'The Lion King' triumphantly returns to ASU Gammage Oct. 22

By popular demand, Disney’s "The Lion King" will return to Tempe for the first time since 2009, where the production played a triumphant six-week run at ASU Gammage. This exclusive return engagement will begin Oct. 22 and runs through Nov. 17 and will highlight the 2013-2014 Broadway Across America – Arizona series at ASU Gammage. Group tickets of 15 or more went on sale Feb. 20 in person at the ASU Gammage Box office or by calling 480-965-6678.

Subscribers will have the first opportunity to purchase single tickets with their 2013-2014 subscription and general single tickets go on sale June 3.

The North American touring productions of "The Lion King" have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $983 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, "The Lion King" now proudly returns to the Valley of the Sun.

Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, with a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, the title has already earned more than the biggest hit films in movie history – more than the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy combined, more than the six "Star Wars" films combined, and more than "Avatar" and "Titanic," the No. 1 and No. 2 highest-grossing films in movie history, combined.

With eight productions currently playing around the world, it will make its South American and Portuguese language debut when it begins performances in Sao Paolo, Brazil in February 2013.  With that production, "The Lion King's" 21 productions will have played in 98 cities in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

As it enters its 16th year, "The Lion King" remains ascendant, and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on Nov. 13, 1997, 20 global productions have been seen by more than 66 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), "The Lion King" is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), "The Lion King" can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London’s West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg and Madrid. 

"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 in Las Vegas, Madrid and the UK tour and just completed casting the Brazilian production in Sao Paolo.

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 associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.