‘Lion’ child lead shows big talent

File this name away for future reference: Ruby E. Crawford, one of two actors who play young Nala, the child lead, in the first half of "The Lion King."

She's the latest child-star-in-the-making represented by Philadelphia agent Nancy Carson.

Crawford, 11, plays the young lioness and childhood pal of future lion king Simba in the new Disney production at Mandalay Bay.

Two years ago Crawford made her Broadway debut in "The Color Purple" with "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino. During her 10 months with "Purple," she also appeared with another "Idol" alum, Jennifer Hudson, in the "Sex and the City" film.

She's already scouted out the scariest roller coaster in town. "New York-New York, 203-foot drop," she gushed.

Given Carson's track record when it comes to young talent with sky-high potential, Crawford will no doubt soon appear on the radar of Hollywood talent scouts.

Carson, who owns New York-based Carson-Adler Agency, represented Britney Spears, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Ben Stiller when they were kids.

Crawford's big personality doesn't shut down off stage. Within a few minutes after our introduction at the opening night after-party at Mix, the North Carolina youngster offered to introduce this columnist to her co-stars.

Off we went, weaving through the large crowd, with Crawford making introduction after introduction, including leads Kissy Simmons (Nala) and Clifton Oliver (Simba).

Simmons bursts onto the scene early in the second half, with a stunning athleticism that made her a Florida state champion in track.

Oliver said the chemistry between Nala and Simba has pleased the production's brain trust.

"They said we light up the stage and they've added more (to the characters)," said Oliver, who played Simba in the Broadway production.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Donny Osmond told Entertainment Tonight, in segments that aired Friday and Sunday, that ailing "Charlie's Angels" icon Farrah Fawcett recently called and requested that a clip of her appearance on the very first episode of ABC's "Donny and Marie" show in 1976 be sent to her.

In the clip, Fawcett is seen dancing onstage with Donny and Marie. Fawcett is battling terminal cancer. ...

Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical ("The Lion King"), took time off from her next big Broadway project -- the musical "Spider-Man" -- to attend opening weekend of "The Lion King" in Las Vegas.

The buzz is building over "Spider-Man," in part because it is being scored by U-2's Bono and The Edge. It opens in February.

SIGHTINGS

At Tiger Jam on Saturday at Mandalay Bay: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, NFL Hall of Famer Marcus Allen, Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson, and NBA standouts Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning. Roethlisberger later made an appearance at Body English (Hard Rock Hotel) and Wade was with Gabrielle Union at Rain (Palms). ... Also at the Palms: Retired NHL star Adam Oates, at Nove Italiano; slugger Barry Bonds, with friends partying at the Playboy Club on Saturday and later at Moon; former University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian at N9NE Steakhouse. ... At Shecky Greene's performance Saturday at the Suncoast: Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and Lorraine and Dennis Bono. ... At The Bank (Bellagio) on Saturday: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, with Dirk Nowitzki and Brandon Bass, sharing a bottle of Rumplemintz. ... Sean "Diddy" Combs, at Sapphire men's club on Saturday with a group after earlier hosting at Wet Republic at MGM Grand. ... Baseball great Greg Maddux, at the Vinter Grill in a foursome on Friday.