THE LION KING North American Tour Opens Tonight In Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake City premiere of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, August 13 at 8:00pm at the Capitol Theatre for a limited engagement of seven weeks through Sunday, September 26. In Salt Lake City, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm; Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm; Sunday at 6:30pm and matinees on Saturday at 2:00pm and Sunday at 1:00pm, with additional performances on Thursday, August 12 at 2:00pm; Wednesday, August 18 at 2:00pm and Friday, September 24 at 2:00pm.

The engagement has already sold more than 85,000 tickets and generated more than $7 million at the box office. The market can expect an economic impact of $21 million. This includes sales tax (something not-for-profit theater groups do not pay), Local 99 the Stagehands Union which goes directly to Utah-based employees, rent and fees to Salt Lake County and local media expenditures.
Even with all this success, there are still seats available for Saturday, August 14 at 8:00pm; Wednesday, August 18 at 2:00pm and the final two weeks September 14-26.

Tickets to THE LION KING are available at the Capitol Theatre Box Office and ArtTix outlets, by calling ArtTix at 801.355.ARTS (M-F 10:00am-6:00pm; Sat 10:00am-2:00pm), or via the Internet at www.ArtTix.org. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $40. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 12.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $815 million to date. The tour is one of six productions running worldwide, along with New York City, London, Hamburg, 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 J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is "Mufasa," the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Brenda Mhlongo is the wise baboon shaman "Rafiki." Tony Freeman portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird "Zazu." Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog "Pumbaa" and Nick Cordileone is the wisecracking meerkat "Timon." Mufasa's son, "Simba," the lion prince born to be king, is played by Adam Jacobs and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness "Nala."

The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau ("Banzai"), Monica L. Patton ("Shenzi") and Ben Roseberry ("Ed"). The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between Jerome Stephen, Jr. and Kolton Stewart and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Monique Lee and Madai Monica Williams.

ABOUT THE LION KING

THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The global phenomenon can also be seen on stage across North America and in Las Vegas, London, Hamburg and Tokyo. Now in its 13th year, THE LION KING is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history and 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 has won 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.

Taymor, along with 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 Salt Lake City engagement of Disney's THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Zions Bank Broadway Across America Utah and is a subscription offering of the 2009-20010 Season.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH JULY 2011

CITY/VENUE Performance Dates

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

Chicago - Cadillac Palace Theatre Sept 29 - Nov 27, 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