The Lion King Musical History

Come see all the beloved songs & characters from The Lion King movie lighting up the stage as a smash Broadway musical!

Lion King: From the Big Screen…
The Lion King – the animated Walt Disney Pictures film – hit the movie theatres in June 1994. With a story based on Shakespeare’s classic play Hamlet, The Lion King told the tale of a young cub named Simba who is next in line behind his father Mufasa to take the throne as King of Pride Rock. Simba’s uncle Scar and a pack of misfit hyenas scheme to reign over the kingdom. Simba meets beloved Lion King characters Timon, Pumbaa, Nala, and Rafiki who ultimately aid in Simba’s return to Pride Rock to take his rightful place as king.

The Lion King tickets flew out of the box office as audiences rushed to the theatres to see this instant Disney classic. The Lion King movie was the highest grossing animated film in cinema history until another Disney (computer-animated) film Finding Nemo broke the record in 2003. However, The Lion King still holds its place in history as the highest grossing traditionally animated film. The music and story of The Lion King were met with critical acclaim. Disney fans helped push The Lion King to $783 million in The Lion King tickets sold worldwide, making The Lion King the most successful film of 1994.

Lion King: …To the Broadway Stage
In July 1997, The Lion King movie took on new life as a musical first in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Orpheum Theatre before premiering on Broadway in October 1997. Directed by Julie Taymor, the Broadway musical of The Lion King used actors in animal costumes along with giant puppets to portray the characters from the original Lion King. With productions of The Lion King musical playing in cities worldwide and The Lion King tickets as hot as ever, The Lion King musical has proven that it is equally as successful as its film predecessor.

Lion King: Crafting the Musical
Director and designer of The Lion King musical Julie Taymor is known for mythical staging inspired by international theatrical forms. Julie Taymor helped bring the epic conflict between lions to life on stage that fully amazes fans with The Lion King tickets. Actors use costumes and masks and control puppets to portray all the Disney-animated animals of The Lion King movie. Set designer Richard Hudson helped to create the scenery that fans with The Lion King tickets see, including the vibrant Pride Rock and the dangerous Elephant Graveyard, among others.

Lion King: Tony Awards & More
With fans with The Lion King tickets and critics alike raving about The Lion King musical on Broadway, it’s no wonder that The Lion King Broadway musical has garnered a bevy of awards and critical praise. The Lion King was nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning six of them, including “Best Musical,” “Best Scenic Design for a Musical,” “Best Costume Design for a Musical,” “Best Lighting Design of a Musical,” “Best Choreography,” and “Best Direction of a Musical.” The Lion King musical and its actors and creative team were recognized with numerous Drama Desk Awards, an Olivier Award, and more.

Lion King: Songs & Score
The Lion King tickets will feature many of the original songs from The Lion King, while a handful of original songs not on The Lion King movie soundtrack can also be heard in The Lion King Broadway musical. Fans with The Lion King tickets can be heard singing along with The Lion King lyrics to the following songs in both Act I and Act II:

• “Circle of Life” – lyrics and music written by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “The Morning Report” – lyrics and music written by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” – lyrics and music written by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “Chow Down” – lyrics and music written by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “They Live in You” – lyrics and music by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Lebo M
• “Be Prepared” – lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “The Stampede/Rafiki Mourns” – lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “Hakuna Matata” – lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “One by One” – lyrics and music by Lebo M
• “The Madness of King Scar” – lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “Shadowland” – lyrics and music by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, and Mark Mancina
• “Endless Night” – lyrics and music by Julie Taymor, Lebo M, Hans Zimmer and Jay Rifkin
• “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – lyrics and music by Elton John and Tim Rice
• “He Lives in You (Reprise)” – lyrics and music by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Lebo M
• “King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)” – lyrics and music by Hans Zimmer and Lebo M/Elton John and Tim Rice

Lion King: Touring Productions
With The Lion King musical hitting theatre stages worldwide, The Lion King tickets have been a hot sell since its Broadway debut. Although some theatrical runs have ended, fans can still order The Lion King tickets from OnlineTickets.com today to see The Lion King musical productions in cities across the U.S. and around the world:

• United States (New York City) – currently playing at Minskoff Theatre (2006-present)
• United States (Los Angeles) – Pantages Theatre (2000-03)
• United States (tour) – theatres nationwide
• United States (Las Vegas) – Mandalay Bay (opening in Spring 2009)
• United Kingdom (London) – currently playing at Lyceum Theatre (1999-present)
• Canada (Toronto) – Princess of Wales Theatre (1999-2004)
• Australia (Sydney) – Capitol Theatre (2003-05)
• Australia (Melbourne) – Regent Theatre (2005-06)
• Korea (Seoul) – Charlotte Theater (2006-07)
• South Africa (Johannesburg) – Teatro Theatre (2007-08)
• France (Paris) – Théâtre Mogador (2007-present)
• Spain (Madrid) – Teatro Lope de Vega (opening in Fall 2009)