History of Disney’s The Lion King
Celebrating 26 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, 28 global productions have been seen by over 112 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart, and Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with three productions worldwide running 20 or more years and two others running 25 or more years.
Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), there are currently eight productions of The Lion King around the world: Broadway, London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Sao Paulo and on tour across North America. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 28 countries on every continent except Antarctica; its 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.
Director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical, remains actively involved in the show, launching new productions and maintaining the flagship Broadway production.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs 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 Lebo M’s rich choral numbers.
Elton John, Lebo M, and Hans Zimmer all collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King 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), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor), Lisa Dawn Cave (production supervisor), Thomas Schlenk (general manager) and ARC/Mark Brandon, CSA (casting). Anne Quart serves as executive producer.
Salvatore Antonio
Scar
Zama Magudulela
Rafiki
David D’Lancy Wilson
Mufasa
Will Jeffs
Zazu
Trevor Patt
Pumbaa
Brian Sills
Timon
Camille Eanga-Selenge
Nala
Aphiwe Nyezi
Simba
Jewelle Blackman
Shenzi
Joema Frith
Banzai
Simon Gallant
Ed
Zora Cameron
Young Nala
Ana Victoria Dinapo
Young Nala
Lucien Duncan-Reid
Young Simba
Nendia Lewars
Young Nala
Ira Nabong
Young Simba
Oliver Woon
Young Simba
Caleb Ajao
Male Singer Ensemble
Damien Broomes
Swing
Wade Buller
Male Dancer Ensemble
Krystle Chance
Swing
Lisa Michelle Cornelius
Female Singer Ensemble/Sarabi
Isabel Dela Cruz
Female Dancer Ensemble
Vania DoDoo-Beals
Female Dancer Ensemble
Jordan Faye
Male Dancer Ensemble
Felander
Swing
Alex Furber
Standby
Katherine Gayle-Keswa
Female Dancer Ensemble
Tristan Ghostkeeper
Swing
Rose-Mary Harbans
Female Dancer Ensemble
Jasmine Huang
Swing
Rebaone Kgosimore
Male Singer Ensemble
Lia Loewen
Swing
Lisakhanya Matrose
Female Singer Ensemble
Adrienne Metivier Taylor
Female Dancer Ensemble
Khayaloxolo Mniki
Male Singer Ensemble
Iteboge Modipane
Male Singer Ensemble
Buhle Nkomo
Male Singer Ensemble
Martina Ortiz Luis
Female Singer Ensemble
Hugo Pimentel
Swing
Busisiwe Shezi
Female Singer Ensemble
Elljay Timmangen
Male Dancer Ensemble
Luc Trottier
Standby
Trayvon Ward
Male Dancer Ensemble
Ocean Williams
Female Singer Ensemble
Tenaj Williams
Male Singer Ensemble
Zachary Williams
Male Dancer Ensemble
Oren Williamson
Male Singer Ensemble
Zinzi Xalisa
Female Singer Ensemble
Marlee Young
Female Dancer Ensemble
Angel Zuma
Swing
Julie Taymor
Director, Costume Design, Mask/Puppet Co-Design, Additional Lyrics
Elton John
Music
Tim Rice
Lyrics
Lebo M
Additional Music & Lyrics, Vocal Score, Vocal Arrangements, Choral Director
Mark Mancina
Additional Music & Lyrics, Music Produced for the Stage, Additional Score
Roger Allers
Book
Irene Mecchi
Book
Garth Fagan
Choreographer
Richard Hudson
Scenic Design
Donald Holder
Lighting Design
Michael Curry
Mask & Puppet Co-Design
Michael Ward
Hair & Makeup Design
Steve Canyon Kennedy
Sound Design
Hans Zimmer
Additional Music & Lyrics
Jay Rifkin
Additional Music & Lyrics
'Circle of Life' in 360º | THE LION KING on Broadway
Use your mouse or arrow keys to explore the show’s iconic opening number. View on tablet or mobile for a more immersive experience.
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Casting Call
Building a Show - Episode 2
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The Return of the King
Building a Show - Episode 1
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Meet the Toronto Cast
Casting Announced - Toronto Production.
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Disney's The Lion King
Performances begin November 2, 2024.
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Disney's The Lion King Announcement
In an unprecedented coup, Toronto will become the first city in North America to have a second sit-down production of Disney’s The Lion King.
Awards
Tony® Awards, 1998
- Best Musical
- Best Director of a Musical - Julie Taymor
- Best Choreography - Garth Fagan
- Best Scenic Design - Richard Hudson
- Best Costume Design - Julie Taymor
- Best Lighting Design - Donald Holder
Drama Desk Awards, 1998
- Best Director of a Musical - Julie Taymor
- Best Choreography - Garth Fagan
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Tsidii Le Loka
- Best Scenic Design - Richard Hudson
- Best Costume Design - Julie Taymor
- Best Lighting Design - Donald Holder
- Best Puppet Design - Julie Taymor & Michael Curry
- Best Sound Design - Tony Meola
Outer Critics Circle Awards, 1998
- Best Director of a Musical - Julie Taymor
- Best Choreography - Garth Fagan
- Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Tsidii Le Loka
- Best Scenic Design - Richard Hudson
- Best Costume Design - Julie Taymor
- Best Lighting Design - Donald Holder
Drama League Awards, 1998
- Best Director of a Musical - Julie Taymor
- Best Choreography - Garth Fagan
New York Drama Critics Award, 1998
- Best Musical
Theatre World Award, 1998
- Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Max Casella
Astaire Award, 1998
- Outstanding Choreography - Garth Fagan
Grammy® Award, 1998
- Best Musical Show Album - Mark Mancina, Producer