THE LION KING North American Tour Opens Tonight in Chicago, Runs Thru 11/27

The Chicago return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, October 1 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for a limited engagement of nine weeks though Saturday, November 27. The show's 39-week premiere engagement in 2003 and 13-week return engagement in 2005 both played sold-out runs at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

For tickets or more information, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 12.7 million theatergoers and grossed over $834 million to date. The tour is one of six productions running worldwide, along with New York City, London, Hamburg, Tokyo and Las Vegas. Having already played 60 cities across North America, THE LION KING continues to entertain audiences in new cities. The current schedule is listed below. For more information and dates, please visit LionKing.com.

On stage, Director Julie Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" is played by J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Brenda Mhlongo is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Tony Freeman portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu." Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog "Pumbaa" and Nick Cordileone is the wisecracking meerkat "Timon." Mufasa's son, "Simba," the lion prince born to be king, is played by Adam Jacobs and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness "Nala."
The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau ("Banzai"), Monica L. Patton ("Shenzi") and Ben Roseberry ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Jerome Stephen, Jr. and Kolton Stewart and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Monique Lee and Madai Monica Williams.

THE LION KING will play Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30PM, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM, Sunday evenings at 6:30PM, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2PM, and Sunday matinees at 1PM, as well as Tuesday performances on October 26, November 16 and November 23 at 7:30PM and a 2PM matinee on Friday, November 26. There will be no performance on Thursday, November 25 in observance of Thanksgiving. Ticket prices start as low as $25. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are currently available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling (312) 977-1710.