Disney's THE LION KING Sells Out Belk Theater Run

Disney's THE LION KING celebrated a sold-out engagement in Charlotte, breaking the Belk Theater's box office record for highest-grossing week when it grossed $1,399,576 for the week ending September 1, 2013. The triumphant four-week return grossed over $5.5 million at the box office and entertained more than 63,000 patrons (one of the 33 sold-out performances entirely benefited The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment). This was THE LION KING's third sold-out engagement in Charlotte, following a five-week premiere in 2003, and a six-week return in 2007 at the Belk Theater.

It is estimated that the Charlotte engagement of THE LION KING generated a $19 million economic benefit to the city from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Touring Broadway League report which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.5 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"THE LION KING has once again taken Charlotte by storm during its four-week run, and the response we've seen from both audiences and the community has been exciting," said Tom Gabbard, Blumenthal Performing Arts President. "We especially want to thank our friends at Disney Theatrical Productions and THE LION KING for their help in returning this amazing production to Charlotte. They truly represent the 'best of Broadway' that we strive to deliver each season, and we can't wait to have them back again."

"We were thrilled to return to the great city of Charlotte, where THE LION KING has always been so warmly welcomed and embraced," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We thank the Charlotte community and our partners at the Blumenthal Performing Arts for another sensational engagement and look forward to returning in the near future."

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. After 11 years on the road, THE LION KING continues to celebrate unparalleled achievements and delight new audiences throughout North America. The current schedule is listed below.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH AUGUST 2014:

Pittsburgh - Benedum Center
September 3 - 29, 2013

Dallas - Music Hall at Fair Park
October 2 - 20, 2013

Tempe - ASU Gammage Auditorium
October 22 - November 17, 2013

Los Angeles - Pantages Theatre
November 20, 2013 - January 12, 2014

Honolulu - Blaisdell Concert Hall
January 14 - March 9, 2014

Seattle - Paramount Theatre
March 11 - April 6, 2014

Atlanta - The Fox Theatre
April 10 - 27, 2014

Toronto - Princess of Wales Theatre
April 30 - June 15, 2014

Washington, D.C. - Kennedy Center Opera House
June 17 - August 17, 2014