LION KING Cast Members To Perform for Phila.ActionAIDS 4/12

Select cast and crew members of Disney's THE LION KING will host UMCULO WEBHUBESI (the lion sings tonight) - a concert featuring South African music and dance. This very special one-time event will be held on Monday, April 12 at The Trocadero located at 1003 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are currently on sale for $25 including a post-performance reception with the cast.

Disney's THE LION KING is currently playing at Philadelphia's Academy of Music for a five-week engagement through April 24.

Audience members will enjoy over 12 vocal, spoken word and dance performances, including South African Natives Phindile Mkhize (Rafiki), Vusi Mhlongo (Low Antelope), Sihle Ngema (High Antelope), as well as Portia Magwaza, N'tombkhona Dlamini and from the Broadway production of THE LION KING, Lindiwe Dlamini, Selloane Nkhela and Bongi Duma.

Broadway in South Africa, a New York-based performance group will also join the concert. BSA is a cooperative nonprofit venture created by professional working actors, dancers, singers, directors, musicians and producers from New York City - all brought together by our desire to affect change in the world through art and, ourselves, learn from the potential of bridging two different cultures artistically.

The audience will also have an opportunity to win a variety of door prizes including tickets to THE LION KING at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

Sponsored by Philadelphia ActionAIDS and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. All proceeds will benefit Philadelphia ActionAIDS and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA).

Philadelphia ActionAIDS, a Philadelphia-based organization works in partnership with people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, to sustain and enhance their quality of life. We provide a range of direct services and take an active and professional approach to leadership in service, education and advocacy. Staff, volunteers and the board of directors are committed to including and assisting people from our heterogeneous community and are responsive to the dynamic needs generated by the epidemic.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is the nation's leading industry based HIV/AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for UMCULO WEBHUBESI (the lion sings tonight) are currently on sale for $25.00 and include a post-performance reception with the cast. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 215.922.5483 or by visiting the web at www.thetroc.com or through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com/venue/16391. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, pending availability.

ABOUT DISNEY'S THE LION KING
In Philadelphia performances begin at the Academy of Music on Tuesday, March 23 and play through Saturday, April 24, 2010. The press opening night is Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 pm. The show entertained more than 240,000 people during its 14-week premiere engagement in 2006. This Philadelphia engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris, and Las Vegas.

Ticket prices start as low as $23. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets may be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad & Spruce Sts. (open daily 10 am to 6 pm) or on performance days only at the Academy of Music box office. Groups of 20 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883.

Philadelphia Performance Schedule: Tuesday - Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm; Friday & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm; matinees Saturdays at 2:00 pm, Sundays at 1:00 pm and weekday matinees on Thursday, April 15 and Thursday, April 22 at 1:00 pm.

Last year, THE LION KING marked twelve years on Broadway and became the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now in its 13th smash year, THE LION KING officially opened on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (previews began October 13) and has consistently been among Broadway's top five grossing shows. The show transferred to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design. The show has been seen in 13 different countries (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa and Korea) and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch). In addition to Broadway and a North American tour, THE LION KING can also be seen on stage in London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas. A new production will bow in Singapore in September 2010 - a first for Disney Theatrical Productions.

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