By Andrea Uhde
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Tariq Ramsey, 11, of Roselawn plays young Simba in the touring Broadway play The Lion King. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

The first time Tariq Ramsey watched The Lion King, he couldn't understand why the lions weren't wearing any clothes. Whatever the reason, he decided he'd just go with the flow.

"I took off my clothes and underwear and went around the house jumping," the Roselawn youth remembered as he clawed his hands in the air. "Roar! Roar!"

Now, Tariq gets paid to pretend to be a lion. On Tuesday, the Losantiville Elementary School student made his debut in the Broadway U.S. touring production of The Lion King at the Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland. He plays young Simba, a lion cub who, after a series of hardships, takes over as king after his father dies.

This time around, Tariq is wearing clothes: a beaded corset, a beaded tail, and a black wig with orange dreadlocks. He'll be flashing his attire in Cleveland, St. Louis, Louisville and Memphis during the next 15 weeks. After that, Disney will decide if they want to sign him on for another six months.

"Oh, I just can't wait to be king!'' is what Tariq sings in his big moment on stage. And in his world, Tariq has decided he'll be the king of acting.

"I want to become a big-time actor, like Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence," he said. "I don't get a big hit about it, but I do feel famous."

At 11, he already has a two-page resume full of acting and dance experiences, including local performances in Cinderella, Finian's Rainbow and the Cincinnati Ballet's Nutcracker for two years. He tried out for The Lion King in March by singing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and, after a second audition, he was shipped June 14 to Charlotte, N.C., to start rehearsals.

"The day he joined us, he was very outgoing and smiling and excited," said Alan Ross Kosher, manager of the touring company. "It has stayed the same throughout the entire rehearsal period."

Tariq's father, Tim Ramsey, will be touring with him, and his mother, Damita Ramsey, will visit him on weekends.

Being away from home has its advantages for the rambunctious child. "I like it," he said. "I get to be away from my brother."

Tariq will attend the School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Pendleton when he returns from the play. Until then, he's being tutored on the set. He sandwiches play time between education and acting .

Tariq sums up his experience: "I'm being a regular kid, but at the same time being famous."

E-mail auhde@enquirer.com