Disney's THE LION KING North American Tour Celebrates Sold-Out Engagement in Jacksonville

Disney's The Lion King continues to reign across North America with a sold-out run in Jacksonville. The two-week return engagement at TheTimes-Union Center grossed over $3.1 million at the box office and entertained more than 44,000 theatergoers during 16 performances. This engagement was the second time for the show at The Times-Union Center.

It is estimated that the Jacksonville engagement of The Lion King generated an economic benefit of more than $10 million to the city from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Touring Broadway League report which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.52 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"Based on our previous experience with the show and its history in other North American cities, we knew that Jacksonville would respond," said Dr. Milt Russos, executive director of the FSCJ Artist Series/Broadway in Jacksonville. "The response was overwhelming and far exceeded our expectations; we are delighted that so many enjoyed the production. It was an exciting two weeks for Jacksonville and we look forward to further expanding our relationship with Disney Theatricals."

"We thank the Jacksonville community and our partners at the FSCJ Artist Series and Broadway Across America for another sensational, sold-out engagement," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are humbled by the enduring and extraordinary audience response and look forward to returning to Jacksonville in the future."

The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 19 million theatergoers in over 70 cities throughout North America.

ABOUT THE LION KING

20 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 24 global productions have been seen by more than 95 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the only show in history to generate six productions worldwide running 15 or more years. Performed in eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo and Sapporo; Madrid; Scheveningen, Holland; and on tour across North America, for a total of eight productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 19 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 co-producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

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