THE LION KING Opens Tonight in Orlando

The Orlando return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre for a limited engagement of four weeks through May 13. In Orlando, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. There will be a 2:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, May 10. There will not be a 6:30pm performance on Sunday, May 13. The show's six-week premiere engagement in 2006 played a sold-out run at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to bring The Lion King back to Orlando," said Ron Legler, President and CEO of Florida Theatrical Association. "Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations, but there are still great seats available."

During this Orlando engagement THE LION KING North American tour will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Since launching in April 2002 in Denver, CO, the touring production has been seen by over 13.9 million theatergoers in more than 70 cities across North America and grossed over $921 million to date.

Tickets to THE LION KING are available at the FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America – Orlando box office located at 100 South Eola Drive, Suite 101 in downtown Orlando. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-800-982-2787 or by visiting www.OrlandoBroadway.com. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $30. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.

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." Adam Kozlowski 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 Syndee Winters 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.