THE LION KING To Premiere In Dayton 6/14-7/10/2011

Disney's THE LION KING has been confirmed for an exclusive four-week premiere engagement at the Benjamin and Marion Schuster Performing Arts Center beginning Tuesday, June 14, with performances playing through Sunday, July 10, 2011. Opening night is set for Thursday, June 16 at 8pm. This limited engagement will close the 2010-2011 Miami Valley & Good Samaritan Hospitals Broadway Series. Individual tickets for THE LION KING will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Subscribers to the Broadway Series have exclusive access to purchase tickets now to see THE LION KING in the first week of the Dayton engagement (subscriber ticket access ends Friday, February 11).

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.

Premium Ticket Packages are available which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item. Reservations for groups of twenty (20) or more are now being accepted by calling Group Sales Manager, Barrie Denmark at (937) 228-7591 ext. 3074. For additional information concerning ticketing, please call 937/228-3630 or visit online, www.ticketcenterstage.com.

ABOUT THE LION KING

THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The global phenomenon can also be seen on stage across North America and in Las Vegas, London, Hamburg and Tokyo. Now in its 13th year, THE LION KING is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only five musical productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more on both Broadway and the West End.

THE LION KING has been seen by more than 50 million people in 13 different countries and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch).

THE LION KING has won more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. Julie Taymor was the first woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. She is also the winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Costume Design.

Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; costume design is by Julie Taymor; lighting design is by Donald Holder. Choreography is by Garth Fagan. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.

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 "Shadowlands."

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH JULY 2011:

Salt Lake City - Capitol Theatre
Aug 11 - Sept 26, 2010

Chicago - Cadillac Palace Theatre
Sept 29 - Nov 27, 2010

Norfolk - Chrysler Hall
Nov 30 - Jan 2, 2011

Durham - Durham Performing Arts Center
Jan 4 - 30, 2011

Providence - Providence Performing Arts Center
Feb 1 - Feb 20, 2011

Rochester - Auditorium Theatre
March 22 - April 17, 2011

Toronto - Princess of Wales Theatre
April 19 - May 22, 2011

Dayton - Schuster Center
June 14 - July 10, 2011

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