THE LION KING Opens Tonight In Anchorage At The Alaska Center For The Performing Arts, Runs Thru 10/11

The Anchorage premiere engagement of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, September 4 at 8pm at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts for a limited engagement of 6 weeks through October 11, 2009. This Anchorage engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Paris. A new sit-down production in Las Vegas began performances at the Mandalay Bay Theatre in May 2009. In Anchorage, THE LION KING plays Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm, and Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. Matinee performances on Saturdays are at 2pm and Sundays at 1pm. A special weekday performances will take place on Thursday, October 8 at 2pm.

The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" will be played by Timothy Carter. Dionne Randolph will play the role of the regal lion king "Mufasa." Phindile Mkhize-a native of Durban, South Africa-is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." The wisecracking and hyperactive meerkat "Timon" will be played by Tyler Murree, Tony Freeman will portray the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu," and Bob Amaral will play the warm-hearted warthog "Pumbaa." Mufasa's son, "Simba," will be played by André Jackson. Marja Harmon is the courageous and loyal lioness "Nala." The three hyenas will be played by: Omari Tau ("Banzai"), Andrea Jones ("Shenzi"), and Ben Roseberry ("Ed"). Performances in the role of "Young Simba" will be alternated between Chaz Marcus Fleming and Jerome Stephens, Jr.. And performances in the role of "Young Nala" will be alternated between Sadé Louann Murray and Jamariana Tribble.

Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, THE LION KING is the winner of six Tonyâ Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammyâ Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for THE LION KING. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

Tickets to THE LION KING are available at the CenterTix Box Office, by calling at 907-263-ARTS (907-263-2787), or via the Internet at www.centertix.net. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $22.50. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.

The Anchorage engagement of Disney's THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with WestCoast Entertainment, is sponsored locally by AT&T, and is a subscription offering of the Anchorage Concert Association.

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