THE LION KING Tour Celebrates Sold-Out Record Breaking Engagement At Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Disney's THE LION KING is celebrating a sold-out record breaking engagement which ended on Sunday, March 31. The triumphant three-week premiere engagement grossed more than $3.5 million at the box office and entertained more than 37,000 theatergoers. The engagement, which played 23 performances from March 14 through March 31, broke the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's record for the highest-grossing and most attended engagement in their history.

It is estimated that the Sarasota engagement of THE LION KING generated an economic benefit of more than $11.4 million to the Sarasota economy 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 found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.27 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area's economy.

"Bringing THE LION KING to Sarasota has been an effort many years in the making," stated Mary Bensel, Executive Director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. "It has been thrilling to see the joy and excitement of the entire community at this special premiere which was also the first time the hall has ever presented a three-week run. This completely sold out production also broke all box office records. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds have been moved by these amazing performances and the actors have been a joy to work with. This production surpassed our highest expectations on all levels. Bravo to all!"

"What a delight to bring THE LION KING to Sarasota in its premiere engagement," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic Touring and Regional Engagements, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are overwhelmed by the response to the show and thank the Sarasota community and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for a sensational run."

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 20 million theatergoers in over 80 cities throughout North America.

ABOUT THE LION KING
After 21 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 and Sapporo; Madrid; Scheveningen, Holland; Daegu, South Korea; and on tour across North America, 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.