Jay Rifkin News

Last month, Chicago's St. James Cathedral announced its fourth summer of free concerts, the "Music in the Neighborhood" series. And for the third straight year, BroadwayWorld Chicago's Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, author of the weekly column, "The Showtune Mosh Pit," will be performing on the series! This year, Thompson's concert will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 5:30 pm at 65 E. Huron Street in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood. His show is called, 'This Is Not Over Yet: Broadway Songs of the Millennial Era (1995-2003)." And today, his set list is being released!

Disney's THE LION KING celebrated its second sold-out engagement in Nashville, which concluded on Sunday, June 2 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The triumphant four-week return grossed over $5.3 million at the box office and entertained more than 73,000 patrons during 32 performances. The show's six-week premiere engagement in 2006 played a sold-out run at TPAC.

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced that the Broadway musical The Lion King is returning to Honolulu, Hawaii in 2014. Watch below!

Disney's THE LION KING makes its South American premiere in São Paulo, Brazil. Presented by T4F (Time For Fun), the production opens tonight, March 26th, 2013 at the Teatro Renault. THE LION KING in São Paulo marks two firsts: the largest stage musical ever presented in Brazil and the first time the show has been performed in Portuguese. With this Brazilian production, THE LION KING will mark its 21st production worldwide, having played on six continents.

The Omaha return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orpheum Theater for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, April 7. In Omaha, THE LION KING plays Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. There will also be a special matinee at 2:00 pm. on Thursday, April 4. "Omahans are welcoming back this wonderful show in a big way," Joan Squires, President of Omaha Performing Arts said. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations but there are still good seats available," she added. "We have seats throughout the run of the show but especially in the later weeks, so check with our box office for best available seating."

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from tonight, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Disney Theatrical Productions will be hosting open auditions, seeking possible future replacements for the Broadway and Touring companies of The Lion King. Auditions for the adult roles of Simba and Nala will be held in Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Auditions for the roles of Young Simba and Young Nala will take place in New York City at the Apollo Theater.

Though there have been a few modifications to the tour over the last few years (the set design is slightly simpler and some moments have been cut for time) The Lion King is still majestic, astonishing, thrilling, and thoroughly entertaining.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from Wednesday, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

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.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, will host two principal actors from the hit musical as contestants today, December 10. Chantel Riley (Nala) and Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa) will play "Millionaire" as a two-person team and will donate their winnings to The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition. The duo is guaranteed to win a minimum of $10,000 for The Actors Fund.

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," with Emmy Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, will host two principal actors from the hit musical as contestants on Monday, December 10. Chantel Riley (Nala) and Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa) will play "Millionaire" as a two-person team and will donate their winnings to The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps professionals in performing arts and entertainment in times of need, crisis or transition. The duo is guaranteed to win a minimum of $10,000 for The Actors Fund.

'Live with Kelly and Michael's Michael Strahan just visited the show with his daughters and you can check out backstage photos below!

In celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of Broadway's landmark musical event The Lion King, cast members Alton Fitzgerald White, Chondra La-Tease Profit and Lindiwe Dlamini 'flipped the switch' and lit the world-famous Empire State Building's tower lights with the signature color of the production. The lights will shine yellow in honor of the anniversary today, December 4, 2012. Check out photos of the cast at the Empire State Building below!