El Capitan Celebrates Earth Day With AFRICAN CATS, 4/22

Hollywood's legendary El Capitan Theatre celebrates Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 2011, with the debut of AFRICAN CATS, an extraordinary new film from Disneynature, the studio that presented the record-breaking films "Oceans" and "Earth." An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, AFRICAN CATS captures the real-life love, humor, and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The El Capitan engagement will run from April 22nd through May 18th.

Live on Stage
At every showing of AFRICAN CATS, the El Capitan has invited the Wildlife Learning Center to showcase a handful of exotic animals in their care with "Exotic Animals From Around the World," a presentation live on the El Capitan Stage. The "Animal Guys" from the WLC have rescued more than 70 different species of captive-born wild animals and make it their mission to get children excited about the natural world around them. The Wildlife Learning Center also wants to help educate a generation of children to value their natural heritage, to value the environment, and to value all living things.

"See ‘African Cats,' Save the Savanna"
In addition, everyone who buys a ticket to see the film during opening week (April 22 to 28, 2011) of AFRICAN CATS can help "Save the Savanna." Disneynature will make a donation in honor of each moviegoer to protect lions and cheetahs and the land they call their home.

Commenting on the announcement, Lylle Breier, senior vice president of worldwide special events for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures said, "In keeping with our traditions of making a visit to the El Capitan unforgettable and honoring Earth Day each year, we are delighted to welcome back our exotic live animals presentation, featuring everything from the red-tailed hawk to the African Serval wildcat. And we're proud to help increase awareness for our world's precious resources and the species that depend on them by helping to save the savanna on behalf of our patrons. Disney has a great legacy of creating groundbreaking nature films, and this third movie from Disneynature builds upon that foundation and takes it to new heights. The El Capitan is the perfect place to experience this amazing film with its state-of-the-art digital projection."

On Display
The El Capitan will also showcase an educational exhibit featuring fun information about lions and cheetahs, how researchers study lions and cheetahs in the wild and what The Walt Disney Company is doing to protect African cats and their savanna home all developed and written by educators at Disney's Animal Kingdom. There will also be a display of original artwork inspired by the film from award winning Disney animator Andreas Deja.

Deja was the supervising animator of some of the most memorable Disney villains: Gaston from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award, Jafar in ALADDIN and Scar from THE LION KING, which was one of the highest-grossing films of all time. He also animated Roger Rabbit from WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, King Triton from THE LITTLE MERMAID, the title character from HERCULES, Lilo from LILO & STITCH, and Queen Narissa from ENCHANTED. In addition,he is the supervising animator for Tigger in the upcoming "Winnie the Pooh." He is the current resident specialist for the animation of Mickey Mouse. Disneynature is proud to have Andreas interpret African Cats with this stunning series of original art work directly inspired by the film. Andreas has long been known for his beautiful gestural drawings and paintings of big cats that capture their spirit of wildness and innate nobility.

Showtimes
Daily showtimes are: 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 3:45 pm, 7:00 pm, and 9:35 pm. Tickets are available at the El Capitan Theatre box office (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at www.elcapitantickets.com <http://www.elcapitantickets.com> , or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group rates for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110.

The El Capitan Theatre will also have a special "Tiny Tot Tuesday" on Tuesday, April 26, at 10:00am only. During this special screening of AFRICAN CATS parents and small children can enjoy the movie in a "Tiny Tot" friendly way - complete with lights dimmed rather than out and reduced sound levels!

About "African Cats"

An epic true story set against the backdrop of one of the wildest places on Earth, "African Cats" captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. Narrated by Oscar®-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, the story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother's strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a rival lion and his sons. Disneynature brings "The Lion King" to life on the big screen in this True Life Adventure directed by Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill ("Earth"). An awe-inspiring adventure blending family bonds with the power and cunning of the wild, "African Cats" leaps into El Capitan Theater on Earth Day, April 22, 2011.

SEE ‘AFRICAN CATS,' SAVE THE SAVANNA
During the film's opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week's ticket sales will be donated to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to ensure the future of lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the vibrant African savanna. The AWF will be working to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife. For more information about the movie and the "See ‘African Cats,' Save the Savanna" initiative, check out Disney.com/AfricanCats <http://disney.go.com/disneynature/africancats> .

 

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