THE LION KING North American Tour Opens Tonight 6/18 In Portland

The Portland return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, June 18 at 7:30pm at Keller Auditorium for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, July 11. In Portland, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, Sunday evenings at 6:30pm, Saturday matinees at 2:00pm and Sunday matinees at 1:00pm, with additional performances on Thursday, June 17 at 1:00pm and Thursday, July 8 at 1:00pm. Great seats are still available!

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 12 million theatergoers and grossed over $775 million to date. The tour is one of seven productions running worldwide, along with New York City, London, Hamburg, Paris, Tokyo and Las Vegas. Having already played 60 cities across North America, THE LION KING continues to entertain audiences in new cities. The current schedule is listed below. For more information and dates, please visit LionKing.com.

THE LION KING began as a 1994 animated feature-length film developed and produced by the Walt Disney Company. The story, a coming of age parable set among animals indigenous to its setting, the African savanna, tells the tale of Simba, the lion cub who rises to be the King of the jungle.
On stage, Director Julie Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. The sardonic and deviously cunning "Scar" is played by Brent Harris. Dionne Randolph is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Phindile Mkhize is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Tony Freeman portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu." Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog "Pumbaa" and Tyler Murree is the wisecracking meerkat "Timon." Mufasa's son, "Simba," the lion prince born to be king, is played by André Jackson and Marja Harmon is the loyal lioness "Nala."

The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau ("Banzai"), Andrea Jones ("Shenzi") and Ben Roseberry ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Jerome Stephen, Jr. and Elijah Johnson and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Jamariana Tribble and Madai Monica Williams.

ABOUT THE LION KING

Now in its 13th year, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. It is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and, according to figures just released by The Broadway League, placed second on the Top 10 lists for both the highest-grossing and best-attended shows of the 2009-10 season, a remarkable indicator of its unprecedented success. THE LION KING is one of only five musical productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more on both Broadway and the West End.

THE LION KING has been seen by more than 50 million people in 13 different countries and translated into five different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch).
THE LION KING made history in September 2009 when two of its signature costumes were inducted into the Permanent Collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

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.

Julie Taymor was the first woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. She is also the winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Costume Design. Previous credits include The Green Bird, The Flying Dutchman, Fool's Fire, Titus Andronicus and the Tony Award-nominated Juan Darien: A Carnival Mass at Lincoln Center.

Taymor, along with Portland designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; costume design is by Julie Taymor; lighting design is by Donald Holder. Choreography is by Garth Fagan. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowlands."
The Portland engagement of Disney's THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Fred Meyer Broadway Arcoss America Portland.

Disney's THE LION KING

June 16 - July 11, 2010

Keller Auditorium, SW 3rd & Clay

Tues., Wed., Thurs*., Fri. 7:30pm

Saturday 2:00pm & 7:30pm

Sunday 1:00pm & 6:30pm
*Thursday, June 17 - Special 1:00pm matinee performance

*Thursday, July 8 - Special 1:00pm matinee performance

*Thursday, June 24 - Signed performance for the hearing impaired

Ticket prices start as low as $23.25 and can be purchased . . .

(Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative

souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.)
BY PHONE:

Ticketmaster: (800) 982-ARTS (days, evenings, and weekends)

Portland Opera Box Office: (503) 241-1802 or toll free at (866) 739-6737

IN PERSON:

Ticketmaster outlets

The Hampton Opera Center, 211 SE Caruthers St. (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

PCPA Box Office, SW Broadway and Main (Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm)

GROUPS:

Groups of 20 or more, call Group Sales at (503) 295-3509

E-mail: groups@portlandopera.org
Visit us online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

CITY/VENUE Performance Dates

Portland - Keller Auditorium June 16 - July 11, 2010

Vancouver - Queen Elizabeth Theatre July 13 - Aug 8, 2010

Salt Lake City - Capitol Theatre Aug 11 - Sept 26, 2010

Chicago - Cadillac Palace Theatre Sept 29 - Nov 7, 2010

Norfolk - Chrysler Hall Nov 30 - Jan 2, 2011

Durham - Durham Performing Arts Center Jan 4 - 30, 2011

Providence - Providence Performing Arts Center Feb 1 - Feb 20, 2011

Rochester - Auditorium Theatre March 22 - April 17, 2011

Toronto - Princess of Wales Theatre April 19 - May 22, 2011

Dayton - Schuster Hall June 14 - July 10, 2011

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