Mark Mancina News

Our homegrown production of director Julie Taymor's vision features the most multicultural cast of any Australian-produced stage musical to date.

Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING, played its 6,681st performance on Saturday evening, November 30th, surpassing the original Broadway production ofLes Miserables (6,680 performances) to become the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history.

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!"

Disney's THE LION KING celebrated its third smash engagement in Tempe, which concluded on Sunday, November 17 at ASU Gammage. The triumphant four-week return entertained more than 80,000 patrons during 32 performances. The majority of theater-goers were Valley residents but also included ticket buyers from all over the Southwest and even Mexico.

Disney Theatrical Productions and Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Atlanta announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Sunday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. Atlanta's most eagerly awaited return will leap onto the Fox Theatre stage for the first time on April 10, 2014 for a limited engagement of three weeks through April 27, 2014. Preview performances are Thursday, April 10, Friday, April 11 and the matinee performance on Saturday, April 12 with the official opening night performance on Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m.

As the 2013 calendar year comes to a close, Disney's landmark musical event, THE LION KING, celebrates several milestones around the globe.

SPIDER-MAN book writer Glen Berger told the Associated Press that he is collaborating with THE LION KING composer and lyricist Mark Mancina on a musical adaptation of the film AUGUST RUSH.

The Tempe return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. at ASU Gammage for a limited engagement of four weeks through November 17. In Tempe, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. "We are thrilled to have THE LION KING back in Tempe," said Colleen Jennings Roggensack, Executive Director of ASU Gammage. "There are still wonderful seats available, so be sure not to miss this show and create lasting memories with your family."

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Dallas, which concluded on Sunday, October 20 at The Music Hall at Fair Park. The triumphant three-week return grossed over $4.9 million at the box office and entertained more than 79,000 patrons during 24 performances. The award-winning musical returned to Dallas following a six-week sold-out premiere in 2002 and a successful five-week return in 2007 at The Music Hall.

Casting has been announced for the Los Angeles return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Los Angeles' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Hollywood Pantages stage from November 20, 2013 - January 12, 2014. The press opening night is Friday, November 22 at 8pm. The landmark musical will return to Los Angeles for the first time since its triumphant return engagement in November 2006, where the production played a sold-out run at Hollywood Pantages.

Disney's award-winning musical THE LION KING has now entered its 15th year at London's Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, the show has welcomed over 11 million guests and remains the West End's best-selling stage production. Tickets are currently on sale until 20 July 2014.

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out engagement in Pittsburgh, which concluded on Sunday, September 29 at the Benedum Center. The triumphant four-week return grossed over $6.4 million at the box office and entertained more than 85,000 patrons during 32 performances (one of which was tailored to the needs of patrons on the autism spectrum). This was THE LION KING's third sold-out engagement in Pittsburgh, following a six-week premiere in 2004 and a six-week run in 2008 at the Benedum Center.

Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING, the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, welcomes JEFFREY KUHN, in the role of Zazu, and TSHIDI MANYE, who rejoins the production as Rafiki.

Casting has been announced for the Dallas engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Dallas' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Music Hall at Fair Park stage from Wednesday, October 2 to Sunday, October 20. The press opening night is Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. The show's previous two engagement in 2002 and 2007 played sold-out runs at the Music Hall.

Broadway's landmark musical event THE LION KING, the fifth longest-running show in Broadway history, is pleased to welcome AARON NELSON as Simba, beginning performances on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, is pleased to announce that the producer, cast, and management of Disney's THE LION KING have added a special performance to benefit The Fund today, August 22 at 1:00pm at The Belk Theater in Charlotte, NC. The Acting Company will donate their time and talent for this performance that will directly benefit The Actors Fund.

THE LION KING is the sixth longest-running musical in Broadway history. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents and continues to create new avenues around the world. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, on tour in Japan, and in Tokyo, London's West End, Hamburg, Madrid and in the UK. Last night, musician Darius Rucker (formerly Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish) visited the Broadway show and you can check out photos of him backstage with the cast below!

The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment, is pleased to announce that the producer, cast, and management of Disney's THE LION KING have added a special performance to benefit The Fund on Thursday, August 22 at 1:00pm at The Belk Theater in Charlotte, NC. The acting company will donate their time and talent for this performance that will directly benefit The Actors Fund.

The Associated Press reports that Disney Theatrical Group's North American tour of THE LION KING has hit $1 billion in grosses since its launch in 2002.