TOURING ENGAGEMENT IS
THE HIGHEST-GROSSING THEATRICAL PRODUCTION TO PLAY THE SCHUSTER CENTER
Dayton, OH (July
13, 2011) – Disney's THE LION KING set new
box office records during its four-week premiere engagement at the Benjamin
& Marion Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton. The sold-out engagement,
part of Victoria Theatre Association's Miami Valley & Good Samaritan
Hospitals Broadway Series, concluded on July 10 and grossed over $5.3 million at the box office and
entertained nearly 70,000 patrons during 32 performances (the previous record
was held by WICKED which grossed $4.5 million during 24 performances).
It
is estimated that THE LION KING
generated an $18 million economic benefit to Dayton from travel, hotels,
restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and
production staff. This figure is based
upon a Touring Broadway League report which states that on average, Broadway
tours contribute to the local metropolitan area's economy an economic impact 3.5
times the gross ticket sales.
"It was
truly a pleasure to present Disney's THE
LION KING to the Miami Valley community. The cast, crew and staff of
Disney's THE LION KING were a
delight to work with throughout the entire run," said Ken Neufeld, President
& CEO of Victoria Theatre Association and Arts Center Foundation. "Because
of THE LION KING's popularity, we have been able to provide a substantial
boost to Dayton's economy and downtown nightlife, not to mention reaching new
audiences and introducing new generations of theatre-goers to the performing
arts in our community."
"We are so proud to have shared
the experience of this groundbreaking production with audiences in Dayton, and
to have entertained so many first-time and regular theatergoers," said Jack
Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. "It is
incredible to reflect that in our ninth year of touring this theatrical
phenomenon, we are still doing huge business at the box office while visiting
new cities throughout North America. We are looking forward to continued
success in the coming years."
This North American National Tour has been seen by nearly 13
million theatergoers and grossed over $834 million to date. Enjoying its ninth year on the
road, THE LION KING continues to celebrate unparalleled achievements and
delight new audiences throughout North America. The current schedule is
listed below.
ABOUT THE LION KING
Now in its 14th 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 1997 Broadway premiere, 18
global productions have been seen by more than 55 million people, grossed over
$4.3 billion to date and have cumulatively run 83 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 five
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 (its flagship
production), on stages across North America, and in Las Vegas, London's West
End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Singapore and Sapporo.
In October, the first Spanish production will bow in 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 worldwide
visit, LionKing.com