THE LION KING Opens Tonight in Houston

The Houston return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hobby Center for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center.

"We're thrilled to welcome THE LION KING back to Houston for a special presentation," said Fran Macferran, president and executive director of the Hobby Center. "Ticket sales are strong and we encourage theatergoers to take advantage of great seats while they're still available."

In Houston, THE LION KING plays Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., and Sunday performances at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. A special performance for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families will occur on Saturday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m., as part of the Hobby Center Foundation Autism Theatre Initiative. This marks the first ever autism-friendly performance of a Broadway show outside of New York City and only the third ever offered.

Tickets to THE LION KING are available at the Hobby Center Box Office Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., and via the Internet at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Houston and www.LionKing.com. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $27.50. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 888-451-5986 or emailing houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

THE LION KING began as a 1994 animated feature-length film developed and produced by the Walt Disney Company. The story, a coming of age parable set among animals indigenous to its setting, the African savanna, tells the tale of Simba, the lion cub who rises to be the King of the jungle.

The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" is played by J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Buyi Zama is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Mark David Kaplan 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 Jelani Remy and Nokubonga Khuzwayo is the loyal lioness "Nala."

The three evil hyenas are played by Keith Bennett ("Banzai"), Rashada Dawan ("Shenzi") and Robbie Swift ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Houston return at the Hobby Center. The current schedule is listed below.