Disney's THE LION KING to Return to San Diego This Fall

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway/San Diego 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, April 15th at 10am. San Diego's most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Civic Theatre stage on Wednesday, September 7th for a limited engagement of 4 weeks through Sunday, October 2nd. The opening night is Thursday, September 8th at 7:30pm.

In San Diego, THE LION KING will play Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:00pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 1pm & 6:30pm. There will be 1:00pm matinee performances on Thursday, September 8 and Thursday, September 29. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Beginning Friday, April 15th, tickets will be available at the Civic Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster, and online at www.broadwaysd.com/the-lion-king. To charge tickets, call The San Diego Civic Theatre Box Office (Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm). Orders for groups of ten (10) or more may be placed by calling (619) 564-3001.

Ticket buyers are reminded that Broadway/San Diego, Ticketmaster and the San Diego Civic Theatre Box Office are the only official ticket outlets for all performances at the Civic Theatre. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that Broadway/San Diego is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 17 million theatergoers and grossed over $1.2 billion to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its San Diego return at the Civic Theatre. The current tour route is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 19th year, THE LION KING continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 85 million people. 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, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of eight productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 20 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 associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

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