THE LION KING Celebrates Triumphant Run In Philadelphia
September 19, 2006
Audiences in the Academy of Music attending Disney's THE LION KING.
THE LION KING established another record this week, completing its 14-week engagement at Philadelphia's historic Academy of Music having entertained a total audience of 240,000. The show's total box office of $18M rank it as the most successful touring theatrical engagement in Philadelphia history.
Making a major economic impact on the city, THE LION KING brought approximately $19 million in additional revenue to Philadelphia including parking, restaurants, hotels, retail purchases and public transportation, according to a spokesperson for the Kimmel Center.
"Philadelphia and regional audiences embraced THE LION KING at the Academy of Music beyond our expectations," said Jordan Fiksenbaum, Kimmel Center Vice President of Theatrical Productions. "THE LION KING is a fantastic production and brought in new and diverse audiences to the Academy and along the Avenue of the Arts during the normally quiet summer months. Bravo Disney and Bravo Philadelphia!"
"We are thrilled with the enthusiastic audience response THE LION KING received in Philadelphia," said Thomas Schumacher, President, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We extend our warmest thanks to The Kimmel Center and the community for embracing the show and making our traveling cast and crew of 120 feel at home for the summer."
Over the past four years, THE LION KING's two national touring productions have played to more than 10 million people in more than 44 major cities in 27 states. During the coming year, THE LION KING will premiere in Appleton, Austin, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Nashville, Orlando, Raleigh, Tucson and play return engagements in Cincinnati, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles.
THE LION KING is the winner of over 70 major awards worldwide and has become a global phenomenon seen by over 34 million people. In addition to Broadway and its two national tours, THE LION KING can also be seen in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Shanghai. New productions of the show will premiere in Seoul, South Korea, on October 28 and Johannesburg, South Africa, in June 2007.
THE LION KING follows the adventures of lion cub Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of manhood and his future role as king. THE LION KING is the winner of six 1998 Tony® Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a GRAMMY® Award for Best Musical Show Album of 1998.
Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony® Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for the show. Choreography is by Garth Fagan, scenic design is by Richard Hudson, costume design is by Julie Taymor and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, and additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer.
KIMMELCENTER, INC. is a non-profit organization that owns, manages, supports and maintains the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts as well as the Academy of Music which is owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as the home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theatre Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity in programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Cadillac Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, a unit of BUENA VISTA THEATRICAL GROUP, operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. Disney's hit productions of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING, and Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA, have been presented in 42 international productions that have been seen by nearly 70 million people worldwide—making DTP one of the world’s largest producers of live theatre. Disney's newest musical, TARZAN®, had its world premiere at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in May 2006. MARY POPPINS, produced in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh, is now playing at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, and a new production begins previews at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre October 14. Projects currently in development include THE LITTLE MERMAID with direction by Francesca Zambello and music by Alan Menken, set to open for a limited pre-Broadway run in Denver in June 2007, and THE MAN IN THE CEILING featuring original book author Jules Feiffer and composer Andrew Lippa. Further information about productions can be found at www.disneyonbroadway.com
> index of news releases
> For more information, and to request high resolution images for press use, please
send us a message online.