Disney Honors Omaha Performing Arts for Successful Runs of THE LION KING and More

Omaha Performing Arts received a special tribute from Disney Theatrical Productions to commemorate years of successful engagements in Omaha, including the recent record-breaking return of Disney's THE LION KING. Omaha is one of the first cities in the United States to receive this recognition. A handcrafted lioness mask was specially made for the occasion and is a replica of the one originally created by renowned designer, Michael Curry and the Tony-Award winning director of Disney's The Lion King, Julie Taymor. This rare award is Disney's method of honoring outstanding achievement by the presenting organizations in markets where the production has played.

The mask, encased in Lucite, carries the inscription: "Lioness Mask presented to Omaha Performing Arts in recognition of 32 sold-out performances of THE LION KING, March 12 - April 7, 2013." It was unveiled at the annual Omaha Performing Arts' Ambassadors Appreciation dinner at the Orpheum Theater, Wednesday, August 21 and mounted on an Orpheum lobby wall. Omaha Performing Arts Board Members Richard Holland and David Slosburg and members of the Ambassadors and Omaha Performing Arts staff were in attendance. Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts, served as m.c.

The Omaha four-week return engagement of THE LION KING grossed $5,621,022 at the box office and entertained more than 79,000 patrons, breaking the Orpheum Theater's house record and making it the highest-grossing theatrical production in Omaha history. The previous record also was set by THE LION KING when the production grossed $5,506,480 during its five- week premiere engagement in 2007. It is estimated that the Omaha engagement of THE LION KING generated a $19 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 Touring Broadway League report which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.5 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

Disney Theatrical Production first came to Omaha's Orpheum Theater with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in 2001. Its relationship with Omaha Performing Arts began with the premiere of THE LION KING in 2007 and continued with MARY POPPINS in 2011 and the return of THE LION KING in 2013. In total, Disney's four engagements have entertained more than 246,000 guests during 108 performances. The two runs of THE LION KING alone have been seen by over 170,000 guests during nine weeks of performances.

"I want to congratulate the extraordinary staff of Omaha Performing Arts on yet another exceptional season, which included the triumphant record-breaking return engagement of Disney's The Lion King," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions, in a prepared statement. "Working and collaborating with Omaha Performing Arts' remarkable staff and volunteers have always been a sincere pleasure for us at Disney Theatrical Productions, and we hope this tribute will serve as a reminder of their outstanding work and our deepest appreciation."

"We are especially grateful to Disney to be able to bring THE LION KING back to Omaha and appreciate their recognition of our work," Joan Squires, Omaha Performing Arts president, said. "We have enjoyed working with Disney Theatrical Productions and look forward to many more opportunities. On behalf of everyone at Omaha Performing Arts I want to thank Disney for their kind words about us. I also want to thank everyone on our incredible and talented staff that played such a major role in this success. A special thank you also to our partner Broadway Across America who works closely with us to bring the finest in touring Broadway productions to Omaha," she added.

"A very big thank you and special recognition goes to the community for its overwhelming support of Omaha Performing Arts and in particular THE LION KING," she added. "It's fitting that the mask could be unveiled with the Ambassadors present. Three hundred eighty three Ambassadors worked 6,804 hours on the 32 LION KING performances," she said. "In addition to the Ambassadors, I want to thank our outstanding staff, the local professional stage and production crews, outside vendors and the caterers, all of whom put in thousands of hours to make this return engagement such an incredible success."

The North American touring productions of Disney's THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. The production has played in more than 70 cities across North America. In its 16th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant; it is the highest-grossing Broadway 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.

Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the citizens of Omaha and surrounding communities. In its two venues: the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, the organization presents the best of Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment. Omaha Performing Arts also offers a range of educational programs and free community events that support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. In addition, the organization provides comprehensive ticketing services through Ticket Omaha, the official ticket retailer for the Orpheum and Holland.

Omaha Performing Arts' performances are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, as well as corporate sponsors, private donors and foundations. For more information, visit OmahaPerformingArts.org.

Pictured: RosaLee Roberts, public relations consultant; Joan Squires, Omaha Performing Arts president; D. David Slosburg, Omaha Performing Arts Board member; Joni Fuchs, front of house coordinator; Ashley Voorhees, Omaha Performing Arts director of patron services; Trisha Hoffman-Ahrens, Omaha Performing Arts vice president of marketing and communications and Richard Holland, Omaha Performing Arts Board member.

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