Rafiki Caricature Added to on Sardi's Wall, Nov.9

The Lion King's Thsidi Manye, will unveil 'Rafiki,' the newest caricature to hang on the walls of world famous Sardi's Restaurant on Friday, November 9. Rafiki will join the Beast from Beauty and the Beast and Phantom from The Phantom of the Opera as the only characters from Broadway musicals to be immortalized on the walls of Sardi's.

Disney's The Lion King celebrates its 10th Anniversary on Broadway Sunday, November 11 with a gala performance at the Minskoff Theatre.  Since its Broadway opening on November 13, 1997 (preview performances began October 15, 1997), The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. In addition to New York City where the show has remained among the top 5 selling shows on Broadway for 10 years, the curtain of The Lion King currently rises seven more times every night all over the world in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Paris, and two touring companies throughout the United States.

In addition to New York City where the show has remained among the top 5 selling shows on Broadway for 10 years, the curtain of The Lion King currently rises seven more times every night all over the world in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Paris, and two touring companies throughout the United States. Worldwide, the show has been seen by over 45 million people and has grossed over $3 billion.

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 and music from an album inspired by the animated film, "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of The Lion King score is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, embracing the Academy award-winning "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" and the haunting "Shadowlands."   

Julie Taymor, along with Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King.  Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; Lighting design is by Donald Holder; Costume design is by Julie Taymor.  Choreography is by Garth Fagan.  The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay of The Lion King.

Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy, sound design; Michael Ward, hair and makeup design; Jay Binder, casting; Joseph Church, music director; Robert Elhai, David Metzger and Bruce Fowler, orchestrators.

The Lion King plays Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 1 PM and 6:30 PM.  Running time for the production is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Tickets for The Lion King are available at www.DisneyOnBroadway.com, the Minskoff Theatre Box Office, and all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at (212) 307-4747.  Prices range from $51.25-$121.25.  For group sales and information please call (800)439-9000. www.DisneyOnBroadway.com