At the start of The Lion King, Broadway director Julie Taymor creates a pageant that instantly transports the audience to a gorgeous world of African imagination unlike anything we've seen in Broadway musicals before or since. As the company sings "The Circle of Life," a procession of beasts parades through the aisles of the Minskoff Theatre: flocks of birds, leaping gazelles, towering giraffes, a lumbering elephant, all rendered thorugh eye-popping puppetry and costumes. Faithfully adapted from Disney's hugely popular 1994 animated movie, about a young lion who must reclaim his kingdom from the clutches of an evil uncle, the musical is one of the best Broadway shows for kids, and there's plenty of slapstick comedy to entertain the littles ones. But this is not just your children's Lion King. The movie's catchy score, by Elton John and Tim Rice, has been augmented with music rooted in proud African traditions, and the production is a stunning celebration of color and movement. No wonder The Lion King has been running for nearly 20 years. Taymor's audacious staging expands a simple cub into the pride of Broadway, not merely a fable of heredity but a celebration of heritage.
What is The Lion King?
The Lion King is a musical adapted from the 1994 Disney animated film The Lion King. It features music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. It is directed by Julie Taymor. It began previews on October 15, 1997, and opened on November 13, 1997. It is the winner of six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is currently the third-longest-running Broadway musical of all time.
Where is The Lion King playing?
The Lion King plays at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre, located at 200 West 45th Street at the corner of Seventh Avenue. (From 1997 through June 4, 2006, it was at the New Amsterdam Theatre.)
When does The Lion King play?
The Book of Mormon plays eight times a week, on the following schedule: Tuesdays at 7pm; Wednesdays at 2pm and 7pm; Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 3pm.
How do I get tickets to The Lion King on Broadway?
Tickets to The Lion King are sold online. They can also be purchased by phone (866-870-2717) or in person at the Minskoff Theatre box office. Tickets cost $89–$172, and premium tickets cost $199–$299. A limited number of $30 tickets are also available every day via The Lion King's digital lottery, which can be entered until 9am on the day of the performance. If you're looking to buy last-minute Broadway tickets, you can try your luck at the secondary or resale market.
How long is The Lion King?
The running time of The Lion King is 2 hours and 40 minutes, with one intermission.
Who is in The Lion King on Broadway?
The cast of The Lion King currently includes Gareth Saxe (Scar), L. Steven Taylor (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Jeffrey Kuhn (Zazu), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Timon), Jelani Remy (Simba) and Chantel Riley (Nala).
The Lion King original cast & crew
• Jason Raize as Simba
• John Vickery as Scar
• Samuel E. Wright as Mufasa
• Heather Headley as Nala
• Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki
• Max Casella as Timon
• Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa
• Geoff Hoyle as Zazu
• Tracy Nicole Chapman as Shenzi
• Stanley Wayne Mathis as Banzai
• Kevin Cahoon as Ed
• Gina Breedlove as Sarabi
• Scott Irby-Ranniar as Young Simba
• Kajuana Shuford as Young Nala
• Julie Taymor - Director
• Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi - Book
• Elton John - Music
• Tim Rice - Lyrics
• Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer - Additional Music and Lyrics
• Garth Fagan - Choreographer
• Richard Hudson - Scenic Design
• Julie Taymor - Costume Design
• Donald Holder - Lighting Design
• Tony Meola - Sound Design
• Disney Theatrical Productions - Producer
The Lion King awards
1998 Tony Awards
• Best Musical
• Best Direction of a Musical - Julie Taymor
• Best Choreography - Garth Fagan
• Best Scenic Design for a Musical - Richard Hudson
• Best Costume Design for a Musical - Julie Taymor and Michael Curry
• Best Lighting Design for a Musical - Donald Holder
1998 Drama Desk Awards
• Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical - Tsidii Le Loka
• Outstanding Director - Julie Taymor
• Outstanding Choreography - Garth Fagan
• Outstanding Set Design - Richard Hudson
• Outstanding Costume Design - Julie Taymor
• Outstanding Lighting Design - Donald Holder
• Outstanding Sound Design - Tony Meola
• Outstanding Puppet Design - Julie Taymor and Michael Curry
