L. Steven Taylor News

The Hawai'i return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7:30pm at the Blaisdell Concert Hall for a limited engagement of eight weeks through March 9, 2014. In Hawai'i, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, Friday evenings at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm. There will also be a 2pm matinee performance on Friday, March 7.

The Lion King/book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi/music & lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice/additional music & lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M. Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Julie Taymor/directed by Julie Taymor/Pantages Theatre/through January 12, 2014

The Los Angeles return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, November 22, 2013 at 8pm at the Hollywood Pantages for a limited eight-week engagement through January 12, 2014. Hollywood Pantages General Manager Martin Wiviott says "The Circle of Life is once again complete as THE LION KING returns to its Los Angeles home. From its initial debut here in 2000 until now, the excitement and enthusiasm for this spectacular stage production hasn't diminished, but has instead grown by leaps (of the gazelles) and bounds. All of us here at the Hollywood Pantages look forward to a holiday season full of good cheer and great theatre. Welcome home, Lion King!"

The Tempe return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. at ASU Gammage for a limited engagement of four weeks through November 17. In Tempe, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. "We are thrilled to have THE LION KING back in Tempe," said Colleen Jennings Roggensack, Executive Director of ASU Gammage. "There are still wonderful seats available, so be sure not to miss this show and create lasting memories with your family."

Casting has been announced for the Los Angeles return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Los Angeles' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Hollywood Pantages stage from November 20, 2013 - January 12, 2014. The press opening night is Friday, November 22 at 8pm. The landmark musical will return to Los Angeles for the first time since its triumphant return engagement in November 2006, where the production played a sold-out run at Hollywood Pantages.

Casting has been announced for the Los Angeles return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Los Angeles' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Hollywood Pantages stage from November 20, 2013 - January 12, 2014. The press opening night is Friday, November 22 at 8pm. The landmark musical will return to Los Angeles for the first time since its triumphant return engagement in November 2006, where the production played a sold-out run at Hollywood Pantages.

The Dallas return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Hall at Fair Park for a limited engagement of three weeks, through October 20. In Dallas, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 1:30 p.m. There will be a 1:30 p.m. matinee performance on Friday, October 18. The award-winning musical returns to Dallas following a six-week sold-out premiere engagement in 2002 and a successful five-week engagement in 2007 at the Music Hall.

Casting has been announced for the Dallas engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. Dallas' most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Music Hall at Fair Park stage from Wednesday, October 2 to Sunday, October 20. The press opening night is Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. The show's previous two engagement in 2002 and 2007 played sold-out runs at the Music Hall.

The Pittsburgh return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Friday, September 6 at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center, for a limited engagement of four weeks through Sunday, September 29, 2013. 'Sales for Pittsburgh's third return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING are brisk, but tickets can still be purchased, with weeknights having the best availability. By the end of the four-week, 32-performance run of the blockbuster engagement, we expect to host over 80,000 people at the Benedum Center-many who will be dining out, shopping, and booking hotel stays. All together, the economic impact for Downtown Pittsburgh and the Cultural District is expected to be significant,' comments Marc Fleming, Vice President of Marketing and Communications-Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

The Charlotte return of Disney's THE LION KING opens tonight, Thursday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Belk Theater for a limited engagement of four weeks through September 1. In Charlotte, THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The Broadway community gathered celebrate the life and show business legacy of beloved Broadway performer Kevin Gray yesterday, May 13 at 2PM at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The Majestic Theatre held a special place for Mr. Gray, having starred there in The Phantom of the Opera, first as Raoul and later as The Phantom. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos from the celebration below.

A new program is coming to town! Music Dance Theatre Workshops brings Broadway performers to Indianapolis to give personalized coaching and performance instruction to young actors in the central-Indiana arts community. All teaching artists are originally from the Midwest, most with ties to Indianapolis. These performers, many with Broadway credits, are excited to give back to the community that shaped them into the artists they have become today!

On Thursday, August 5, cast members from Disney's THE LION KING on Broadway celebrated the return of a wax replica of the beloved baboon shaman 'Rafiki' to Madame Tussauds. The figure, which was originally unveiled at Tussauds in 2006, is dressed in a replica of the original Rafiki costume designed by Julie Taymor, who won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design and Best Direction of a Musical for THE LION KING. The figure was created by Madame Tussauds Studio artists with the help of costume and makeup artists from the London production of THE LION KING.

Disney's landmark musical event THE LION KING celebrated 5000 Broadway performances on Thursday, November 5 at the Minskoff Theatre. Only eight other musicals have reached this milestone, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast. THE LION KING is the ninth longest-running musical in Broadway history and the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide.

A by-invitation-only staged reading of CUTMAN, a boxing musical, will be presented March 9th at The New 42nd Street Studios.

A by-invitation-only staged reading of CUTMAN, a boxing musical, will be presented March 9th at The New 42nd Street Studios.

Disney's The Lion King will surely bring home the lion's share of popularity in the 2006 Philadelphia theater season.