Photo Flash: Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd Takes in THE LION KING

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd took in a performance of THE LION KING over the New Years weekend, giving his 2 young daughters the best Christmas gift any kid could ever get - thier first Broadway show. 

Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING, set a new box office record at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre by grossing $1,714,566 during the eight-performance Christmas holiday week of December 21-27, 2009. This breaks the previous Minskoff record of $1,692,957 set by THE LION KING only one month earlier during Thanksgiving week.

Earlier this fall, THE LION KING marked twelve years on Broadway and celebrated 5000 performances. THE LION KING is the ninth longest-running musical in Broadway history and the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now entering its 13th smash year, THE LION KING officially opened on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (previews began October 13) and has consistently been among Broadway's top five grossing shows. The show transferred to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. 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. The show has been seen in 13 different countries (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea) and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch). In addition to Broadway and a North American tour, THE LION KING can also be seen on stage in London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas. A new production will bow in Singapore in September 2010 - a first for Disney Theatrical Productions.

THE LION KING performs at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street, NYC). For tickets, show information and performance schedules, call Ticketmaster's Disney on Broadway hotline at 866-870-2717, or visit online, DisneyonBroadway.com.

Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Senator Chris Dodd, and daughter Grace

Senator Chris Dodd with daughter Grace, Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), daughter Christina, and wife Jackie Clegg Dodd

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