THE LION KING Returns To Toronto, Plays Princess Of Wales Theatre 4/19-5/22

Disney Theatrical Productions is delighted to announce the return of DISNEY'S THE LION KING to Toronto. The multi-award-winning, record-breaking musical comes back to the city where it had its Canadian premiere in April 2000 and played 1,560 performances (closing in January 2004). The engagement will be the North American National Touring company and will begin performances on April 19, 2011 for a limited five-week run at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the same venue where the Toronto production was originally housed.

"In all our years of producing and presenting theatre in Toronto, we have never had a show that was as beloved by as broad a demographic as THE LION KING," says David Mirvish. "When the musical originally opened at the very beginning of this new century, it brought generations together in the theatre. Young couples, families, groups of friends, parents out on ‘date nights,' everyone came to experience the magic that is THE LION KING - in total 2.9 million people in Toronto. And now a new generation will be able to share in that magic. THE LION KING remains one of the landmark theatrical performances of all time."

This North American National Tour is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and Las Vegas. Enjoying its eighth year on the road, THE LION KING continues to celebrate unparalleled achievements and delight new audiences in the U.S. and Canada. The touring production has been seen by over 12 million theatergoers and has grossed over $765 million to date. Taking the stage in all major U.S. cities including Chicago, San Francisco and even Honolulu and Anchorage, the Toronto engagement will not be the first Canadian visit. In the summer of 2009, THE LION KING played to sold-out audiences in Calgary and Edmonton, and will spend this July in Vancouver for a limited 4-week engagement.

THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. Now in its 13th year, THE LION KING is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

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, as well as Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

THE LION KING
April 19 - May 22, 2011 Princess of Wales Theatre
Group Tickets Now On Sale By Phone 416-593-4142 or 1-800 724-6420
Single Tickets Go On Sale November 29, 2010
Performance Schedule: Tues - Sat 7:30 PM; Sat 2:00 PM; Sun 1:00 & 6:30 PM;
Special Weekday Matinees Wed, April 20 & Wed, May 18 at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $25 to $120
Online at www.mirvish.com

Photo credit: Joan Marcus