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Irene Mecchi

BIO

Irene Mecci began her association with Disney in March 1992, when she wrote Recycle Rex, an animated short, which won the 1994 Environmental Media Award. Irene is a co-writer of Disney’s animated features The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules. Along with co-author Roger Allers, she received a 1998 Tony® nomination for writing the book for The Lion King. Irene wrote the teleplay for “Annie,” which aired on ABC. Irene is developing an animated film at Pixar, a television adaptation of Broadway’s classic musical, Peter Pan and has a production company which is acquiring literary material written for young adults in order to produce a slate of

Productions

 
[Motion Picture, 2014]
Author (Teleplay)
 
[US Tour, 2002]
Bookwriter

Writing

Source Material
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Musical

Irene Mecchi, The Lion King

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Book of a Musical

Irene Mecchi, The Lion King

Videos

News


THE LION KING Will Welcome Mduduzi Madela as Simba Beginning February 24
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2026

The Lion King has announced that longtime cast member Mduduzi Madela will assume the role of Simba beginning Tuesday, February 24. Learn more about him here!
Disney's HERCULES Extends for a Final Time in the West End
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 9, 2026

Hercules will extend its West End run for a final time. Hercules features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, and a brand-new book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah.
Submissions Open for The Blank Theatre's 34th Young Playwrights Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 4, 2026

The Blank Theatre is now seeking submissions from playwrights 19 years of age and younger for its 34th Annual Young Playwrights Festival. The festival is a nationwide competition that produces the work of 12 young writers each year.
THE LION KING, JR to be Presented at Cumberland County Playhouse
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 30, 2026

The Cumberland County Playhouse will present The Lion King, Jr, with music and lyrics by Tim Rice and Elton John, with additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Hans Zimmer; book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi.
Zama Magudulela Will Join THE LION KING Tour as Rafiki
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome Zama Magudulela as Rafiki. Magudulela will begin performances on Tuesday, January 13 in Sacramento at the Safe Credit Union Performing Arts Center.
Tickets For Disney’s THE LION KING Go On Sale In Grand Rapids On November 24
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 25, 2025

Broadway Grand Rapids and Disney Theatrical Group will place tickets on sale for THE LION KING’s return to DeVos Performance Hall beginning November 24 at noon.
Video: Watch 'Great Bolts of Thunder' From HERCULES in the West End
by Michael Major - Nov 11, 2025

Watch a video of the cast of Disney's Hercules in London sing a new song written for the musical, 'Great Bolts of Thunder.' Written by Alan Menken and David Zippel, the song takes place before the final battle with Hades begins!
Disney's HERCULES Extends; Leslie Beehann Joins The Muses
by Stephi Wild - Nov 10, 2025

Hercules will extend its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 18 July 2026 due to public demand. Leslie Beehann will join the cast to play Calliope from 8 December.
THE LION KING to Return to Seattle at The Paramount Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.
Video: Susan Egan Shines in Hercules Disney Villain Medley
by Michael Major - Nov 3, 2025

Watch Susan Egan, the original Meg from Hercules, perform in a Disney villain medley featuring songs from Tangled and more!
Experience Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago at Cadillac Palace
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 3, 2025

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!
HERCULES Original London Cast Recording Sets Release Dates
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2025

Available to stream and download Oct 10. CD and Vinyl are available for preorder now at the Disney Music Emporium UK store and will be available online and in-person at the merchandise shop at Theatre Royal Drury Lane later this winter.
Cast Announced for Disney's THE LION KING in Chicago
by Michael Major - Sep 3, 2025

The production features Peter Hargrave (Scar), David D’Lancy Wilson (Mufasa), Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki), Robert Creighton (Timon), Nick LaMedica (Zazu), Danny Grumich (Pumbaa), Gilbert Domally (Simba), and more.
Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi Returns to THE LION KING as Rafiki
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

The Lion King is welcoming Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi back as Rafiki beginning September 2. Pitjeng-Molebatsi stepped into the role temporarily earlier this year and is now taking it over officially following the final performance of longtime cast member Tshidi Manye.
Review: Disney’s THE LION KING Brings the Circle of Life to Vancouver
by Alyson Eng - Aug 31, 2025

Disney’s The Lion King musical is playing in Vancouver, BC for a limited four-week engagement at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from August 20 to September 14.
THE LION KING Tour Welcomes New Mufasa and Simba
by Stephi Wild - Aug 26, 2025

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa and Gilbert Domally as Simba. Wilson and Domally will begin performances on Tuesday, September 23 in Portland, OR at Keller Auditorium.
Video: Original HERCULES Muse LaChanze Visits West End Production
by Michael Major - Aug 25, 2025

LaChanze, who voiced the role of Terpsichores in the Hercules movie musical, visited the West End stage adaptation. Watch a video of her greeting the Muses, including Robyn Marshall who plays Terpsichores, after the performance.
Video: Gayle King Makes Broadway Debut in THE LION KING
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 25, 2025

On Thursday, CBS News journalist Gayle King, along with Oprah Daily creative director Adam Glassman, made their Broadway debuts in The Lion King, appearing in the opening number of the hit musical. Watch footage from rehearsals and the performance here!
Video: Watch Gavin Lee Join THE LION KING on Broadway as 'Scar'
by Michael Major - Jul 23, 2025

Gavin Lee has made it to Pride Rock! The Tony nominee has officially joined the cast of The Lion King on Broadway as 'Scar.' Watch a video of his first bow now!
Photos: First look at Rise Up Arts Penguin Project THE LION KING JR
by Jerri Shafer - Jul 17, 2025

The Lion King Jr. is the story of Simba, an adventurous and energetic lion cub who is next in line to be king of the Pride Lands, a thriving and beautiful region in the African savanna.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Irene Mecchi written?

Irene Mecchi has written 1 shows including The Lion King (Source Material).

What awards has Irene Mecchi been nominated for?

Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Lion King and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Lion King.

What awards has Irene Mecchi won?

Irene Mecchi won the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for The Lion King.

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