Disney's THE LION KING Comes to the Hobby Center, Now thru 8/12

Disney Theatrical Productions and Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center previously announced the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING to Houston. The show leaps onto the Hobby Center stage tonight, July 10 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, August 12. THE LION KING's sold-out eight-week Houston premiere engagement in 2002 at Jones Hall was followed by a sold-out six-week return engagement in 2006 at the Hobby Center. 

In Houston, THE LION KING will play Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m., and Sunday performances at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices start as low as $31.50. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are available at the Hobby Center Box Office, which opens 10 a.m. for ticket purchases (regular box office hours are Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.), all Ticketmaster outlets, and online at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Houston, www.TheHobbyCenter.org and www.LionKing.com.  Tickets can also be purchased by calling (800) 982-ARTS. Orders for groups of fifteen (15) or more may be placed by calling 888-451-5986 or e-mailing houston.groups@broadwayacrossamerica.com.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by over 13.5 million theatergoers and grossed over $875 million to date.  Having already played more than 60 cities across North America, THE LION KING returns to Houston's Hobby Center. 

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 15^th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 63 million people, grossed over $4.7 billion and have, cumulatively, run a staggering 89 years.  Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only six productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more both on Broadway and in the West End.  Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 14 different countries on five continents.  THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, and in Tokyo, London's West End, 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, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor.  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. 

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters.  Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING.  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:  Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor).  Anne Quart serves as associate producer. 

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."

For more information, visit the official THE LION KING Web site at www.LionKing.com  

The Houston engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with Broadway Across America and the Hobby Center, and is an offering of the Gexa Energy Broadway at the Hobby Center 2011-2012 Series.