THE LION KING Celebrates Sold Out Engagement At The Buell Theatre

With eight performances still remaining in Denver, Disney's THE LION KING is already celebrating a sold-out, record-breaking engagement at The Buell Theatre. By the time the triumphant, five-week return engagement concludes on Sunday, December 4, it will have entertained nearly 110,000 people and grossed over $8.5 million at the box office. The award-winning musical grossed over $2 million during the week of November 21, making it the highest-grossing week of any theatrical production in the venue's history.

This is THE LION KING's third visit to Denver. The North American Tour launched in Denver in April 2002 where it played a sold-out 10-week engagement at The Buell Theatre. The production returned to The Buell Theatre in September 2006 where it played a seven-week sold-out engagement.

It is estimated that by the conclusion of the engagement THE LION KING will generate a $30 million economic benefit to Denver from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a report from the Touring Broadway League, the official trade organization for Broadway and their North American Tours. The report states that on average, Broadway tours contribute to the local metropolitan area's economy an economic impact 3.5 times the gross ticket sales.

"The return of THE LION KING to Denver and its overwhelming success is a tribute to the entire Disney Theatrical team and the incredibly talented people involved in the creation of the show," said President and COO of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Randy Weeks. "Additionally, it is a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Disney company maintaining their productions at the highest possible standards. Is it possible that THE LION KING is better now than it was when it first opened here? I believe so."

"As the North American tour of THE LION KING approaches its 10th anniversary, it is only fitting that we should return to the city where this groundbreaking tour was launched," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are overwhelmed by the enduring response to the show and thank the city of Denver for another incredible engagement."

This North American National Tour has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $875 million to date. Enjoying its ninth year on the road, THE LION KING continues to celebrate unparalleled achievements and delight new audiences throughout North America. The current schedule is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

As it approaches its 15th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 global productions have been seen by more than 63 million people, and grossed over $4.7 billion to date. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only six productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more, both on Broadway and in the West End. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents. THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, and in Las Vegas, London's West End, Hamburg, Madrid and Tokyo.

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, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. 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.

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. 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: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

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."
For more information worldwide, visit, LionKing.com

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2012:
Denver – Buell Theatre

November 2 – December 4, 2011

Baltimore – Hippodrome Theatre

December 7 – January 8, 2012

Minneapolis – Orpheum Theatre

January 11 – February 12, 2012

Richmond – Landmark Theatre

February 15 – March 11, 2012

New Orleans – Mahalia Jackson Theatre

March 14 – April 15, 2012

Orlando – Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

April 17 – May 13, 2012

Miami – Adrienne Arsht Center

May 17 – June 10, 2012

Greenville – Peace Center for Performing Arts

June 12 – July 8, 2012

Houston – Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

July 10 – August 12, 2012

St. Louis – Fox Theatre

August 15 – September 2, 2012

**Please be advised that The Denver Center for the Performing Arts – denvercenter.org – is the ONLY authorized online seller of tickets for Denver Center Attractions (the Broadway touring productions) and the Denver Center Theatre Company (the resident theatre company productions). Currently there are scalpers, also known as 'second party vendors,' selling tickets online at a rate more than double the standard price – and up. Tickets bought through these vendors MAY NOT BE VALID. You could not only be refused admission, but also lose your entire investment.

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