THE LION KING Hartford Tickets Go On Sale 10/19

Disney Theatrical Productions and The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10 a.m. Hartford's most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto The Bushnell's stage on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, February 14, 2010. The opening night is Friday, January 29, 2010 at 8 p.m. The show's 7-week premiere engagement in 2006 played a sold-out run at The Bushnell Center. The North American Tour is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris, and a new sit-down production in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. This engagement of Disney's THE LION KING is sponsored by The Hartford Financial Services Group.

Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, THE LION KING is the winner of six 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.

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 LION KING. 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 for THE LION KING. 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.

In Hartford, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There is a Thursday, January 28, 2010 matinee performance at 1 p.m. Ticket prices start as low as $20.50. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Beginning Monday, October 19, 2009, tickets will be available at The Bushnell Box Office, by phone at (860) 987-5900 and online at www.bushnell.org. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling (860) 987-5959.

The Hartford engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with The Bushnell and is sponsored by The Hartford Financial Services Group.