DISNEY'S THE LION KING Returns to Dallas this October
By: Robert Diamond Sep. 14, 2013
Casting has been announced for the Dallas engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Dallas' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Music Hall at Fair Park stage from Wednesday, October 2 to Sunday, October 20. The press opening night is Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. The award-winning musical returns to Dallas following a six-week sold-out premiere engagement in 2002 and a successful five-week engagement in 2007 at the Music Hall.
The production features Patrick R. Brown as "Scar", L. Steven Taylor as "Mufasa", Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as "Rafiki", Andrew Gorell as "Zazu", Ben Lipitz as "Pumbaa", Nick Cordileone as "Timon", Dashaun Young as "Simba", Nia Holloway as "Nala", Keith Bennett as "Banzai", Rashada Dawan as "Shenzi" and Robbie Swift as "Ed."
The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Jordan Hall and Nathaniel McIntyre and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Nya Carter and Zyasia Page.
In Dallas, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and weekend and select Thursday matinees at 1:30 p.m. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at the DSM Box Office, 5959 Royal Lane, #5642 Preston Royal Shopping Center, and all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000, or via the Internet at www.ticketmaster.com. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 214-426-GROUP (4768).
The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Dallas and North Texas return at the Music Hall at Fair Park. The current schedule is listed below.
Wednesday, October 2 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 3 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 4 7:30 p.m. Press Opening
Saturday, October 5 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 6 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Monday, October 7 Dark
Tuesday, October 8 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 10 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 11 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 12 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 13 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Monday, October 14 Dark
Tuesday, October 15 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 16 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 17 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 18 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 1:30 p.m. last performance
ABOUT THE LION KING
In its 16th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant; it is the highest-grossing show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been seen by more than 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 104 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London's West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg, Madrid and Sao Paolo. To date, THE LION KING has played 98 cities in 17 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, with a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, the stage production of THE LION KING has already earned more than the biggest hit films in movie history: more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy combined, more than the six Star Wars films combined, and more than Avatar and Titanic, the two highest-grossing films in movie history, combined.
The award-winning musical will celebrate a new milestone in December 2013 when it returns to Australia, making it the tenth concurrent worldwide production of THE LION KING, the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show's history.
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. 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.
The show's director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show's ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show in Las Vegas, Madrid and the UK tour and just completed casting the Brazilian production in Sao Paolo.
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."
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: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.
For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.
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