THE LION KING to Become Eight Longest-Running Show in Broadway History

Disney's landmark musical event, The Lion King, will celebrate another remarkable milestone when it plays its 5,125th performance on Sunday, February 21 to become the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history. The Lion King moves up the top ten list of long runs, surpassing the musical Rent (with 5124 performances). Disney's beloved musical Beauty and the Beast retains its position as no. 7 on the list.

As of February 21, the list of the top ten longest running Broadway shows will be as follows (bolded titles with asterisk denote productions currently running):
1. *The Phantom of the Opera (9,179)
2. Cats (7,485)
3. Les Miserables (6,680)
4. A Chorus Line (6,137)
5. Oh! Calcutta (5,959)
6. *CHICAGO (5,508)
7. Beauty and the Beast (5,461)
8. *The Lion King (5,125)
9. Rent (5,124)
10. Miss Saigon (4,097)

Last year, The Lion King marked twelve years on Broadway and became the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now in 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). Now through September 5, 2010, the playing schedule is: Tuesday-7pm early evening, Wednesday-2pm matinee, Wednesday-8pm, Thursday-8pm, Friday-8pm, Saturday-2pm matinee, Saturday-8pm, Sunday-3pm matinee.

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