Ben Lipitz News

Not all memories of THE LION KING are good ones.

Tis good to be the queen. Few people know that more than Tryphena Wade, a 1999 Pickerington High School graduate who plays Sarabi in a touring production of Disney's THE LION KING. The production opens in Columbus on Oct. 14 and will stay in the city until Nov. 9 at Ohio Theatre.

The national tour of THE LION KING returns to kick off the 10th Broadway In Boston season at the Boston Opera House, most fittingly as the musical reopened the venue following its historic renovation in 2004. Some of the effects have diminished over the years, but the opening night audience roared its approval.

The Boston engagement of Disney's The Lion King. Boston's most eagerly awaited stage production returns to the Boston Opera House stage runs today, September 9 to October 12 as part of the 2014-2015 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

Casting has been announced for the Boston engagement of Disney's The Lion King. Boston's most eagerly awaited stage production returns to the Boston Opera House stage from September 9 to October 12 as part of the 2014-2015 Lexus Broadway In Boston Season.

Featuring a wonderful combination of dazzling and unique artistry, Elton John and Tim Rice's strong score, and many strong performances, even those who have been there done that and seen The Lion King before can likely still find something to appreciate in the current national tour.

The return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING opens this week in the Kennedy Center Opera House for a limited nine-week engagement through August 17. In Washington, D.C., THE LION KING plays Tuesdays through Sunday evenings at 7:30pm with 1:30pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be 1:30pm matinees on Wednesday, July 2, Wednesday, July 30 and Wednesday, August 13. There will not be a performance on Friday, July 4.

Casting has been announced for the Washington, D.C. engagement of Disney's The Lion King. The stage production returns to the Kennedy Center from June 17 to August 17, 2014. The press opening night is Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. The show's nine-week premiere engagement in 2008 played a sold-out run in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Casting has been announced for the Washington, D.C. engagement of Disney's The Lion King. The stage production returns to the Kennedy Center from June 17 to August 17, 2014. The press opening night is Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. The show's nine-week premiere engagement in 2008 played a sold-out run in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Walnut Street Theatre is pleased to announce that it will honor US Airways, the official airline for Walnut Street Theatre, with the 2014 Edwin Forrest Award. The award will be presented to Robert Ciminelli, VP of Customer Experience and a Walnut Street Theatre Trustee, at its annual Gala. The evening's events will begin with a 90-minute concert hosted by Ben Lipitz, who Walnut audiences will remember from The Producers and God of Carnage. Featuring some of Philadelphia's favorite performers, including Rachel Beiswenger, Rachel Camp, Jeffrey Coon, Ben Dibble, Jennie Eisenhower, Sarah Gliko, Scott Langdon, Mary Martello, Ben Michael, Cary Michele Miller, Ellie Mooney, Michael Philip O'Brien, Lyn Philistine, Fran Prisco, Christopher Sutton, Tara Tagliaferro, Lilly Tobin and Denise Whelan, voices will fill the theatre with unforgettable musical moments from stage and screen. All proceeds from the Gala benefit the Walnut Street Theatre's Education and Outreach programming, which reaches over 120,000 students, teachers and families annually in the Delaware Valley.

The Toronto return of Disney's THE LION KING began performances on Wednesday April 30 and officially opens tonight, Thursday, May 1 at the Princess of Wales Theatre, where it will play a limited seven-week engagement through Sunday June 15. The award-winning musical premiered in Toronto in April 2000 at the Princess of Wales Theatre, where it played 1,560 performances through January 2004 and returned in 2011 for an eight-week sold-out engagement.

Walnut Street Theatre is pleased to announce that it will honor US Airways, the official airline for Walnut Street Theatre, with the 2014 Edwin Forrest Award. The award will be presented to Robert Ciminelli, VP of Customer Experience and a Walnut Street Theatre Trustee, at its annual Gala. The evening's events will begin with a 90-minute concert hosted by Ben Lipitz, who Walnut audiences will remember from The Producers and God of Carnage. Featuring some of Philadelphia's favorite performers, including Rachel Beiswenger, Rachel Camp, Jeffrey Coon, Ben Dibble, Jennie Eisenhower, Sarah Gliko, Scott Langdon, Mary Martello, Ben Michael, Cary Michele Miller, Ellie Mooney, Michael Philip O'Brien, Lyn Philistine, Fran Prisco, Christopher Sutton, Tara Tagliaferro, Lilly Tobin and Denise Whelan, voices will fill the theatre with unforgettable musical moments from stage and screen. All proceeds from the Gala benefit the Walnut Street Theatre's Education and Outreach programming, which reaches over 120,000 students, teachers and families annually in the Delaware Valley.

The Atlanta return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tomorrow, Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m. at the Fox Theatre for a limited three-week engagement through Sunday, April 27. In Atlanta, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. as well as matinees on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. A special weekday matinee will take place on Thursday, April 17 at 2:00 p.m. "While sales have exceeded our expectations, tickets can still be purchased and patrons are encouraged to contact the Fox Theatre Box Office to inquire about the best availability," said Russ Belin, Vice President of Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta.

On Monday, April 21 at 7:30pm, theBestArts.com will present its fifth Broadway benefit cabaret in Atlanta, THE LION SINGS TONIGHT. The evening will feature performances by cast and crew members of the Broadway national touring company of DISNEY'S THE LION KING at the Woodruff Arts Center's Rich Theatre in midtown Atlanta. 100% of ticket revenue from this event will go directly to JOINING HEARTS and BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BC/EFA).

Casting has been announced for the Toronto engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Toronto's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Princess of Wales Theatre stage from Wednesday April 30 to Sunday June 15. The award-winning musical premiered in Toronto in April 2000 at the Princess of Wales Theatre where it played 1,560 performances through January 2004 and returned in 2011 for an eight-week sold-out engagement.

A festive, family-friendly evening of holiday music and song with cast members from Disney's The Lion King benefiting The Actors Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is set for Today, December 2 Doors 7:00 pm Show 8:30 pm at Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 West Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, Calif.

The Lion King/book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi/music & lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice/additional music & lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M. Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Julie Taymor/directed by Julie Taymor/Pantages Theatre/through January 12, 2014

The Los Angeles return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, November 22, 2013 at 8pm at the Hollywood Pantages for a limited eight-week engagement through January 12, 2014. Hollywood Pantages General Manager Martin Wiviott says "The Circle of Life is once again complete as THE LION KING returns to its Los Angeles home. From its initial debut here in 2000 until now, the excitement and enthusiasm for this spectacular stage production hasn't diminished, but has instead grown by leaps (of the gazelles) and bounds. All of us here at the Hollywood Pantages look forward to a holiday season full of good cheer and great theatre. Welcome home, Lion King!"

A festive, family-friendly evening of holiday music and song with cast members from Disney's The Lion King benefiting The Actors Fund and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is set for Monday, December 2 Doors 7:00 pm Show 8:30 pm at Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 West Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, Calif.

DISNEY'S THE LION KING as prideful as ever