Single Tickets for Disney’s The Lion King Go On Sale in Minneapolis at 8 a.m., Friday, Nov. 4

Performances begin January 11 and run for five weeks through February 12, 2012.

MINNEAPOLIS—Disney Theatrical Productions and Hennepin Theatre Trust announced today that single tickets for the highly anticipated return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King, running January 11 through February 12, 2012 at the Orpheum Theatre, will go on sale to the public at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. From 8 to 10 a.m., tickets will only be available in person at the State Theatre Box Office. Beginning at 10 a.m., tickets will also be sold online through HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center.

When The Lion King once again leaps onto the Orpheum Theatre stage for this limited engagement of five weeks, Minneapolis becomes the first city in North America to host this inspiring production four times. The first preview performance is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012 and the official opening night is at 8 p m., Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. The Lion King celebrated its world premiere in 1997 at the Orpheum, followed by sold-out engagements in 2005 and 2007. It is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2011/12 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season.

Disney selected Minneapolis for the world premiere of The Lion King in 1997 because of the city’s reputation for an intelligent and supportive theatre audience. Once the show opened, it was an instant success that laid the groundwork for the international acclaim that followed. The world premiere of The Lion King played a key role in solidifying Minneapolis as a major player in the Broadway marketplace, and the city, home to the Hennepin Theatre District, maintains its reputation as a premier locale for the hottest Broadway shows.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for Disney’s The Lion King go on sale at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55402) only. At 10 a.m., tickets will be available at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling Ticketmaster at 1.800.982.2787 or at a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. Ticket prices start as low as $30. In addition, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seating location, commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 15 or more should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations. Tickets to The Lion King may be purchased now as part of a flexible ticket package by visiting HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Performances dates for The Lion King are Wednesday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012 at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre (910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 55403).

Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. There are also 2 p.m. matinees on Thursday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 9. There is no 6:30 p.m. show on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Please note: we are anticipating a high demand for tickets to the Minneapolis engagement of Disney’s The Lion King. The only way to guarantee the authenticity of the ticket is to purchase from an authorized ticket seller, and the ONLY authorized ticket sellers are the State Theatre Box Office, Ticketmaster and HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

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 60 million people, grossed over $4.6 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.”

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. The current schedule is listed below. For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SCHEDULE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2012:

Syracuse – Oncenter-Crouse Hinds Theatre
September 6 – October 2, 2011

Buffalo–Shea’s Performing Arts Center
October 4–30, 2011

Denver–Buell Theatre
November 2–December 4, 2011

Baltimore–Hippodrome Theatre
December 7–January 8, 2012

Minneapolis–Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre
January 11–February 12, 2012

New Orleans–Mahalia Jackson Theatre
March 14–April 15, 2012

Orlando–Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
April 17–May 13, 2012

Miami–Adrienne Arsht Center
May 17–June 10, 2012

Greenville–Peace Center for Performing Arts
June 12–July 8, 2012

Houston–Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
July 10–August 12, 2012

St. Louis–Fox Theatre
August 15–September 2, 2012

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, non-profit owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and the newly developed New Century Theatres, is devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust’s activities include Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidential series, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids’ Night. For more information, visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO-Theatrical), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jerusalem, Memphis and the West End production of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.