Posts Tagged ‘Lion King Minskoff Theatre’
The Lion King’s 15 Years on Broadway, Anniversary Special – by Broadway Buzz
Disney’s Tony-winning musical The Lion King celebrates 15 magical years on Broadway. The landmark production, which combined cutting edge technology with inventive new uses for masks and puppets, opened at the newly refurbished New Amsterdam Theatre on November 13, 1997. A decade and a half later, The Lion King continues to be one of the hottest tickets in town at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre.
In honor of its anniversary, Broadway.com shares 15 fascinating facts about the show everyone loves.
1. Julie Taymor became the first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical for her work on The Lion King and took home a second Tony for the show’s costumes.
2. Before giving a Tony-nominated performance as Mufasa, Samuel E. Wright provided the voice of Sebastian the Crab in Disney’s film The Little Mermaid and debuted the Oscar-winning song “Under the Sea.”
3. The character of Rafiki was changed from an old man in the film to a woman in the musical in order to provide a leading role for a female actress. Good call: Tsidii Le Loka received a Tony nomination for her performance.
4. The Broadway production has played through three Presidential administrations, four mayoral elections and the opening and closing of 536 Broadway shows.
5. The Rhinos in the musical wear Vans sneakers.
6. With a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, The Lion King has earned more than the Lord of the Rings film trilogy combined, more than the six Star Wars films combined and more than Avatar and Titanic combined.
7. Pumbaa’s costume weighs 45 pounds and is worn like a backpack.
8. The box office clout of The Lion King shows no signs of waning: 125,000 more tickets were sold in its 15th year than in the 14th, and 50,000 more tickets were sold than in the 10th year of the run.
9. Dancers in black costumes, gloves and hats manipulate pieces of Mufasa’s face on poles to create the scene in which he appears to Simba under the stars.
10. The Lion King’s 21 productions have played in 98 cities in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica.
11. Pride Rock can rotate in either direction and is segmented into three parts, which go up and down separately (but in order).
12. Though The Lion King lost the 1998 Tony for Best Score to Ragtime, three of Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs had already been nominated for the Oscar. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won Best Song in 1995 over “The Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.”
13. The Lion King orchestra is comprised of 23 musicians: 17 in the pit, two percussionists in the boxes and four brass instrumentalists who play down the hall because they don’t fit into the pit.
14. Despite being small, Zazu the bird is actually the most complicated puppet in the show.
15. In order to get into costume, the actor playing the giraffe sits at the top of a six-foot ladder and has a dresser help attach his headpiece and stilts to his feet and hands.
Matthew McConaughey with Family Watch Lion King at Minskoff Theatre in NYC
Film star Matthew McConaughey took his family to see the Broadway production of The Lion King, at the Minskoff Theatre, on Thursday, June 28. Afterwards, he met up with cast members including Alton Fitzgerald White, who plays Mufasa, and Adam Jacobs, who stars as Simba.
McConaughey co-stars in the highly anticipated male stripper movie Magic Mike, which opens this weekend. His many additional film credits include The Lincoln Lawyer, A Time to Kill, and U-571.
Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila take their kids to see The Lion King on Thursday (June 28) at the Minskoff Theatre in NYC.
Matthew McConaughey Visits Lion King at NYC With Wife and Kids
Lion King is a standing production in NYC at Minskoff Theatre. Avail $15 OFF on Lion King New York NY Ticket Orders of $350 or more by using code SUMMERTIXTN at Checkout!
The Lion King Plays 6,000 Performances at The Minskoff Theatre
The Lion King’s April 18 matinee at The Minskoff Theatre marks the musical’s 6,000th performance. Disney’s blockbuster musical The Lion King, which recently became the highest grossing Broadway show of all time, is now celebrating 6,000 Performances on Broadway. The musical currently ranks as Broadway’s sixth longest-running show. Coinciding with this achievement, The Lion King became the first Broadway show in history to reach one million Facebook fans with 1,001,758 “likes” as of April 16.
The Lion King currently stars Adam Jacobs as Simba, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon and Chauntee Schuler as Nala.
The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theater, before transferring to the Minskoff in 2006. Now in its 15th year, the show has spawned 19 productions around the world and has been translated into seven different languages. The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical. Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in history to win the award for Best Direction of a Musical. Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.
The musical currently plays Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre. Get $10 OFF on Lion King New York NY Tickets Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.
Lion King Musical Became Sixth Longest Running Show in Broadway
Disney’s smash hit musical The Lion King will become the sixth longest-running Broadway show in history on March 14. The company will celebrate the milestone after the matinee performance at the Minskoff Theatre, when it will have played 5,960 performances.
Lion King Minskoff Theatre Cast
Based on the popular Disney film, The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theater, before transferring to the Minskoff in 2006. Now in its 15th year, the show has spawned 19 productions around the world and has been translated into seven different languages. The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical. Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in history to win the award for Best Direction of a Musical.
The Lion King currently stars Adam Jacobs as Simba, Alton Fitzgerald White as Mufasa, Patrick R. Brown as Scar, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Jeff Binder as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon and Chauntee Schuler as Nala.
Read the complete news {Via Broadway.com}
Lion King Minskoff Theatre Tickets are so popular and selling fast online. Get $10 OFF on Lion King New York NY Tickets Orders over $350! Use Code #SpringSavings at Checkout.
The Lion King Broadway Tickets Booking Through to 19 Aug 2012
Walt Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King has extended its booking period through to 19 Aug 2012. The Lion King, now in its 15th year, is the 7th longest running show in Broadway history.
Lion King Musical tells the story of the epic adventures of a young lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king. Lion King Musical is undoubtedly familiar to many, the art that occurs in New York theaters may be foreign to some. An extensive amount of dexterity is incorporated into every aspect of the show.
Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. Directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, The Lion King currently features Gareth Saxe (Scar), Alton Fitzgerald White (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Jeff Binder (Zazu), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Timon), Adam Jacobs (Simba), Chauntee Schuler (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed) and, Alphonso Romero Jones II and Judah Bellamy (Young Simba) and, Khail Toi Bryant and Shaylin Becton (Young Nala). The creative team for The Lion King features Richard Hudson (sets), Michael Curry (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting) and Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound).
The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is the 7th longest-running musical on Broadway, surpassing the record previously held by ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The Lion King Musical is Playing in Standing Production In Minskoff Theatre, New York NY. Buy Lion King Broadway Tickets Online, Use Code AFF$10 to Get $10 OFF on Orders over $350!
Lion King Still Going Strong at Minskoff Theatre
Lion King Broadway is entertaining with the combination of songs, acting, dance, and spoken dialogue. Disney’s The Lion King is still going strong at Minskoff Theatre, New York NY.
Lion King Musical story is based on the Disney film, is undoubtedly familiar to many, the art that occurs in New York theaters may be foreign to some. An extensive amount of dexterity is incorporated into every aspect of the show.
While every actor in the production is undoubtedly talented, two particular actors who cannot be ignored are the young starlets who play Simba and his sidekick Nala, played by 11-year-old Abrey Omari Joseph and 10-year-old Khaail Toi Bryant, respectively.
In addition to having to complete the basic singing, dancing, memorizing, and acting requirements expected from Broadway leads, the starlets must learn to manage the responsibilities and risks of being in the spotlight, while juggling the developmental challenges associated with the preteen years. Because the song’s theme is the celebration of a new life, there are likely feelings of awe, hope and empathy pervading from audience members upon the chanting of the lyrics.
An element of the show that immediately appeals to viewers is the music written by Elton John and Tom Rice. In theatre, each musical piece is essential for helping the storyline progress in an engaging and original manner. The collaboration of other actors’ singing, acting and dancing and catchy African rhythms and their unforgettable exotic costumes — all made of an array of warm colors — contribute to the reasons why The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998.
The play’s opening includes a rainbow colored, face-painted Rafiki, a sunrise over an orange and purple lit background, giraffes represented by humans on long stilts, synchronized ballet dancing lions, antelopes, birds and zebras, and humans depicting grass rising from the stage.
Later, audience members are rendered speechless by large expressive puppets, mechanically controlled cheetahs and elephants, intricately designed masks for each lion character, and colorful costumes consisting of African styled beadwork, corsets, armor and cloth.
New York City is home to all forms of entertainment, but for anyone wanting to experience a great musical, The Lion King is a recommended investment.
Read the complete story {Via The Fairfield Mirror}
The Musical Lion King is Playing in Standing Production In Minskoff Theatre, New York NY. Buy Lion King Broadway Tickets Online, Use Code AFF$10 to Get $10 OFF on Orders over $350!
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The Lion King in Minskoff Theatre is a standing production.
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Lion King Broadway’s New Simba is Adam Jacobs Starting August 29, 2011
Adam Jacobs who played as Simba on the National Tour of Lion King, is now resumed the same role in Lion King Broadway beginning performances the week of August 29. Jacobs, who most recently starred in the title role of the world premiere of Aladdin at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, previously played the role of Simba on national tour. The Current Simba, Clifton Oliver played his final performance on Friday, August 26. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, Lion King is playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street).
Adam Jacobs is The Lion King Broadway's New Simba
Adam Jacobs has previously appeared on Broadway as Marius in Les Miserables. His national touring credits include The Lion King (Simba), Mamma Mia! (Sky), Les Miserables (Marius) and Cinderella (Prince). Adam’s favorite regional theatre credits include the 5th Avenue Theatre’s world premiere of Aladdin (Aladdin) directed by Casey Nicholaw, Marriott Theater’s Hot Mikado (Nanki-poo) and SF Opera’s Harvey Milk (Young Harvey).
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.
As it approaches its 15th year, The Lion King remains ascendant, continuing to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. 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.
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Judah Bellamy and Shaylin Becton Join The Lion King Broadway Cast
Produced by Thomas Schumacher of Disney Theatrical Productions, The Lion King is currently playing at Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre (200 West 45th Street). Broadway’s landmark musical event The Lion King is pleased to welcome Judah Bellamy as “Young Simba” and Shaylin Becton as “Young Nala” to the company. Bellamy and Becton made their Broadway debuts last night. They alternate with fellow young lions and current cast members Alphonso Romero Jones II (Young Simba) and Khail Toi Bryant (Young Nala).
Bellamy and Becton began performances on March 29 at the Minskoff Theatre. The Lion King marks the Broadway debut for both performers.
Judah Bellamy, 11, is a Baltimore native and has performed with Johns Hopkins’ Unified Voices Choir and starred in The Wiz and A Raisin in the Sun at the Cahill Theatrical Arts Center in Maryland.
Judah Bellamy as Young Simba in Lion King
Shaylin Becton, 9, is a Maywood, Illinois native and began singing and dancing at an early age.
Shaylin Becton as Young Nala in Lion King
Judah Bellamy and Shaylin Becton are the newest Young Stars in The Lion King Broadway Cast. The Lion King opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 13, 1997. The production received six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and moved to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006.
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Lion King to Become Seventh Longest Running Show with 5,462 Performances
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, All the Lion King Fans
Disney’s The Lion King, which currently plays the Minskoff Theatre, will become the seventh-longest running musical in Broadway history when it plays its 5,462nd performance Jan. 2, 2011.
On that date the musical will surpass Disney’s inaugural Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast.
“It’s enormously gratifying to the whole creative team to see our show move up this rarefied list,” stated Thomas Schumacher, producer and president, Disney Theatrical Productions. “The Lion King’s continued success is a testament first to Julie Taymor’s original vision, which continues to astonish, and to the men and women onstage and off who create the magic each night. Thanks to them, performance 5,462 is as powerful as opening night.”
As of Jan. 2, the list of the top ten longest-running Broadway shows will be as follows (bolded titles with asterisk denote productions currently running):
The Phantom of the Opera* (9,539)
Cats (7,485)
Les Miserables (6,680)
A Chorus Line (6,137)
Oh! Calcutta (5,959)
Chicago* (5,868)
The Lion King* (5,462)
Beauty and the Beast (5,461)
Rent (5,123)
Miss Saigon (4,092)
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, 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.
Find complete Lion King Tour Dates. Buy New York NY Tickets Online.
Lion King is currently playing on tour in Norfolk, VA thru Jan 02, 2011. From here Lion King moves to Durham, NC to perform at Durham Performing Arts Center from Jan 04, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011.
