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Lion King expected to generate more than $15M in Dayton
The Lion King is expected to have a local economic impact of more than $15 million during its four-week run that begins on Monday, June 14 at the Schuster Performing Arts Center, according to Dayton-area arts officials. Restaurants, parking lots, hotels expect to enjoy brisk business during Lion King musical’s run.
The Victoria Theatre Association last week had sold more than $5 million in tickets for “The Lion King’s” 32 performances, said Ken Neufeld, president and chief executive.
About 9,000 Lion King Schuster Center tickets were still available from a total of 72,000, Neufeld said. He expected to sell more than 70,000 tickets by the end of the show’s run on July 10.
On average, Broadway tours generate an economic impact of 3.5 times the gross ticket sales to a local metropolitan area’s economy, according to The Broadway League, a national trade association.
“The Lion King” will bring 2,200 people downtown for each of eight shows per week. Restaurants, bars, hotels and parking facilities are among the top beneficiaries, Neufeld said.
Uno’s Chicago Grill on North Main Street expects its best four weeks in several years because of theater crowds, said Joe Kiley, general manager. “From last week to this week, we will double in sales for ‘Lion King,’ ” Kiley said.
Citilites Restaurant & Bar at the Schuster Center anticipates full dining rooms before all performances, including matinees, said John Miller, director of food and beverage services.
Jay’s Seafood Restaurant in the Oregon Arts District saw its business spike in June 2010 as result of “The Phantom of the Opera,” which did $2.3 million in local ticket sales, said Amy Haverstick, owner and general manager.
“My weekday business is definitely increased because of the shows,” Haverstick said.
“Lion King” patrons will fill two theater-district lots operated by Parking Management Inc. for all shows, said Paul Hutchins, the company’s owner.
The production will bring more than 100 people to Dayton, including actors, crew and management. They will stay in area hotels for four to five weeks, resulting in nearly 3,500 hotel room nights occupied, Neufeld said.
Hotels also will benefit from tourists in town to see “The Lion King.” Neufeld said 10 percent of audience from “Wicked” came from outside the eight-county area surrounding Dayton.
“The Lion King” will employ 34 local union stagehands and eight musicians for each of 32 performances and one dress rehearsal. About 100 stagehands are employed to load the production both in and out of the theater.
“That money all stays in the community and gets spent where we are,” Neufeld said.
During their off hours, the touring cast and crew frequent area restaurants, movie theaters, and grocery and retail stores, further fueling the economy.
{Via DaytonDailyNews.com}
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Long-awaited Lion King Musical comes to Dayton’s Schuster Performing Arts Center
The Tony Award-winning musical “The Lion King,” which opened on Broadway almost 14 years ago, will leave its first paw prints in Dayton, Ohio beginning Tuesday, June 14. Musical theater fans in Dayton have waited a long time for the Lions Show.
By the time the production’s North American tour packs up its 18 semi truckloads after the 32nd performance in the Schuster Center on July 10, more than 74,000 ticket buyers will have paid $5 million to see it.
They aren’t the only ones who think it’s still worth waiting for. “Lion King” has been neck and neck with “Wicked” all spring as Broadway’s top draw in New York and on tour.
For the week ending June 5, “Lion King” was second only to “Wicked” in box office receipts among 32 Broadway shows — $1.7 million to $1.65 million.
To promote the business, the Downtown Dayton Partnership and Victoria Theatre Association have coordinated “Roaring Deals” packages with more than two dozen restaurants, bars, retail, service and hospitality businesses during the presentation.
Read the complete story {Via DaytonDailyNews.com}
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The Lion King New Cast members at the Lyceum Theatre
13 new cast members have joined Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Liverpudlian actress Ava Brennan makes her West End debut as ‘Nala,’ having recently played this principal role in the Hamburg production. Damian Baldet , who has worked at La Jolla Playhouse, Soho rep and the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, comes fresh from the Las Vegas production to play the role of ‘Timon’. Jacquelyn Hodges joins having also performed in the Las Vegas production and in the North American tour, to play the role of ‘Shenzi’. In addition, Sebastien Torkia will play the role of ‘Ed’. Previous West End credits include Saturday Night Fever, A Streetcar Named Desire, La Cage Aux Folles and Guys and Dolls.
New ensemble performers: Curtis Lee Scott, Cleveland Cathnott, Francisco Lins, Wade Lewin, Darcel Frederik, Aisha Jawando, Momo Yeung, Jose Alves and Jamie Golding who will contribute to the international company which already includes performers from 16 countries around the world: UK, Canada, USA, South Africa, Jamaica, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Singapore and Korea.
The show continues to feature Shaun Escoffery (Mufasa) and George Asprey (Scar).
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Lion King in Las Vegas Welcomes Its One Millionth Guest
Disney’s Lion King at Mandalay Bay Resort Casino in Las Vegas welcomed its a millionth guest Saturday, May 21 during “Fan Appreciation Month” as segment of its two-year jubilee celebration. The Lion King’s run in Las Vegas outlines the production’s longest sit-down rendezvous off Broadway in North America.
Lion King Las Vegas One Millionth Guest
The Welch family of Las Vegas was named the lucky winner and received an ultimate summer getaway. The family – comprised of parents Robert and Shaneka, and daughters Rachael, 7, and Kaitlynn, 6 – saw Lion King for the first time as their Mother’s Day gift to Shaneka. The 16-year Vegas residents’ prize package includes an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City where they will enjoy Disney’s Mary Poppins and The Lion King on Broadway. Before jetting off to the Big Apple, the family will celebrate with a relaxing two-night staycation at Mandalay Bay in a luxurious suite.
The smash hit has been seen by more than 55 million people in 18 different productions worldwide since its 1997 premiere. THE Lion King productions have grossed more than $4.3 billion to date and have cumulatively run 83 years. Newsweek calls the Tony® Award-winning sensation “a landmark event in entertainment” and The New York Times says, “You will gasp again and again at the visual majesty of the show…There is simply nothing else like it.”
Mandalay Bay’s production of The Lion King continues to reign as a landmark musical event, winning audiences over with extraordinary musical score, breathtaking costumes and a heartfelt story, while earning record-breaking numbers at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. The show is performed Monday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday shows at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Lion King Las Vegas will perform its final show Dec. 30, 2011.
Lion King Tour 2011-12 Update
Disney’s Lion King Announced Tour Dates till September 2012.
Lion King Musical Current Schedule is listed below:
Lion King Dayton’s Tour and Cast Update
The North American touring production of The Lion King will be visiting Dayton, Ohio in the month of June 2011. Lion King will be performing at Schuster Performing Arts Center from June 14 till July 10, 2011.
The casting update for the Dayton premiere engagement of Disney’s The Lion King: The sardonic and deviously cunning “Scar” is played by J. Anthony Crane. Dionne Randolph is “Mufasa,” the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands. Brenda Mhlongo is the wise baboon shaman “Rafiki.” Tony Freeman portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird “Zazu.” Ben Lipitz is the carefree warthog “Pumbaa” and Nick Cordileone is the wisecracking meerkat “Timon.” Mufasa’s son, “Simba,” the lion prince born to be king, is played by Jelani Remy and Syndee Winters is the loyal lioness “Nala.”
The three evil hyenas are played by Omari Tau (“Banzai”), Monica L. Patton (“Shenzi”) and Ben Roseberry (“Ed”). The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Dusan Brown and Jerome Stephens, Jr. and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Monique Lee and Madai Monica Williams.
Lion King Dayton Ohio Schedule:
Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 8 PM
Sunday evenings at 6:30 PM
Saturdays Matinee at 2 PM
Sundays Matinee at 1 PM
Lion King has been seen by over 13.2 million theater fans and grossed more that $867 million to date. Having already played more than 60 cities across North America, Lion King now proudly makes its Dayton premiere at the Schuster Center playing through July 10, 2011. The engagement has already sold most of it’s tickets. But still there are few seats available.
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Disney’s The Lion King at Mulroy Civic Center At Oncenter (Crouse Hinds Theater) September 06, 2011
Disney’s The Lion King Tour will park its actors and sets in Syracuse, New York for almost a month. Lion King will be at Mulroy Civic Center At Oncenter (Crouse Hinds Theater) from September 06 to October 02, 2011.
Take Africa’s animal kingdom, add the story of a lion-cub prince who becomes fatherless, and give director and master puppeteer Julie Taymor free reign. Throw in scores by Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer. Now you have an idea why “The Lion King” has remained an audience favorite since its opening in November 1997. The winner of six Tony awards, the musical is based on the 1994 Disney film with the same title.
Disney’s The Lion King was good for downtown Schenectady according to the Times-Union. The 77,000 people who attended the 32 performances spent $5.2 million at the box office, and generated another $15 million in economic benefits to Schenectady from spending at hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
The popular Disney musical will be in Syracuse from September to October. Fans lined up early Saturday morning at the Civic Center, waiting for the box office to open at 10:00. The Lion King production will premier on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.
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Clifton Oliver As Simba in Lion King’s Broadway’s Minskoff Theater
Disney Theatrical Productions: The Lion King Welcomes Clifton Oliver As Simba to Broadway’s Minskoff Theater. Clifton Oliver took over the role as Simba starting from Friday, May 13. Dashaun Young, who played his final Broadway performance on Saturday, May 7 as Simba, will reprise the role with the Las Vegas company on Monday, June 20. Oliver originated the role of Simba in the Las Vegas production at Mandalay Bay (2009) and the Los Angeles production at the Pantages Theater (2000) and performed as Simba on the first national tour.
Clifton Oliver As Simba in Lion King Broadway
Clifton Oliver also starred on Broadway as Benny (opposite Jordin Sparks) in In the Heights and as Fiyero in Wicked and appeared in the Los Angeles company of Ragtime. Oliver’s Off-Broadway credits include Wig Out and Miracle Brothers (Vineyard Theatre). Touring productions include Benny in Rent (Australia) and Teen Angel in Grease (second national). Television includes a guest starring role as Mad Hoops on “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”
Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, The Lion King is currently playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). The show officially opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997.
The Broadway cast of The Lion King also features GARETH SAXE as the sardonic and deviously cunning “Scar,” ALTON FITZGERALD WHITE as “Mufasa,” the great warrior and ruler of the Pridelands, and TSHIDI MANYE as the wise baboon shaman “Rafiki.” CAMERON POW portrays the prim and proper hornbilled bird “Zazu,” TOM ALAN ROBBINS is the carefree warthog “Pumbaa,” FRED BERMAN is the wisecracking meerkat “Timon” and CHAUNTEÉ SCHULER is the loyal lioness “Nala.”
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. 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 and Singapore.
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Samantha Ware to Play Nala in Lion King Las Vegas Production
Samantha Ware to Play the Role of Nala in Lion King Las Vegas Production Starting June 13, 2011.
“The Lion King” reached out to Ware in March while she was in Kansas City, playing opposite Sally Struthers in “Chicago” at Union Station’s City Stage. She took off the spring semester from Doane, where’s she’s a sophomore.
Samantha Ware to Play Nala in Lion King Las Vegas Production
She played Mimi in “Rent” last year at the City Stage in Union Station, in Kansas City, Mo. Locally, however, she is a stage veteran, having appeared in numerous shows at the Lincoln Community Playhouse, Pinewood Bowl and her high school, Lincoln North Star. Samantha Ware is a 2009 North Star graduate.
She went to New York to audition for a role in the Broadway production of Lion King. Producers of “The Lion King” called her in December, but, unfortunately, lost out on the role after reaching the final two. But there was a consolation prize — “The Lion King” asked if she would be willing to play Nala in its Las Vegas production at the Mandalay Bay casino. She agreed, and will begin her run June 13.
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Wayne Rooney, The Manchester United striker a huge fan of The Lion King
Wayne Rooney, The Manchester United striker has revealed he is a huge fan of Disney film The Lion King.
The Manchester United striker says he watches the animation with one-year-old son Kai, and reckons he enjoys it more than him. He Tweeted his Twitter followers: “Just watching the Lion King with Kai for the 100th time haha. Still not bored of it.”
Come and experience the Circle of Life! Don’t miss the awesome Lion King Musical. Lion King theater tickets are on sale now – so don’t delay!
Lion King is currently playing on tour in Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theater till June 12, 2011.
