THE LION KING Opens Tonight at the Orpheum Theatre

Disney's The Lion King, celebrating nearly 15 years since its 1997 world premiere in Minneapolis, opens tonight, Friday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012. "Hennepin Theatre Trust is thrilled to welcome The Lion King back to Minneapolis," says Hennepin Theatre Trust President/CEO Tom Hoch. "Tickets for this show are in high demand, but there are still good seats available for the weeknight performances." It is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787.

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 1997 world premiere at the Orpheum Theatre was followed by sold-out return engagements in 2005 and 2007. Minneapolis is the first city in North America to host this landmark production four times.

Two cast members have Minnesota connections. "Scar" will be played by J. Anthony Crane, who grew up in Minneapolis and whose family still lives in the Twin Cities. Nick Cordileone, who went to grade school in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, is "Timon."

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for Disney's The Lion King are on sale now. Best availability is for weeknight performances. Ticket prices begin as low as $30 and are subject to change.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402, no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 or at a Ticketmaster Ticket Center.

Performances dates for The Lion King are Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403). Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There will be a 2 p.m. matinee on Thursday, Feb. 9. There is no 6:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Feb. 12.