Disney's THE LION KING Comes to Boston Opera House, Now thru 10/12

The Boston engagement of Disney's The Lion King. Boston's most eagerly awaited stage production returns to the Boston Opera House stage runs today, September 9 to October 12 as part of the 2014-2015 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

The production features Patrick R. Brown as "Scar", L. Steven Taylor as "Mufasa", Tshidi Manye as "Rafiki", Drew Hirshfield as "Zazu", Ben Lipitz as "Pumbaa", Nick Cordileone as "Timon", Jelani Remy as "Simba", Nia Holloway as "Nala", Keith Bennett as "Banzai", Rashada Dawan as "Shenzi" and Robbie Swift as "Ed."

The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Jordan A. Hall and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Nya Cymone Carter and Tyrah Skye Odoms.

The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, The Lion King now makes its Boston return at the Boston Opera House.

Tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased through an authorized ticket seller found only at Ticketmaster 866-870-2717, and by visiting www.LionKing.com. Tickets will also be sold directly at the Boston Opera House Box Office, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm). Season Series patrons interested in tickets should call Broadway In Boston directly at 1-866-523-7469 and for Member tickets please call 1-866-551-7469. For groups of 10+, call Broadway In Boston Group Sales directly at 617-482-8616 or email Groups@broadwayinboston.com.

Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm (Please note: There is an added performance on Thurs. Oct. 9th @1pm), Fridays at 8:00pm (Please note: Friday Sept. 12 will be at 7:30pm), Saturdays at 2:00pm & 8:00pm (Please note: Autism-friendly performance on Sat, Oct 11th @2pm) and Sundays at 1:00pm & 6:30pm. Tickets starting at $33.

In its 17th year, The Lion King remains ascendant; it is the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 70 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 106 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, London's West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Australia and on tour across North America, the U.K., and Japan. The Australian production marks the tenth concurrent worldwide production of The Lion King, the highest number of productions running at any one time in the show's history. To date, The Lion King has played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, The Lion King's more than $6 billion worldwide box office to date, exceeds that of any film or entertainment title in history.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The show's director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show's ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King 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; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES:

PATRICK R. BROWN (Scar) The Lion King (Scar) on Broadway and Singapore, U.S. National Tour -- Dirty Rotten Scoundrels(Andre), The Shaw Festival -- Caesar & Cleopatra (Apollodorus), Merrily We Roll Along, The Man Who Came To Dinner, On The 20th Century, Easy Virtue, Shadow Play, She Loves Me, StageWest -- The Rocky Horror Show (Frankenfurter, Betty Award Nominee), Tuesdays With Morrie (with Jamie Farr). Elsewhere -- Beauty & The Beast (Cogsworth), Bach At Leipzig, Blood Brothers, Bent.

L. STEVEN TAYLOR (Mufasa) is excited to rejoin The Lion King Gazelle company! Credits -- Broadway: The Lion King (Ensemble, Mufasa, Scar), NYC/Regional: Ataria, Cutman, G word, Miss Saigon, Songs For A New World, Godspell, A Chorus Line. Film and television: The Electric Company (Leo Watson) Last of The Ninth (HBO pilot) Made For Each Other, Expiration Date, Eye Contact, Game Over. Love to Erin and Boogie. Praise Him!

TSHIDI MANYE (Rafiki), a native of South Africa, started performing in schools and churches with her mother. She has toured Europe and Japan with Mr. M. Bongeni Ngema in the hit musical Sarafina. The Lion King marks her Broadway debut, having performed with company since 2004. Other stage credits include Rafiki in the Toronto production, Daughter of Nebo by Hillary Bletcher, Mfowethu by Gibson Kente, The Stick by Aubrey Sekhabi. Honored to have shared the stage with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, David Byrne, Hugh Masekela, Jabu Khanyile, Vusi Mahlasela. Album: Sisters of Joy.

NICK CORDILEONE (Timon) OFF-BROADWAY: Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd (Mint Theater), Hamlet (Theatre by the Blind) REGIONAL: The Alchemist (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Lobby Hero (The Old Globe), Crime and Punishment (Cincinnati Playhouse & Actors Theatre), Henry VI, Richard III (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Comedy of Errors, Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey) FILM: Step Up 2. LOVE: Amy & Hero.

DREW HIRSHFIELD (Zazu) Regional Credits: Premiere Stages, Geva Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, Wilma Theater, Berkeley Rep, Huntington Theatre Co, Alley Theatre, Two River Theater Co, Magic Theatre, Marin, California, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festivals. New York: new plays with Ensemble Studio Theatre, 59E59, Collaboration Town, New York Stage & Film. TV/Film: Gosling, Blue Bloods, The Inspector, The Lady and the Thief. Member of The___ Space. MFA from A.C.T.

BEN LIPITZ (Pumbaa). Stage: Red, Hot and Blue (Goodspeed Opera, Papermill Playhouse); Just So (Goodspeed Opera); ART; Dirty Blonde; Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Forum; Cleveland Playhouse, Kennedy Center, Walnut St. Theatre. TV: The Sopranos, Law & Order, 100 Centre St., Homicide. Film: The Giraffe and Find Me Guilty (with Vin Diesel). Member of The Actors' Studio. Love and kisses to my wife, Rosalie and my son, Matthew. Proud member of Actors' Equity.

JELANI REMY (Simba). Coming from the Las Vegas production, Jelani is excited and blessed to be working with the Disney family again! A few past shows include Disney's High School Musical, Parade and Smokey Joe's Cafe. Much love and thanks to Shirley Grant Management, all of his family, teachers, LKLV and friends. AEA.

NIA HOLLOWAY (Nala) is ecstatic to join the cast of The Lion King. As an actress, vocalist and dancer, Nia has appeared at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, on the Hub Network show "Majors and Minors" and at various other venues as a live performer. She thanks God and her family and friends for all of their love and support. www.niaholloway.com

KEITH BENNETT (Banzai).Broadway credits include Richie in A Chorus Line, BJ in OH KAY!, Wonder Boy in The High Rollers, Horace in Olympus On My Mind, Banzai in The Lion King. Tours include: Dancin, The Tap Dance Kid, Sophisticated Ladies, Five Guys Named Moe. Regional: Stand Up Tragedy, Betsey Brown, Kiss Me Kate, Bo Bo's, A Son Come Home. Show dedicated to wife Deidre and my lovely daughters Tyler and Jordan. Big shout out to my Lord God.

RASHADA DAWAN (Shenzi) joins The Lion King National Tour from the cast in Las Vegas. Theatre credits include: Big River (BoHo Theatre), The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theatre), The Wiz-the Remix (Cornerstone Productions), Dreamgirls (FAMU Theatre), For Colored Girls Who Dance (B.FLI Productions, Inc.), From the Mississippi Delta (Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre), I Am That I Am (AOP Productions) and Aida (Bailiwick Chicago). Thanks to her family, friends and daughter, Genesis, for being her ever present understudy. Much Love. www.bfliproductions.org.

ROBBIE SWIFT (Ed/Understudy Timon & Zazu). is honored and excited to return to The Lion King family. Stage credits include: Snoopy!, Rumbles, The Red Flower, Water Children, Our Town, Godspell, etc. Film/Television: On The Run (Hyperboy), "Fastlane" (Fox), "Urban Graffiti" (Fox), "Scrubs" (NBC), etc. Many thanks to God, Mom, Dad, The Starting Five, Family and Friends.Special thanks to Barry, Karen and Lois Yvonne. Robbie is a proud member of AEA, SAG and ASCAP.I dedicate this show to my beautiful wife, Lisa. You are my heart, my life, and my inspiration. Thanks for marrying me.

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