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Producers of Disney's The Lion King in South Africa have announced that due to tremendous public response, the production will be extended until December 2nd. The show opened on June 6th in Johannesburg and was originally scheduled to end on October 7th. It is the first American musical to be re-produced and extended in South Africa.
Additionally, beginning this week, Telkom, the principal sponsor of the production, is also joining with The Walt Disney Company to make it possible for 38,000 children and teenagers the opportunity to see the show at no charge. Twenty matinee performances will be performed exclusively for students from 40 schools in the townships and communities around Johannesburg. The students will be part of a special theatre and music study program culminating in their visit to the show.
The South African production celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the opening of The Lion King on Broadway, which will be celebrated Sunday, November 11.
Produced by Thomas Schumacher, President, Disney Theatrical Productions, along with South African co-producers Lebo M, international recording artist and co-composer of The Lion King, and Pieter Toerien, veteran theatre producer, The Lion King is directed by Tony Award® winning director, Julie Taymor. The production is supported by principal sponsor Telkom (SA Ltd) and media sponsor South African Broadcasting Corporation.
The cast of the new production is entirely made up of South African performers, many of whom have been in other productions of The Lion King around the world and are now coming home to perform in their native country. To date, The Lion King has employed almost 100 South Africans in its productions worldwide. Also tonight, Deputy President Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will dedicate the beautiful theatre built by Tsogo Sun. The remarkable 1850-seat Teatro Montecasino was designed specially with The Lion King in mind and now South Africa has a new, state-of-the-art venue that will welcome Broadway and London shows for decades to come.
Press notes state, "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 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. The winner of over 70 major awards worldwide, The Lion King has garnered 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. In addition to the Broadway production in New York City, The Lion King can also currently be seen in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Seoul and two touring companies throughout the United States."Visit www.disneyonbroadway.com for more on The Lion King.
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