Exodus Lale

Last updated

Exodus Lale (born 21 September 2005) is an Australian-born performer, male actor and singer who played Young Simba in Disney's the Lion King Musical Australian tour. He is of Samoan heritage. [1] Exodus is a Christian and is a member of the Sunnybank Uniting Church. Lale played the hooker position for his club Acacia Ridge Magpies Junior Rugby League team which he has been a part of since 2010. [2] Lale won the 2015 Pacific Award for achievement in the Junior Performing Arts Category in New South Wales on 2 September 2015, Best performance in Live Theatre Best Actor at the 37th Annual Gala Young Artist Awards in Los Angeles on 13 March 2016 [3] [4] and was a finalist in the Queensland Young Achiever Awards 2016 where he opened the event and won the People's Choice Award in May 2016. [5]

Contents

Early life

Exodus was named after the story of Moses in the Old Testament, chosen by his parents. He is middle-named "Jeremiah" after his father's brother Jerry Lale, his grandfather Jeremiah (Sa'u) Lale and "Norman" after his mother's brother Norman Tupu. He is the eldest of five siblings and the eldest grandson of Sa'u and Fofoga Lale. His father Fa'alafitele Papali'i Tino Lale hails from the Samoan villages of Apolima Uta, Vaiusu and Safune, Savaii. His mother Nicola Tupu Lale hails from the villages of Sinamoga and Satupaitea, Savaii. Exodus portrayed traits of music ability at the age of two when he started to sing in tune. He reached his first soprano note at the age of five years old and secured a solo position in his church choir at the age of six. He performed a solo at a combined Samoan Uniting Church Service in November 2012 at the age of seven. He performed a solo at a Harmony Day parade at his school in 2012. He performed a solo at the age of seven with his choir from the Sunnybank Samoan Uniting Church Choir at the 2013 Queensland Samoan Choir Competition which was held in Brisbane. The choir was placed 4th overall in the competition.

Career

Lale auditioned for the Lion King at the age of eight years old and was successful in landing the role despite being well under the stringent audition age criterion of 10 to 12 for the auditions that were held in Brisbane in June 2014. He travelled to Sydney in August 2014 with his parents and his youngest brother to rehearse for almost three weeks before his first stage performance at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney on 24 August 2014, to which he dedicated his entire performance to his 6 family members lost in the Queensland house fire disaster on 24 August 2011, the three-year anniversary of their deaths. Exodus was six when they perished. [6] [7] Exodus debuted in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre at QPAC in South Bank, Queensland on Sunday 24 September 2014. [8] Exodus was the only selection from Queensland to open the Melbourne Tour in early 2015. He debuted in Melbourne on the Regent Theatre stage on 14 February 2015. Exodus debuted in Perth on the Crown Theatre stage on 30 January 2016. Exodus is the youngest Simba to be cast worldwide for Disney's the Lion King Musical at the age of eight years old. Exodus was a finalist in the Junior Performing Arts Category of the Pacific Awards 2015 and won the top award at the Awards Ceremony in Sydney, New South Wales in September 2015. He was also nominated for a Young Artist Award in the category for the Best Performance in Live Theatre Young Actor at the 37th Annual Gala Young Artist Awards on Sunday 13 March 2016 in Los Angeles which he won. [3] [9] Exodus was a finalist in the Queensland Young Achiever Awards 2016 where he also opened the event with a performance [10] and won the People's Choice Award. [5] In 2016, Exodus was recognised for his performing arts talent at the 2016 Samoa Independence Day Celebration in Brisbane. [11] In July 2016, Exodus was successful in landing the role of Bruce Bogtrotter for the Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand touring cast of Matilda the Musical the stage musical based on the novel of Road Dahl adapted by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company. [12] Exodus performed at the opening night in Brisbane at the QPAC in South Bank, Queensland on Thursday 1 December 2016 which he received positive reviews for his performance. [13] [14] [15] Exodus also performed at the opening night in Perth at the Crown Perth on Friday 3 March 2017, also to positive critic reviews. [16]

Other

Exodus' grandfather's (Sa'u Jeremiah Lale) younger brother also named Jeremiah Lale, was a survivor of one of the worst house fires in Queensland. Exodus lost his Aunty Jeanette and five cousins – Lale, Lini, Lafoai, Leitioa and Ritchie, who perished in a house fire on 24 August 2011. [17]

Soccer star Tim Cahill donated his match fees to Jeremiah Lale to assist with the loss of his wife and children. [18]

In September 2011, Lale modeled for Fadez Mens Barbershop, for an article in the Queensland Times. [19]

Exodus' aunt Viva Lale is also a singer. She auditioned for the Voice Australia in 2013. Viva accompanied Exodus for a church performance in 2013. [20]

Exodus was featured in the Samoa Times on 27 October 2014. [21]

Exodus was featured in the 12 November 2014 issue of Multiculturalism Matters for the Presbytery of South Moreton for the Uniting Church Australia. [6]

Exodus attended the Gold Coast Film Festival in April 2016. [22]

Exodus was invited to perform for the Association of South Pacific Airlines Conference at the Brisbane Showcase of Lights Dinner that was hosted by Brisbane Airport Corporation and Aviation Australia in December 2015.

Exodus' win at the 37th Annual Gala Young Artist Awards was discussed on Backstage on 14 March 2016. [9]

Exodus was featured in the Courier Mail on 16 March 2016. [3]

Exodus was invited to perform at the South Pacific Tourism Exchange 2016 at Sea World in Gold Coast in May 2016.

Exodus was featured in the May 2016 issue of the Brisbane Families Magazine.

Exodus was featured in the 30 May 2016 issue of the Samoan Observer. [5]

Exodus was featured in the June 2016 issue number 190 of Mania Magazine, an Australian entertainment magazine for children.

Exodus was featured in the July 2016 issue of Journey Magazine for the Uniting Church Australia. [23]

Exodus was invited to perform at the 2016 Logan Raw Conference. [24]

Exodus performed at the 2016 Pacific Unity Festival promoting multiculturalism and celebrating the Pacific Islands. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Barry-Smith</span> Australian operatic baritone (born 1969)

Jason Barry-Smith is an Australian operatic baritone, vocal coach, composer, and arranger. He works with organisations such as Opera Queensland, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Seven Network, and the Queensland Youth Choir.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queensland Performing Arts Centre</span> Australian performing arts venue

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre and is located on the corner of Melbourne Street and Grey Street in Brisbane's South Bank precinct. Opened in 1985, it includes the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse and Cremorne Theatre.

<i>The Lion King</i> (musical) Musical

The Lion King is a stage musical with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, with additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer. It is based on the 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios' film of the same name. Directed by Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

Joseph Edward Twist is an Australian composer from Gold Coast, Queensland, who resides in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearly Black</span> Australian singer

Pearly Black is an Australian singer. Her performance style varies widely, performing with several ensembles in different genres and in short-run shows. She is perhaps best known for collaborations with avant-garde composer and musician John Rodgers, including their "sex-and-death-cabaret-rock" band Madam Bones Brothel which developed a cult following in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Simon Gallaher is an Australian singer, actor, director and pianist. He plays classical fiddle and was the lead in Fiddler on the Roof 1983. He Fiddles on a casual basis these days and performs at the end of each month at The Wickham Hotel

Naomi Price is an Australian stage actress and singer, best known for appearing in the fourth season of the Australian version of The Voice, finishing in fifth place, and her roles in original cabarets Rumour Has It: Sixty Minutes Inside Adele and Wrecking Ball

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Dykstra</span> Australian actor of screen, stage and TV

Russell Dykstra is an Australian actor of screen, stage and TV.

Dunamis Lui is a Samoa international rugby league footballer plays as a prop and lock for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup.

<i>Matilda the Musical</i> 2011 musical by Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly

Roald Dahl's Matilda, also known simply as Matilda and Matilda the Musical, is a musical with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly. It is based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. The musical's narrative centres on Matilda Wormwood, a precocious five-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis, who loves reading, overcomes obstacles caused by her family and school, and helps her teacher to reclaim her life. After a twelve-week trial run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at Stratford-upon-Avon from November 2010 to January 2011, it received its West End premiere on 24 November 2011 at the Cambridge Theatre and its Broadway premiere on 11 April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna McGahan</span> Australian actress and playwright (born 1988)

Anna McGahan is an Australian actress and playwright. She is best known for playing the roles of Nellie Cameron on the television series, Underbelly: Razor (2011), Lucy in House Husbands (2012–2014), and Rose Anderson in The Doctor Blake Mysteries (2015–2018).

Matthew Ryan is an Australian playwright, theatre director and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheldon College</span> Independent, mixed-gender, day school in Redlands, Queensland, Australia

Sheldon College is a private day school located in Sheldon in Redland City, Queensland, Australia. The school admits students from 15 months of age through to Grade 12.

Nick Afoa is a New Zealand tenor and former New Zealand age grade rugby union footballer of Samoan and Croatian heritage.

David Reeves is an Australian composer, conductor and organist. He began his professional career as a concert organist in the early 1960s, turning to conducting and composition some ten years later. He is the composer of original modern music that bridges commercial and classical styles. 'An original Australian Musical Trailblazer' - Tommy Tycho OBE AM - Channel 9 - Star-Sound Recording Studios 1992.

"Endless Night" is a song written by Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, Julie Taymor, and Jay Rifkin. It premiered in 1997 as part of the musical The Lion King, a stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 animated feature film of the same name. Mark Mancina produced the song and arranged by Mark A. Brymer. Taymor wrote the lyrics based on the melody from "Lala", a song from the 1995 soundtrack album Rhythm of the Pride Lands. Jason Raize, who first performed the role of Simba for the Broadway production, first performed and recorded "Endless Night"; his version is included on the original cast recording.

<i>The Sunshine Club</i> Musical

The Sunshine Club is an Australian musical with book and lyrics by Wesley Enoch and music by John Rodgers.

<i>Ladies in Black</i> Musical by Tim Finn

Ladies in Black is an Australian musical with music and lyrics by Tim Finn and book by Carolyn Burns, based on the 1993 novel The Women in Black by Madeleine St John.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elise McCann</span> Australian actress and singer

Elise McCann is an Australian actress and musical theatre performer most well known for originating the role of Miss Honey in the Australian production of Matilda the Musical and as Lucille Ball in Everybody Loves Lucy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremiah Nanai</span> Australia & Samoa international rugby league footballer

Jeremiah Nanai is an Australian and Samoan international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).

References

  1. ↑ "Log In or Sign Up to View". Facebook.com.
  2. ↑ Uesele, Leilua Jerry (27 October 2014). "Mataina Exodus Lale le Lion King | Samoa Times: Samoan Community Newspaper".
  3. 1 2 3 "Young star in LA triumph". Couriermail.com.au. 15 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. 1 2 3 "Exodus Lale wins the "People's choice award"". Samoa Observer.
  6. 1 2 "Multiculturalism Matters" (PDF). Southmoreton.org.au. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Exodus Lale Archives". Journeyonline.com.au.
  8. ↑ "The Lion King Musical - Performance Review". Otakustudy.com. 26 November 2014.
  9. 1 2 "ABC and Nickelodeon Actors Lead Winners at Young Artist Awards". Backstage.com. 14 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Opening entertainment is Exodus Lale 1 of The Coffee Club Arts and Fashion Award finalists! Brilliant job! #QLDYAApic.twitter.com/2THJ1nxJt4". Twitter.com. 20 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Samoa's Independence celebrated in Queensland". Samoa Observer.
  12. ↑ "Meet our newest Matildas!". Theatrepeople.com.au. 20 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Matilda – The Musical | Stage Whispers". Stagewhispers.com.au.
  14. ↑ "Matilda the Musical". Australianstage.com.au.
  15. ↑ Entertainment, X. S. (5 December 2016). "Matilda the Musical".
  16. ↑ "Matilda the Musical". Australianstage.com.au.
  17. ↑ Thompson, Ashley (3 July 2016). "Keeping the faith through tragedy and triumph". Journeyonline.com.au.
  18. ↑ "Soccer star helps out fire family". Couriermail.com.au. 22 March 2013.
  19. ↑ "Finals set to be hair raising fun". Queensland Times. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  20. ↑ "Viva finds Voice for lost loved ones". News.com.au. 14 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "Mataina alo Samoa i le faatinoga o Simba i le Lion King". Samoa Times. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "Exodus Lale Photos Photos: Gold Coast Film Festival Opening Night - Arrivals". Zimbio.
  23. ↑ Rogers, Ben (27 June 2016). "July 2016 Journey now available". Journeyonline.com.au.
  24. ↑ "2016 Logan RAW". Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  25. ↑ "Pacific Unity Festival Queensland". Facebook.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.