Kissy Simmons

Kissy Simmons is an American actor. "Kissy" is short for Kissimmee, the Floridian city near Orlando only about 80 miles from Floral City, Florida where she was born. She is currently portraying Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King. [cite web
url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-496017871.html
title=reprint from "The Westside Gazette" of December 18 2002, "Floral City native, Kissy Simmons is Nala in Disney's Lion King
publisher=highbeam.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27] [cite web
url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=546472
title=Behind the Scenes: Backstage at The Lion King with Kissy Simmons
publisher=by Paul Wontorek
accessdate=2008-09-27] [cite web
url=http://www.broadwaystars.com/ellis/2007/12/by_popular_demand_the_new.shtml
title=Lion King's Kissy Simmons, TV Pioneers, Barbara Returns, Chita's Back, Schmidt and Jones' Celebration Revived, Holiday Fare, More
publisher=by Ellis Nassour
accessdate=2008-09-27]

Biography

Kissy Simmons was state high-jump champion at Citrus High School in Florida, and attended the University of South Florida on a full track scholarship.cite web
url=http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=502003
title=Kissy Simmons bio
publisher=broadway.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27] cite web
url=http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/14258
title=Kissy Simmons biography
publisher=playbill.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27] She received a BA in speech communications before going on to a successful modeling and theatre career in the Tampa Bay area. [cite web
url=http://tampabayillustrated.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=issues.one&content_id=2629&x=6263454
title=Kissy Simmons Hits Home
publisher=tampabayillustrated.com archives
accessdate=2008-09-27] Professional credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette) and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.

Recent career

In April 2008 she made her Carnegie Hall debut performing at the New York Pops 25th Annual Spring Gala. [cite web
url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=27418
title=reprint from "The Westside Gazette" of December 18 2002, Disney's Leading Ladies Took On Carnegie Hall 4/28
publisher=broadwayworld.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27] Then in May 2008, along with Ashley Brown and Sierra Boggess, she performed at The New York Pops 25th Birthday Gala. [cite web
url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=28065
title=Photo Coverage: The New York Pops 25th. Birthday Gala
publisher=broadwayworld.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27]

Along with 10 other select members of the current Lion King cast, Kissy performed September 15 2008 at The White House for a State Dinner. The invitation came personally from The First Lady Laura Bush, who saw the show during its recent Kennedy Center engagement. [cite web
url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=32247
title=September 11 2008, Cast of 'The Lion King' To Perform at White House State Dinner
publisher=broadwayworld.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27] [cite web
url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=32461
title=September 16 2008, Photo Flash: THE LION KING Visits the White House
publisher=broadwayworld.com website
accessdate=2008-09-27]

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1859821/ "Kissy Simmons" at IMDB]
* [http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=113221 "Kissy Simmons" at the Intenet Broadway Data Base]
* [http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26428 broadwayworld.com] , "Smith and Simmons of 'Lion King' Interviewed on BBC Radio"