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Irene Mecchi

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BIO

Irene Mecci began her association with Disney in March 1992, when she wrote Recycle Rex, an animated short, which won the 1994 Environmental Media Award. Irene is a co-writer of Disney’s animated features The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Along with co-author Roger Allers, she received a 1998 Tony® nomination for writing the book for The Lion King. Irene wrote the teleplay for “Annie,” which aired on ABC. Irene is developing an animated film at Pixar, a television adaptation of Broadway’s classic musical, Peter Pan and has a production company which is acquiring literary material written for young adults in order to produce a slate of

Productions

 
[Motion Picture, 2014]
Author (Teleplay)
 
[US Tour, 2002]
Bookwriter

Writing

Source Material
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Irene Mecchi, The Lion King

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Book of a Musical

Irene Mecchi, The Lion King

Videos

News


THE LION KING in Kansas City Tickets Go on Sale This Week

Tickets for the return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King in Kansas Citywill go on sale to the public this week. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
Video: Inside THE LION KINGOpening Night in Toronto

The Lion King has opened in Toronto.  On opening night, the Princess of Wales Theatre hosted celebrities and returning cast members from the 2000 engagement of the show. Check out the video here!
THE LION KING on Broadway Will Its Celebrate 27th Anniversary Tomorrow

The Lion King will celebrate its 27th anniversary on Broadway on Wednesday, November 13th. Learn more about the show and its history, as well as the historic milestone, here!
Video: HERCULES UK Star Luke Brady Sings 'Go the Distance'

Luke Brady will play the title role in Hercules which begins next year in London's West End. Get a first look at the music video for 'Go the Distance' featuring Brady here! 
HERCULES Finds Its West End Star, Luke Brady

Luke Brady will star in the title role in Disney's HERCULES, opening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2025. The production features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, and a brand-new book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah. Learn how to purchase tickets.
La exposición del 30 aniversaro de EL REY LE"N abre en Madrid

A partir de hoy 1 de noviembre el Espacio Cultural Serrería Belga de Madrid acoge la exposición del 30 aniversario de EL REY LEÓN, que recoge los principales hitos del universo de la franquicia desde el clásico animado hasta el próximo estreno de MUFASA.
Disney's THE LION KING Returns To The Bushnell In November

Disney's THE LION KING returns to The Bushnell on November 13.
Photos: DISNEY'S THE LION KING Celebrates 25 Years In The West End With A Special Third Act

Disney’s THE LION KING celebrated 25 triumphant years in the West End’s Lyceum Theatre on the afternoon of Sunday, 20 October with a special gala performance attended by the original creatives of the show including Julie Taymor, Lebo M, Richard Hudson, Irene Mecchi, Roger Allers and Donald Holder. Check out photos from the event here!
Disney's THE LION KING On Sale At the Broward Center in Fort Lauderdale Tomorrow

Experience the magic of DISNEY'S THE LION KING as it returns to Fort Lauderdale.
Disney's THE LION KING On Sale At Miller Auditorium Next Week

Tickets for Disney’s THE LION KING at Miller Auditorium in Kalamazoo will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Review: DISNEY'S THE LION KING at Peace Center

The crown jewel of Broadway roars into upstate South Carolina
New Cast Members Will Join THE LION KING North American Tour

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome Darnell Abraham as Mufasa, Juson Williams as Pumbaa, Erick D. Patrick as Simba, Thembelihle Cele as Nala and Sam Linda as Ed. Learn more about the cast here!
THE LION KING Will Welcome New Young Simba and Young Nala Next Week

The Lion King will welcome Austin Elle Fisher as “Young Nala” and Jacob Pham as “Young Simba” beginning Tuesday, August 20. Learn more about the new members of the cast here!
Video: Meet The Monster Puppets of Disney's HERCULES in Hamburg

Watch as puppet designer James Ortiz talks about bringing the monsters of Hercules to life on stage in the Hamburg production, directed by Casey Nicholaw in this all-new video.
Tickets for Disney's THE LION KING at the Fox Theatre to go on Sale This Month

Tickets for Disney's THE LION KING at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta go on sale this month. Learn how to purchase tickets.
SiriusXM'S Disney Hits Channel Airs THE LION KING Special With Elton John, Tim Rice, Thomas Schumacher, & More

SiriusXM’s Disney Hits (channel 133) has aired a one-hour special celebrating the making of “The Lion King’s” Film and Original Soundtrack. The making of special features behind the scenes anecdotes in exclusive interviews with Sir Elton John, Sir Tim Rice, Film Producers Don Hahn & Thomas Schumacher, and more. Listen exclusively on the SiriusXM app starting now, and on-air on SiriusXM’s Disney Hits, Saturday, June 8th at 4pm EST. 
Review: THE LION KING National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center

Based on Disney’s 1994 animated film musical of the same name, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is supposed to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of Pride Rock. But when Simba's uncle, Scar, kills Mufasa, Simba runs away from home after being tricked into thinking that he was responsible. As he comes of age, Simba learns some valuable perspective to go back and take his rightful place as King.
Video: Watch All New Clips From Disney's HERCULES in Hamburg

All new footage has been released from the world premiere of the new production of Disney's Hercules in Hamburg, directed by Casey Nicholaw. Check out the video here!
THE LION KING Tour Celebrates 22nd Anniversary in Minneapolis This Weekend

The North American tour of Disney's The Lion King will celebrate its 22nd anniversary on Saturday, April 27 in Minneapolis. The Lion King has returned to Minneapolis' historic Orpheum Theatre, where the Tony Award-winning Best Musical played its pre-Broadway run in 1997, and where the touring production is currently entertaining capacity houses through Sunday, April 28. 
THE LION KING North American Tour to Celebrate 22nd Anniversary

The North American tour of Disney's The Lion King will celebrate its 22nd anniversary on Saturday, April 27 in Minneapolis. Learn more about the show!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Irene Mecchi written?

Irene Mecchi has written 1 shows including The Lion King (Source Material).

What awards has Irene Mecchi been nominated for?

Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Lion King.

What awards has Irene Mecchi won?

Irene Mecchi has won the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King.

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