THE LION KING Tour Sells Out Des Moines Engagement

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Des Moines, which concluded on Sunday, May 17 at the Des Moines Civic Center. The triumphant three-week return grossed over $4.1 million at the box office and entertained nearly 60,000 patrons during 24 performances.

It is estimated that the Des Moines engagement of THE LION KING generated a $14 million economic benefit to the city from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Broadway League report on touring shows which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact of roughly 3 ½ times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"We are thrilled with this fantastic return of THE LION KING in Des Moines!" says Jeff Chelesvig, Des Moines Performing Arts President and CEO. "As it did with previous engagements in 2006 and 2010, THE LION KING impacted our community in so many positive ways beyond the stage - economically, culturally and with our quality of life."

"We were delighted to return to the great city of Des Moines and to once again share this groundbreaking production with so many first-time and returning theatergoers," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We thank the entire Iowan community as well as our partners at the Civic Center at Des Moines Performing Arts for another sensational sold-out engagement and look forward to returning in the future."

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. After 13 years on the road, THE LION KING continues to play to standing room only houses throughout North America.

In its 18th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 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 seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Brisbane, Australia; Basel, Switzerland; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office 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 around the world.

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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