Disney's THE LION KING Begins at the Center for the Performing Arts Tonight

The San Jose return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Performing Arts for a limited four-week engagement through Sunday, October 4. In San Jose, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 1 and 6:30 p.m., with an additional matinee performance on Thursday, September 17 at 1 p.m.

"Following a sold-out engagement in 2006, we are thrilled to present the triumphant return engagement of THE LION KING," said Nanci Williams, General Manager at Broadway San Jose. "Ticket sales are strong, but there are still great seats available. Whether it's your first time seeing THE LION KING or your fifth, you won't want to miss this unforgettable production!"

Tickets to THE LION KING are available at the City National Civic Box Office (135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose), by calling Ticketmaster at 800-982-ARTS (2787) or via the Internet at ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices for the engagement start as low as $33. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.

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.

The production features Patrick R. Brown as "Scar", Gerald Ramsey as "Mufasa", Mukelisiwe Goba as "Rafiki", Drew Hirshfield as "Zazu", Ben Lipitz as "Pumbaa", Nick Cordileone as "Timon", Aaron Nelson as "Simba", Nia Holloway as "Nala", Keith Bennett as "Banzai", Tiffany Denise Hobbs as "Shenzi" and Robbie Swift as "Ed."

The role of "Young Simba" is alternated between BJ Covington and Tré Jones and the role of "Young Nala" is alternated between Savanna Fleisher and Mikari Tarpley.

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its San Jose return at the Center for the Performing Arts. The current schedule is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 18th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 80 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Melbourne, Australia; Basel, Switzerland; Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of ten productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The show's director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show's ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.

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 "Shadowland."

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

The San Jose engagement of Disney's THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Broadway San Jose and is a subscription offering of the 2015-16 season.

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