Dionne Randolph News

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.

Casting has been announced for the San Francisco return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. San Francisco's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the SHN Orpheum Theatre stage from Thursday, November 1, 2012 to Sunday, January 13, 2013. THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43-week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004.

The Albuquerque premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, October 4 at 7:30pm at Popejoy Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through October 28, 2012. In Albuquerque, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday evenings at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and Sundays at 1:00pm and 6:30pm. There will be a 1:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, October 11. "Albuquerque has received The Lion King with open arms," said Tom Tkach, Director of Popejoy Hall. "Though we have sold out of several performances, tickets may still be purchased, with weeknight performances having the best availability."

The Wichita premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, September 7, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. at Century II Concert Hall for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, September 30, 2012. In Wichita, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday nights at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a special matinee performance on Thursday, September 27 at 1:00 p.m. There will not be an evening performance on Sunday, September 30. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations, but there are still great seats available! Thanks to this amazing Broadway touring company and the City of Wichita, which has done such a beautiful job getting Century II ready for THE LION KING," said Mark Edleman, President of Theater League.

Translating an animated feature to the musical stage is a daunting challenge. Really, any film, even with actors who are drawn onto cells, usually makes a rocky transition. That's what makes THE LION KING so disarming and dazzling in its conception and execution. The techniques and ideas pioneered here in the Tony Award-winning show have since been used elsewhere, but they still manage to excite and enthrall an audience, and that's a credit to all the skilled technicians and actors who make these characters come to life. The current production playing the Fox is a magical ride that must be taken, and it's easily an "E" ticket (if you remember those days at the Disney fun parks).

The St. Louis return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, August 16 at 8pm at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, September 2.

THE LION KING definitely roared into Houston.

The Houston return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hobby Center for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. St. Louis's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Fox Theatre stage from Wednesday, August 15 to Sunday September 2. The press opening night is Thursday, August 16 at 8:00pm.

The Greenville premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, June 14 at 7:30pm at the Peace Center for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, July 8. In Greenville, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm, Sunday evenings at 6:30pm, Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm. There will be a 7:30pm performance on Monday, July 2 and a 2:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, July 5. There will not be a performance on Wednesday, July 4.

Casting has been announced for the Houston engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Houston's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Hobby Center stage from Tuesday, July 10 to Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

On Sunday, May 27, Miami Heat basketball player Dwyane Wade and actress Gabrielle Union attended a performance of Disney's The Lion King at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. See a photo of the pair with Sydnee Winters (Nala) and Jelani Remi (Simba) below!

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

The Miami premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, June 10. THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. with an additional performance on Friday, June 8 at 2 p.m.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the sixth longest running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years.