Disney's THE LION KING Sells Out Tampa Engagement

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Tampa, which concluded on Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. The triumphant four-week return grossed more than $5.6 million at the box office and entertained nearly 75,000 patrons during 32 performances.

It is estimated that the Tampa engagement of THE LION KING generated a $20 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 3.66 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"We are always thrilled to bring The Lion King to Tampa," said Straz Center President and CEO Judy Lisi. "This phenomenal show has an immediate economic impact on our community, bringing thousands to the downtown corridor to eat, shop and play. And, it stimulates a new generation of theatregoers who will certainly come back again and again."

"We thank the people of Tampa and St. Pete and our partners at the Straz Center for another sensational engagement," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are humbled by the extraordinary and enduring audience response and look forward to returning to the great city of Tampa."

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. After 14 years on the road, THE LION KING continues to play to standing-room-only houses throughout North America. The current tour route is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 19th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on Nov. 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 80 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; Melbourne, Australia; Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine 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.

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