THE LION KING North American Tour Celebrates Sold-Out Run in Toronto

Disney's THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out eight-week return engagement in Toronto which concluded on Sunday, June 12. The engagement, which the Toronto Star enthused, "is back and more glorious than ever," grossed over $12 million at the box office and entertained more than 123,000 patrons during 64 performances at The Princess of Wales Theatre. The multi-award-winning musical returned to Toronto after making its Canadian premiere in April 2000 at The Princess of Wales Theatre where it played 1,560 performances (closing in January 2004).

It is estimated that THE LION KING generated a $42 million economic benefit to Toronto from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Touring Broadway League report which states that on average, Broadway tours contribute to the local metropolitan area's economy an economic impact 3.5 times the gross ticket sales.
"In all our years of producing and presenting theatre in Toronto, we have never had a show that was as beloved by as broad a demographic as THE LION KING," says David Mirvish. "When the musical originally opened at the very beginning of this new century, it brought generations together in the theatre. Young couples, families, groups of friends, parents out on 'date nights,' everyone came to experience the magic that is THE LION KING. And now a new generation was able to share in that magic. THE LION KING remains one of the landmark theatrical performances of all time."

"We are so proud to have once again shared the experience of this groundbreaking production with audiences in Toronto, and to have entertained so many first-time and regular theatergoers," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are overwhelmed by the enduring response to the show and thank the city of Toronto for another incredible engagement."

This North American National Tour has been seen by nearly 13 million theatergoers and grossed over $834 million to date. Enjoying its ninth year on the road, THE LION KING continues to celebrate unparalleled achievements and delight new audiences in the U.S. and Canada. The record-breaking musical has played to sold-out audiences in Canada during the past two years, including engagements in Calgary and Edmonton in 2009 and Vancouver in 2010. The tour will return to Canada this summer where it will play premiere engagements in Ottawa and Montreal. The current schedule is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING

Now in its 14th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its 1997 Broadway premiere, 18 global productions have been seen by more than 55 million people, grossed over $4.3 billion to date and have cumulatively run 83 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only five productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more, both on Broadway and in the West End. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents. THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway (its flagship production), on stages across North America, and in Las Vegas, London's West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Singapore and Sapporo. In October, the first Spanish production will bow in Madrid.

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, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. 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.

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. 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: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

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."
For more information worldwide visit, LionKing.com

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2012:
Dayton - Schuster Center

June 14 - July 10, 2011

Ottawa - National Arts Center

July 14 - August 7, 2011

Montreal - Place des Arts

August 9 - September 4, 2011

Syracuse - Oncenter-Crouse Hinds Theatre

September 6 - October 2, 2011

Buffalo - Shea's Performing Arts Center

October 4 - 30, 2011

Denver - Buell Theatre

November 2 - December 4, 2011

Baltimore - Hippodrome Theatre

December 7 - January 8, 2012

Minneapolis - Orpheum Theatre

January 11 - February 12, 2012

New Orleans - Mahalia Jackson Theatre

March 14 - April 15, 2012

Orlando - Bob Carr Performing Arts Center

April 17 - May 13, 2012

Miami - Adrienne Arsht Center

May 17 - June 10, 2012

Greenville - Peace Center for Performing Arts

June 12 - July 8, 2012

Houston - Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

July 10 - August 12, 2012

St. Louis - Fox Theatre

August 15 - September 2, 2012

 

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