THE LION KING Sells Out Boston Engagement

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Boston, which concluded on Sunday, October 12 at The Boston Opera House. Heralded as a "visual feast" by the Boston Globe, the triumphant five-week return grossed over $8.8 million at the box office and entertained more than 94,000 patrons during 40 performances, one of which was tailored to the needs of patrons on the autism spectrum.

It is estimated that the Boston engagement of THE LION KING generated a $28 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 3.27 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"It was only fitting that the 10th Broadway Season at the Boston Opera House began with Disney's THE LION KING, the show that opened a new chapter for the venerable theatre following its celebrated restoration back in 2004, playing a major role in the evolution of Washington Street," said Rich Jaffe, President of Broadway In Boston. "Undoubtedly THE LION KING is a special show here in Boston and a new generation has just experienced Broadway's best. There's an ongoing conversation about the role of the Arts within a city and this newly released information can only testify to how important that role truly is in terms of economic impact. These figures directly represent spending that stimulates an economy, jobs created within a local market and the vibrant and essential cultural community in the city of Boston. It's a great way to start our 2014-2015 Season."

"It is sincerely gratifying to see that the response to THE LION KING is just as strong as when this theatrical phenomenon first premiered in Boston 10 years ago, when it proudly re-opened the Boston Opera House after its historic renovation," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We were thrilled to play our third autism-friendly performance outside of New York City and thank our partners at Broadway in Boston for their tireless commitment to this important initiative. Boston has earned a special place in the history of THE LION KING and we look forward to returning to this fantastic city in the near future."

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. After 12 years on the road, THE LION KING continues to play to standing room only houses throughout North America.

In its 17th year, THE LION KING remains 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 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 106 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 seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, London's West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Australia and on tour across North America, the U.K., and Japan. The Australian production marks the tenth concurrent worldwide production of THE LION KING, the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show's history. Having played 19 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.