Mark Mancina News

The North American tour of Disney’s The Lion King is celebrating its 24th anniversary. Since launching in April 2002, The Lion King North American tour has welcomed over 28 million theatergoers.

Almost 30 years since it’s Broadway premier in 1997, THE LION KING still brings gasps of awe as Julie Taymor’s musical theatre adaptation of Walt Disney Animation’s 1994 film returns to the Sydney stage. 

Disney's THE LION KING will partner with London Zoo for a second year, presenting a free exhibition featuring costumes, masks, and puppets from the West End production, alongside new expert-led talks on African wildlife.

Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace will star as Simba and Nala in the West End production of THE LION KING, announced for March 2026. Learn more about the new cast members here!

Disney has dropped a brand new trailer for Moana, the live-action reimagining of the 2016 animated hit, hitting theaters this July. Watch the trailer to see the beloved animated world come to life in live-action.

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!

Tickets for the return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King in Cleveland will go on sale to the public. Cleveland’s most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the KeyBank State Theatre stage at Playhouse Square.

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.

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.

August Rush, the Academy Award and Grammy Award-nominated 2007 film, is being developed as a new Broadway musical, starring Christopher Riley, Talia Suskauer and more.

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.

This December, Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts (SSIPA) will present its Cape Town debut production – Disney’s Moana Jr. Learn more about the show here!

Disney’s The Lion King is coming to The Paramount Theatre stage.

Tickets for the long-awaited return of Disney’s The Lion King at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) will go on sale Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Disney's THE LION KING runs at Cadillac Palace Theatre until October 19. Get ticket info and details about this must-see Chicago show!

Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert will arrive at Popejoy Hall in Albuquerque on November 4, 2025. The event features a screening of the animated film with live music performed by Hollywood musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters, and vocalists.

The Lion King celebrated its 11,000th performance on Broadway over the weekend at the matinee on Saturday, September 20th. See footage here and learn more about The Lion King.

Playful People Productions will celebrate its 15th Anniversary season with Disney’s Moana JR., running October 17–November 1, 2025, at the Historic Hoover Theater in San Jose.

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.

Watch a video of Tshidi Manye, who played Rafiki in Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway for over 9,000 performances, take her final bow on Sunday after being a part of the production for 25 years.