THE LION KING EdmontonTix Go On Sale 4/4, Runs 7/2-8/2

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway Across Canada announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of DISNEY'S THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 7:00 a.m. Edmonton's most eagerly awaited stage production begins performances at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on Thursday, July 2, 2009 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 2, 2009. The opening night is Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. This North American National Tour is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and Fukuoka. A new sit-down production will begin performances in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on May 5.

Ticket buyers are invited to special box office opening festivities on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Beat the rush for tickets and enjoy special perks including:
• Access to the best seats in the house for each performance prior to the public on sale;
• Multiple Ticketmaster agents available to assist in selecting seats and processing orders;
• The FIRST ticket purchaser in line receives a deluxe gift package from DISNEY'S THE LION KING;
• A special gift from DISNEY'S THE LION KING for all ticket purchasers, while supplies last;
• Group sales representatives on site to process orders of more than 20 tickets;
• Games and special activities for the entire family - including animal demonstrations from the Edmonton Valley Zoo!

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.

In Edmonton, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m.; Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and a Thursday July 30th matinee at 2:00pm. Ticket prices range from $26.15 to $96.15. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available for $137.15. Beginning Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.ca and to charge by phone, call Ticketmaster at 780-451-8000. Orders for groups of twenty (20) or more may be placed by calling 800-889-8457.

The Edmonton engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Broadway Across Canada and is a subscription offering of the 2009 - 2010 Series.