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Disney's THE LION KING Comes to Detroit Opera House, Now thru 3/10
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 13, 2013
Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from tonight, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.
The production features Timothy Carter as "Scar", Dionne Randolph as "Mufasa", Buyi Zama as "Rafiki", Mark David Kaplan as "Zazu", Ben Lipitz as "Pumbaa", Nick Cordileone as "Timon", Jelani Remy as "Simba", Syndee Winters as "Nala", Keith Bennett as "Banzai", Rashada Dawan as "Shenzi" and Robbie Swift as "Ed."
The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.
In Detroit, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. There will also be matinees at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 14 and Thursday, March 7. There will not be an evening performance on March 10. Sunday, February 24 is a signed performance. Wednesday, February 20 is Kids Night with pre-show activities beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Detroit return at the Detroit Opera House. The current schedule is listed below.
Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, with a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, the title 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 #1 and #2 highest-grossing films in movie history, combined.
With eight productions currently playing around the world, it will make its South American and Portuguese language debut when it begins performances in Sao Paolo, Brazil in February 2013. With that production, THE LION KING's 21 productions will have played in 98 cities in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
As it enters its 16th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 20 global productions have been seen by more than 66 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 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, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), 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 and Madrid.
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.
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH JUNE 2013:
Austin - Bass Hall
January 16 - February 10, 2013
Detroit - Opera House
February 13 - March 10, 2013
Omaha - Orpheum Theatre
March 12 - April 7, 2013
Appleton - Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
April 9 - May 5, 2013
Nashville - Tennessee Performing Arts Center
May 7 - June 2, 2013
Tulsa - Tulsa Performing Arts Center
June 4 - June 30, 2013
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