The Lion King Roars into the Academy of Music - Tickets on Sale 11/6

Disney Theatrical Productions and the Kimmel Center announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's The Lion King will go on sale to the public on Friday, Nov. 6 at 10am. Philadelphia's most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Academy of Music stage on March 23 for a limited engagement of five weeks through April 24. The opening night is March 25 at 7:30pm. This North American Tour is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris, and a new sit-down production in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Theatre.

Ticket prices start as low as $23. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10am to 6pm) or on performance days only at the Academy of Music box office. Groups of 20 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883.

Performance Schedule: Tuesday – Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8pm; Sunday evenings at 6:30pm; matinees Saturdays at 2pm, Sundays at 1pm and weekday matinees on Thursday, April 15 and Thursday, April 22 at 1pm.

Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, The Lion King is the winner of six Tony® Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy® Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for The Lion King. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the 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.

The Broadway Series is presented by the Kimmel Center in association with The Shubert Organization and is sponsored by Citibank with support provided by American Airlines.

In addition to Disney's The Lion King, 2009-2010 Broadway Series productions at the Academy of Music, Forrest Theatre and Merriam Theater will include: Mamma Mia! (Nov. 3 – 8); Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Nov. 24 – Dec. 6); August: Osage County (April 27 – May 2) at the Forrest Theatre; Avenue Q (June 18 – 20); and Dreamgirls (June 21 – 27).

Additional Broadway Series productions at the Academy of Music include: The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis (Nov.14); RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles(Feb. 2 – 6) . Productions at the Merriam Theater include The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (Feb. 9 – 14); ANNIE (Feb. 26 – 28); GROOVALOO:The Hip Hop Experience (March 9 – 14); and Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance (May 14 – 16).

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