THE LION KING Tour Opens Tonight in Miami

The Miami premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight at 8 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, June 10. THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Saturdays at 2 p.m., Sundays at 1 p.m. with an additional performance on Friday, June 8 at 2 p.m.

"South Florida is in for a roaring spectacle as Disney's The Lion King finally makes its Miami premiere at the Arsht Center," said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. "Since our successful ticket on-sale event in early February, fans have shown their excitement for Broadway's biggest musical by continuously filling up our box office and requesting the best seats in the house. It is incredible to see and feel the buzz grow for this show, and we're certain it will be only be greater after tonight's sold-out performance!"

Great tickets are still available and start as low as $39.00. VIP Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at the Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office, online at www.arshtcenter.org and over the phone at 305-949-6722.

Regular box office hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 786-468-2326 or 954-626-7814 or by email at HYPERLINK "mailto:groupsales@arshtcenter.org" groupsales@arshtcenter.org.

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 talented cast of 50 actors includes two local connections. Syndee Winters, who plays the loyal lioness "Nala," is a Miami native and graduated from Miami Palmetto Senior High School. Prior to joining THE LION KING North American Tour, Winters worked as a dancer/choreographer throughout Miami. SharRon Williams, an ensemble dancer, was born and raised in Miami and is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts.

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.

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.