The Lion King Begins Shanghai Performances, July 18

The Lion King will begin performances at Shanghai's Grand Theatre, July 18th. The production will play for 100 performances.

The engagement is presented by The Shanghai Grand Theatre in association with The Walt Disney Company, who are the title sponsors of the production. Special support has also been provided from the China Culture Development Fund, with media support from Wenhui-Xinmin United Press Group.

"The award-winning stage version of The Lion King made a spectacular debut when it opened on Broadway in 1997. Expanded from the blockbuster Disney film, the stage version amazed critics and audiences alike with its artistic achievements and stagecraft. It has now been seen by over 34 million people worldwide with sell-out productions mounted in cities such as London, Tokyo, Toronto, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Sydney and Melbourne," according to notes on the show.

The production opening in Shanghai most recently played to sold-out audiences in Australia. The international cast, with 52 performers from 12 countries, includes 8 performers from South Africa. It takes 136 people to put the show on every night and the physical set traveled to Shanghai in two specially commissioned 747 air freighters.

"The Lion King follows the adventures of lion cub Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of manhood and his future role as king."  The Lion King is the winner of six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album of 1998.

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 show. 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. 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, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

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