Ongoing Performances
» Lion King New York | Minskoff Theatre | New York, New York | January 1-December 31
» Lion King London | Lyceum Theatre | London, England | January 1-December 31

According to Ken Neufeld, president and CEO of the Victoria Theatre Association which owns and operates the Schuster Performing Arts Center where ‘The Lion King’ was staged, the musical grossed $5.3 million worth of tickets, which is tantamount to about 70,000 theatre goers who went out and witnessed this grand and epic musical in Dayton. This is definitely good news for the Victoria Theatre Association and Disney, but more so for the city itself, because of the impact the show had among the city’s establishments such as restaurants, bars, hotels, parking spaces and even the tourism sector.

For instance, Uno’s Chicago Grill located on North Main Street was almost always at full capacity throughout the past month, serving to about 10,000 customers, which is two times greater than their usual capacity. The same goes for Citilites Restaurant & Bar, housed at the Schuster Center. The bar, which is a quick stopover for patrons, served 3,600 customers during the show’s run in the center.

The hospitality industry was no exception. Given that the musical entailed a huge ensemble of cast and crew, it was estimated that 3,000 hotel rooms were occupied by the said group. The same group, who had nothing to do during the day since performances commence in the evening, also did good for the city’s tourism sector, after they flocked the city’s various tourist attractions such as the National Museum of the US Air Force and Kings Island, to name a few. “They did everything you could do around here, because they had a lot of time during the day,” Neufeld said.

While the exact theatre figures aren’t out yet, the estimates are not farfetched at all. Based from the positive feedback from theatre goers and the equally positive chain reaction it had in the city as a whole, a second Dayton engagement of ‘The Lion King’ is not a bad idea at all. “They [Disney] never thought we would have this many people come in a market this size,” Neufeld said, adding that execs from Disney were “ecstatic” with the results and were surprised with the city’s reception with the production. As such, it is highly likely that Simba will return to Dayton sooner than later as theatre execs are already working out a deal with Disney for a return engagement, and Simba can tag his other Disney musical friends as well for the ride back to the Gem City.

Tagging along for the magic carpet ride in Seattle is Tony Award nominated director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw of ‘The Book of Mormon’ fame. He will be helming the inaugural stage adaptation of the Disney animated classic along with Courtney Reed as Jasmine, James Monroe Iglehart as the Genie and Tony nominee and Seattle native Jonathan Freeman as the villainous Jafar, a character that is not entirely new to the actor since he lent his voice for it in the original movie. The production will also feature more Seattle homegrown talents, such as Sean G. Griffin as the Sultan and Don Darryl Rivera as Iago, plus Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Brian Gonzales and Brandon O’Neill as the story’s famed trio, Omak, Babkak and Kassim, respectively.

The musical is not only a mere adaptation of the Disney hit, but it will also give audiences an opportunity to hear and enjoy the songs and scores that were never played or used in the original film. Apart from ‘Friend like Me’, ‘Prince Ali’ and the Academy Award winning track ‘A Whole New World’, the musical will also showcase other tunes penned by the same trio of Academy Award winning musicians who composed the original film’s tunes – Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Featuring a book penned by Chad Beguelin who penned the screenplay for ‘The Wedding Singer’, expect orchestrations and production numbers that are not only reminiscent of Cab Calloway or Fats Waller’s jazz beats, but one that paints a picture paying tribute to the classic ‘Road to…’ film series made popular by Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour in the 1940s.

So what does the lucky Welch Family get for being the most celebrated guest of the musical’s Las Vegas run? Apart from a two-night stay at a family suite at Mandalay Bay, complete with full meals and use of amenities, Disney will whisk them away to the Mecca of theatre entertainment itself – Broadway – to see two Disney productions, the classic ‘Mary Poppins’ and of course, the Broadway company of ‘The Lion King’.

“I saw THE LION KING for the first time [today], and it was fantastic. It’s unbelievable [to be the millionth guest]; I’m shocked and amazed; I can’t believe it,” says Robert Welch, the family patriarch who took his entire family – his wife Shaneka and daughters Rachel, 7 and Kaitlyn, 6 – to see the show in celebration of Mother’s Day. Shaneka was also thrilled, not only about their luck, but also in what she has seen onstage, just like the millions who have seen the epic musical wherever it went, “The stage, the settings, the costumes – everything was just so beautiful and beyond what I would’ve imagined at all. It was great how they transformed you into the world, and the music was beautiful; it was an amazing show.”

In return, ‘Lion King’ producer and Disney Theatrical Group president Thomas Schumacher has this to say not only to the lucky family, but also to everyone who went out and experienced this grand production: “We’d like to thank the Las Vegas locals and tourists who’ve embraced THE LION KING at Mandalay Bay, helping us to reach this significant milestone.”

No wonder this production has managed to reach such a feat. During the nine weeks of its Mandalay Bay residency, ‘The Lion King’ broke the venue’s box office record as well as its own record four times over since it was first staged in Sin City two years ago. “A landmark event in entertainment” as Newsweek calls it, this worldwide theatrical hit will make you “gasp again and again at the visual majesty of the show”, for “there is simply nothing else like it” (The New York Times).

Oliver has played the role of Simba before in the Las Vegas production of The Lion King. He has also appeared in both Wicked and In the Heights on Broadway.

Also appearing in The Lion King are Gareth Saxe in the role of Scar Alton Fitzgerald White in the role of Mufasa, Tshidi Manye in the role of Rafiki, Chauntee Schuler in the role of Nala, Cameron Pow in the role of Zazu, Tom Alan Robbins in the role of Pumbaa, and Fred Berman in the role of Timon. The production, which has been on stage since November 13, 1997, is directed by Julie Taymore. Its music is by Elton John, and the lyrics are by Tim Rice. The show has won six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical.

The two new actors will alternate performances with Alphonso Romero Jones II who is currently playing the role of ‘Young Simba’ and Khail Toi Bryant who is currently playing the role of ‘Young Nala.’

Bellamy, who is 11 years old was born in Baltimore and has been seen appearing with Johns Hopkins’ Unified Voices Choir. He has also had a starring role in ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ and ‘The Wiz’ at Maryland’s Cahill Theatrical Arts Center.
Becton, who is 9 years old was born in Maywood, Illinois and started performing both musically and on stage at a young age.

The other actors in The Lion King are Gareth Saxe, who plays the role of Scar; Alton Fitzgerald White, who plays the role of Mufasa; Tshidi Manye, who plays the role of Rafiki; Cameron Pow, who plays the role of Zazu; Ben Jeffrey, who plays the role of Pumbaa; Fred Berman, who plays the role of Timon; Dashaun Young, who plays the role of Simba; Chauntee Schuler, who plays the role of Nala; James Brown-Orleans, who plays the role of Banzai; Bonita J. Hamilton, who plays the role of Shenzi and Enrique Segura, who plays the role of Ed.
Julie Taymor directs the production and Garth Fagan choreographs the dances. The musical first debuted on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The first previews ran from October 15, 1997 until opening night. The musical transferred to the Minskoff Theatre on June 13, 2006.
The storyline of the musical revolves around Simba as a young lion cub who is trying to cope with the duties he must assume as he takes over as king.

Taymor, director of the musical, was the first woman in the history of Broadway to be awarded with a Tony for Best Director of a Musical.

The book for The Lion King was written by Irene Mecchi and Roger Allers. The musical score was written by Elton John, with contributions by Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina, Lebo M, and Jay Rifkin. The lyrics were written by Tim Rice.

Richard Hudson is in charge of set design, Michael Curry is in charge of costume design, Donald Holder is in charge of lighting design, and Steve Canyon Kennedy is in charge of sound design.

Overall, The Lion King has won a total of six Tony Awards, one of which was for Best Musical. It is currently the 8th longest-running production on Broadway. It now holds the record that was most recently owned by ‘Rent.’

Watch in awe as the musical’s intricate, vivid and epic production numbers keep you on the edge of your seats, its heartwarming and powerful tunes and scores move you emotionally, and as its visually stunning costumes keep your sights locked to the show. The musical is directed by Tony Award winner Julie Taymour with scores composed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Elton John.

The touring cast of The Lion King includes Adam Jacobs as Simba, Syndee Winters as Nala, Nick Cordileone as Timon, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, J. Anthony Crane as Scar, Dionne Randolph as Mufasa, Brenda Mhlongo as Rafiki and Tony Freeman as Zazu.

The Lion King chronicles the life of Simba, the rightful heir to the kingdom of Pride Rock who exiled himself after his uncle, the ambitious and deceitful Scar, blamed him for King Mufasa’s death, a death carefully orchestrated by Scar. Witness Simba’s journey from a carefree cub to a responsible and courageous lion determined to take back what is rightfully his, even if it meant going up against his own flesh and blood.

The touring cast of “The Lion King” includes Adam Jacobs as Simba, Syndee Winters as Nala, Nick Cordileone as Timon, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, J. Anthony Crane as Scar, Dionne Randolph as Mufasa, Brenda Mhlongo as Rafiki and Tony Freeman as Zazu.

This musical adaptation of the epic 1994 Walt Disney animated film of the same name is recognized as the eighth longest running musical in the Great White Way, since its premiere in 1997. The musical features songs and scores composed by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, an adapted script from Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, and direction from Julie Taymour.

Adam Jacobs will play the lead role of Simba, the self-exiled prodigal lion and heir to the throne of Pride Rock. Completing the lead casts are Syndee Winters as Nala, Nick Cordileone as Timon, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, J. Anthony Crane as Scar, Dionne Randolph as Mufasa, Brenda Mhlongo as Rafiki and Tony Freeman as Zazu. For advanced tickets, premium seating and sold out shows, review the ticket options featured below.

Adapted from the 1994 popular Disney film of the same title, this 1998 Tony Award’s Best Musical winner is adapted for the stage by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, with songs and scores composed by Elton John and lyrics penned by Tim Rice. Critically acclaimed stage director Julie Taymour helms the touring production which is scheduled to run in more than 20 North American cities.

The touring cast of The Lion King includes Adam Jacobs as Simba, Syndee Winters as Nala, Nick Cordileone as Timon, Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa, J. Anthony Crane as Scar, Dionne Randolph as Mufasa, Brenda Mhlongo as Rafiki and Tony Freeman as Zazu.