Posts Tagged ‘Lion King Tour’
Lion King’s Puppet supervisor, Michael Reilly Interview
Lion King musical is all set and is currently performing at Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, DC from June 17 to August 17, 2014.
Lion King Puppet supervisor – Michael Reilly
Know all about the Lion King’s Puppet supervisor, Michael Reilly – by KRISTEN PAGE.
“I prefer puppet master. It sounds better,” says the man who manages the menagerie of puppets that make “Disney’s The Lion King” the visual spectacular that it is.
The musical, based on Disney’s 1994 animated smash, is not the largest production Reilly’s been a part of (he was the “sword and armor guy” for a production of “The Lord of the Rings” that opened in Toronto in 2006) but the touring company of “The Lion King” (at the Kennedy Center through Aug. 17) certainly keeps him busy, even without any ringwraiths.
“We have so many different kinds of puppets. We have body puppets, shadow puppets, hand puppets,” he says. “Each one is unique unto itself and each one can find a different way to break.”
Reilly and his team spend each show waiting for the puppet equivalent of 911; when the call comes over the radio, they rush in like ER docs.“We have a tool belt of knickknacks, all kinds of collars and fittings and keys and all kinds of things,” Reilly says. “It all depends on who breaks; we generally have an idea of what broke once they tell us which puppet is broken. If a hyena breaks, often it’ll be a string; if it’s Pumbaa, it’ll be a zip tie.”
The biggest problem — literally — is often the 6-foot-tall African elephant, which requires four cast members to operate. “When she breaks, it’s pretty massive,” he says.
So far Reilly and his team have a 100 percent success rate when it comes to resurrecting their patients.
“I’m happy to say no puppet has stopped the show,” he says. “I probably shouldn’t have said that. I maybe just jinxed it.”
Buy Lion King Kennedy Center Opera House Tickets Online!
The Lion King at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre Through April 6, 2014
The long-running, Tony-winning musical The Lion King Tour started performances at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre from Wednesday, March 12 through Sunday, April 6. The ticket sales for the Lion King Seattle WA shows remain very strong.
Lion King musical, is almost like the film, follows the arc of the young lion, Simba, whose wise, ruling father, Mufasa is killed by the nefarious Uncle Scar. Scar and his band of hyena followers take over the lands of Pride Rock. Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, this blockbuster opened on Broadway in October 1997 and is still playing.
The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997 following the monumental success of the 1995 film. A US national tour followed shortly thereafter, and it has enjoyed success in cities all over the country. It returns to Seattle this month for another run of family-friendly performances.
The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, Lion King now proudly makes its Seattle Washington return at Paramount Theatre.
Lion King musical runs at Paramount Theatre WA through April 6, 2014. Buy Lion King Seattle WA Tickets for one of the lowest prices on Internet!
Lion King Returns to Seattle WA – March 11 to April 6, 2014
The Lion King musical which remains a hit on Broadway and on the US National tour, will be coming back to Seattle in March 2014. Lion King musical perform at Paramount Theatre from March 11 to April 6, 2014.
Lion King musical, is almost like the film, follows the arc of the young lion, Simba, whose wise, ruling father, Mufasa is killed by the nefarious Uncle Scar. Scar and his band of hyena followers take over the lands of Pride Rock. Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, this blockbuster opened on Broadway in October 1997 and is still playing.
The North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, Lion King now proudly makes its Seattle Washington return at Paramount Theatre.
Lion King musical runs at Paramount Theatre WA through April 6, 2014. Buy Lion King Seattle WA Tickets Online at discounted prices – SAVE $10 when you spend $350 or more, Use code AFF$10.
The Lion King Tour Return to Austin TX – January 16 to February 10, 2013
Disney’s the Lion King Musical Comes to Austin TX for a limited 3-week engagement from January 16 to February 10, 2013.
The Lion King Bass Concert Hall Performance Schedule:
Tuesday to Friday – 8:00 PM
Saturday – 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Sunday – 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM
Additional show on Thursday Jan 17 at 1:00 PM
Cast Update: Disney’s The Lion King production features Derek Smith as “Scar”, Dionne Randolph as “Mufasa”, Buyi Zama as “Rafiki”, Mark David Kaplan as “Zazu”, Ben Lipitz as “Pumbaa”, Nick Cordileone as “Timon”, Jelani Remy as “Simba”, Syndee Winters as “Nala”, Keith Bennett as “Banzai”, Rashada Dawan as “Shenzi” and Robbie Swift as “Ed.” The role of “Young Simba” is alternated between Zavion J. Hill and Adante Power and the role of “Young Nala” is alternated between Sade Phillip-Demorcy and Kailah McFadden.
Lion King musical will run through February 10, 2013 at Bass Concert Hall. Buy Lion King Austin TX Tickets at best prices online, SAVE $10 when you spend $350+ by using code AFF$10.
The Lion King Grossed Over $4.3 Million in Wichita KS
Disney’s “The Lion King” which concluded Sunday at Century II Convention Center in Wichita KS grossed over $4.3 million at the box office and entertained more than 60,000 patrons, making it the highest-grossing theatrical production in Wichita history.
It’s estimated that the show brought $15 million into the Wichita economy, based on hotels, restaurants, parking etc., utilized by both patrons and the production staff. Theatre League based the figure on a Touring Broadway League report that found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.5 times the gross ticket sales.
The run, which concluded on Sunday, started on Sept. 4 at Century II’s Concert Hall. More than 60,000 people saw the show, Disney said in a news release. From here The Lion King musical moves to Albuquerque NM playing through October 28, 2012.
Check for Lion King Tour Schedule.
Lion King Currently Touring in Houston, TX – Review
The Lion King touring in Houston, is reviewed by Jim J. Tommaney at houstonpress.com, Here is the sneak peek of the review:
The Lion King Courtesy of Galexa Energy Broadway, Disney’s The Lion King roars into town with its menagerie of spectacle, stagecraft and human emotions grafted onto a pride of lions, showcasing what inventive minds can accomplish with unlimited funds and unlimited imaginations. Animal puppetry is brought to exciting life by human actors. The giraffes and the elephants are remarkably realistic, while others, such as the prancing oryxes and the menacing and seductive cheetah, convince through movement. There are singers and tom-tom drummers in the loges, birds fluttering in the sky, and the animals parade down the aisle and enter to crowd the stage with delight. The plot is old lion/young lion, but the drama comes from the love between the boy lion Simba and Mufasa, his father and ruler. His uncle, Scar, is crippled with envy, and he has the hyenas on his side, a marvel of fascination — evil, adroit, brilliantly imagined and crafted, and all too human. A young lioness, Nala, is a pal to Simba in the first Act, and becomes more in Act II, when the lions have grown to maturity. An amusing hornbill, Zazu, watches over Simba, and Simba is befriended by a meerkat, Timon, and a warthog, Pumbaa; they are eminently likable and amusing. This musical is also a ballet, and the choreography by Garth Fagan is striking and hugely important. The songs are wonderful, especially the exuberant “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” the evil “Chow Down” and the haunting “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” The music and lyrics are by Elton John and Tim Rice, the direction and costume design are by Julie Taymor, and she and Michael Curry designed the entrancing masks and puppets. A brilliant collaboration of theatrical geniuses has created an awesome blockbuster of overwhelming pleasure.
Lion King is currently performing at Sarofim Hall Hobby Center Through August 12, 2012. Get $10 OFF on any Lion King Houston TX Ticket orders of $250 or more, use code SUMMERFUNTN at checkout.
The Lion King Celebrates 10 Years on Tour On Friday April 27, 2012
The Lion King musical will celebrate 10 triumphant years on tour on Friday, April 27 in Orlando. Since launching in April 2002 in Denver, CO, The Lion King North American tour has played nearly 6,000 performances during 112 engagements in 74 cities. The record-breaking tour has been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date.
With this milestone, The Lion King becomes only the second show in theatrical history to produce five productions running 10 or more years. Already in 2012, The Lion King North American tour has shattered box office records in Baltimore MD, Richmond VA and just recently in New Orleans, LA where it became the highest-grossing theatrical production in the city’s history. The award-winning musical is currently playing a return engagement in Orlando at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center through May 13, 2012.
“It is profoundly gratifying to know that since launching in Denver at the Buell Theatre in April 2002, The Lion King tour has been instrumental in bringing new audiences to the theatre across North America for the past 10 years,” said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. “We are overwhelmed by the enduring response to the show and are enormously thankful to our audiences for their continued enthusiasm and support. We look forward to sharing this theatrical phenomenon with more cities in the coming years.” Even after 10 years The Lion King continues to visit new North American cities, premiering in 2012 in Miami FL, Greenville SC, Wichita KS and Albuquerque, NM.
In its 15th year, The Lion King remains ascendant, recently becoming the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the sixth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, The Lion King can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, on tour in Japan, and in Tokyo, London’s West End, Hamburg and Madrid. A UK tour launches in August of this year.
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.
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.”
Read the complete news {Via BroadwayWorld.com}
Check Lion King Tour 2012, 2013 Schedule.
Lion King Mahalia Jackson Theater Performance Schedule and Tickets Info
Lion King North Americal Tour will be visiting Mahalia Jackson Theatre in New Orleans LA in the month of March 2012.
The Lion King opens its five-week run on March 14 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts. It is the closing production of the 2011-12 Broadway Across America season. Lion King Mahalia Jackson Theater performances run through Sunday, April 15.
Lion King is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only five productions in theater history to play for 10 years or more, both on Broadway and in the West End.
Lion King Mahalia Jackson Theater Schedule:
Tuesdays through Fridays – 8 p.m.
Saturdays – 2 and 8 p.m.
Sundays – 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Special 2 p.m. matinees on Thursdays March 15 and April 12.
No performance on Sunday, April 15 6:30 p.m.
The Lion King New Orleans LA Tickets Go on Sale From 8 to 11 a.m., tickets only are available for purchase in person at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office on Saturday, Nov. 12. Do not worry if you could not get the tickets from the Theatre box office, even you need not wait in the long lines. Buy your Lion King New Orleans LA Tickets today Online. Get $10 OFF on Lion King Mahalia Jackson Theatre Ticket Orders over $350! Use Code AFF$10.
Impact of ‘Lion King’ estimated at $10 million on the Rochester, NY
The four-week run of “The Lion King” had an estimated $10 million impact on the Rochester area, the New York City-based trade organization the Broadway League estimated.
The production, presented by the Rochester Broadway Theatre League, drew more than 70,000 patrons throughout its four-week run. The cast and crew alone filled 2,800 room nights at local hotels and the show employed more than 70 local union workers each night throughout the 32 performances, RBTL officials said.
“We are pleased to have been able to bring this incredible production back to Rochester,” said Donald Jeffries, RBTL president and CEO.
The cast of the production had an impact beyond the stage, RBTL officials said. Case members participated in acting and technical master classes and the RBTL designed curriculum for middle school students based on the play.
From here Lion King Tour moved to Princess of Wales Theater, Toronto ON.
{Via Rochester Business Journal}
Lion King Current Tour Update 2010 – 2011
The schedule for the current Lion King tour, which is planned through July 2011 is as follows:
Salt Lake City – Capitol Theatre
Aug. 11 – Sept. 26, 2010
Chicago – Cadillac Palace Theatre
Sept. 29 – Nov. 27, 2010
Norfolk – Chrysler Hall
Nov. 30 – Jan. 2, 2011
Durham – Durham Performing Arts Center
Jan. 4 – 30, 2011
Providence – Providence Performing Arts Center
Feb. 1 – Feb. 20, 2011
Schenectady – Proctors Theatre
Feb. 22 – March 20, 2011
Rochester – Auditorium Theatre
March 22 – April 17, 2011
Toronto – Princess of Wales Theatre
April 19 – May 22, 2011
Dayton – Schuster Hall
June 14 – July 10, 2011
Also the Musical Lion King is Playing in Standing Productions In :
New York NY – Minskoff Theatre
Las Vegas Nevada – Mandalay Bay Theatre
London England – Lyceum Theatre
