STG Presents THE LION KING Sensory-Friendly Performance

Seattle Theatre Group, Disney Theatrical Group, TDF, and our community partners are proud to offer a sensory-friendly performance of Disney's The Lion King on January 5, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Performed in a supportive and judgment-free environment, this show will provide the opportunity for families and friends with children or adults affected by autism and other sensory issues to enjoy the shared experience of live theatre.

"We are thrilled to be presenting our first-ever sensory-friendly performance," said Marisol Sanchez-Best, Associate Director of Education Programs for STG. "With this performance we hope to provide the opportunity for audiences to experience The Lion King who otherwise may not attend due to fear of disrupting traditionally quiet performances. Through our partnerships with Disney Theatrical Group, TDF and local partners, we are able to acquire the tools needed to accommodate a range of sensory needs, and in doing so, better serve our community."

Staffed specialists from the Seattle-based, non-profit Sensory Access (sensoryaccess.org) will be available throughout the theatre, as well as helpful tools such as noise-cancelling headphones and fidget items. Slight adjustments, including altered lighting and reduced sound, will be made to the show. Food, drink, and ipads with headphones will be allowed in seats and designated quiet areas and activity areas will be provided.

To help individuals prepare for the show, a downloadable Social Narrative is available in advance of the performance at stgpresents.org/access, featuring pictures of the theatre and the production. Additional resources such as a Character Guide, Guide to Attending the Show, and Scene Breakdown will be available. Sensory-friendly performance tickets are significantly subsidized and range from $15-$50. ASL tickets are also available for this performance. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, please visit stgpresents.org/access. Please note: Disney's THE LION KING is recommended for ages 6 and up. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age.

This performance is part of the 2018/2019 KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount series, presented by Seattle Theatre Group, with support for the ninth year from KeyBank as the series title sponsor. Brotherton Cadillac is the official auto sponsor, The Hotel Theodore is the official sponsor hotel and Delta Airlines is the official airline sponsor of KeyBank Broadway at The Paramount. ABOUT THE LION KING After 20 landmark years on Broadway, THE LION KING continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 95 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years. Having been performed in eight different languages over the show's life (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Scheveningen, Holland; Singapore; and on tours across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played over 100 cities in 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 co-producer. For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com. Shows, dates, times, prices, and artists are subject to change.

ABOUT TDF Now in its 50th year of service, TDF is a not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone. TDF's mission is to sustain live theatre and dance by engaging and cultivating a broad and diverse audience and eliminating barriers to attendance. TDF fulfills its mission with a variety of programs that expand access, cultivate communities, and support the makers of the performing arts. Best known for its theatregoing programs (including the TKTS Discount Booths and TDF Membership Program), net revenue generated by TKTS helps support TDF's accessibility (including open captioned, audio described and autism friendly performances), school (serving over 10,000 New York City students annually), community engagement and information programs - as well as the TDF Costume Collection Rental and Research Programs - and have introduced millions of people to the theatre and helped make the unique experience of theatre available to everyone. TDF envisions a world where the transformative experience of attending live theatre and dance is essential, relevant, accessible and inspirational. To learn more about TDF, go to: www.tdf.org.

Sensory Access is a Seattle-based national organization whose mission it is to provide accessibility to the arts and community events/venues for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and other sensory difficulties. Sensory Access works directly with venues and event producers to create accessibility, often without any need to change the production itself. Services include sensory tools, previewing of shows to provide sensory information and even one-to-one support at the event when needed. Sensory Access offers national certification through training, venue modifications and addition of sensory accessible services. For more information visit www.sensoryaccess.org.

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