THE LION KING Celebrates 13 Years On Broadway 11/13

Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING celebrates 13 years on Broadway on Saturday, November 13th at the Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC).

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING continues to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its 1997 Broadway premiere, 17 global productions have been seen by more than 54 million people, and grossed over $4.2 billion to date. It is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only five productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more, both on Broadway and in the West End. Translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch), the show has been performed in 13 different countries on five continents. THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway (its flagship production), on stages across North America, and in Las Vegas, London's West End, Hamburg and Tokyo. In March of 2011, an all-new production will bow in Singapore.

As it begins its 14th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant. For the 2010 fiscal year just ended, three of the show's six Current Productions (Broadway, London, Hamburg) had the highest grossing years ever in their respective lives, unprecedented this deep into any production's run.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King 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 "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy® Award-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

BROADWAY CAST
The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" is played by Gareth Saxe. Alton Fitzgerald White is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Tshidi Manye is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Cameron Pow portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu." Ben Jeffrey is the carefree warthog "Pumbaa" and Fred Berman is the wisecracking meerkat "Timon." Mufasa's son, "Simba," the lion prince born to be king, is played by Dashaun Young and Chaunteé Schuler is the loyal lioness "Nala."

The three evil hyenas are played by JAmes Brown-ORLEANS ("Banzai"), Bonita J. Hamilton ("Shenzi") and Enrique Segura ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Joshua Jackson and ALPHONSO ROMERO JONES II and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Khail Toi Bryant and Eden Sanaa DUNCAN-SMITH.

PRODUCTION HISTORY
The pre-Broadway engagement of THE LION KING had its world premiere on July 13, 1997 in Minneapolis at the historic Orpheum Theatre. The pre-Broadway engagement ran for eight weeks, closing on August 31, 1997. The show officially opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997.

THE LION KING moved in its entirety, including all 52-cast members and the entire 24-member orchestra, from the New Amsterdam Theatre on June 4, 2006, and began performances nine days later at its new home in the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.

TICKETING
For tickets, show information and performance schedule, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717 or visit online, LionKing.com.