THE LION KING Tour Breaks Box Office Records in Anchorage with $6.2 Million in Sales During its Six Week Engagement

Disney's THE LION KING set new box office records during its 6-week premiere engagement, ending October 11, at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, grossing $6.2 million and entertaining more than 85,000 people, a number equal to approximately 12 percent of the state's population.

Making a major economic impact on the city of Anchorage, it is estimated that theatergoers spent an additional $16 million with local businesses during the engagement.

"The nearly three years of preparations to bring THE LION KING to Anchorage has definitely been worth the hard work!" stated Jack Lucas, President, WestCoast Entertainment. "The overwhelmingly positive response from the audience night after night proves that this musical is loved and admired by all. At the end of each day, it is wonderful to know the people of Alaska have enjoyed world-class entertainment here in their own community. We extend our thanks to the City of Anchorage and the State of Alaska for a fabulous premiere engagement."

The touring production also celebrated its 3,000th performance during the Anchorage engagement, which marks the first time that Disney Theatrical Productions has ever presented a touring production in Alaska. After playing 56 cities across North America the touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 7 million theatergoers and grossed over $446 million to date.

"We are so proud to have shared the incredible experience of this groundbreaking production with audiences in Alaska, and to have entertained so many first-time and regular theatergoers," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic Touring, Disney Theatrical Productions. "Our partnership with West Coast Entertainment has allowed us to present THE LION KING in such diverse locations as Spokane, Honolulu and now Anchorage. We look forward to sharing this theatrical phenomenon with more cities throughout North America during the coming years."

THE LION KING begins performances in San Diego at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday, October 13 and plays through Sunday, November 8, 2009 and during the coming year will play return engagements in Spokane, WA and San Antonio, TX. Recently announced premiere engagements scheduled for 2010 include Madison, WI, Vancouver, B.C., and Salt Lake City, UT. For more details visit www.lionkingtour.com.

THE LION KING is the winner of over 70 major awards worldwide and has become a global phenomenon seen by over 50 million people. This North American Tour is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Paris.
A new production opened in May to excellent reviews at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and is currently playing to capacity crowds.

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 Grammy 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.

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