadwayWorld.com (Philippines) that he had been to "The Lion King" auditions several times for the past eight years.
