FIRST EVER PERTH SEASON OF THE LION KING ANNOUNCED

Shane | 20 April 2015 | Reply

FIRST EVER PERTH SEASON OF THE LION KING ANNOUNCED

Today Disney Theatrical Productions confirmed its landmark musical event THE LION KING will come to Perth’s Crown Theatre from November 18, 2015.

James Thane, Executive Producer said today; “ We are thrilled to present Julie Taymor’s ground-breaking production in Perth for the very first time. West Australian audiences packed out our last show Mary Poppins, and we expect they will be equally keen to see this Broadway smash hit.”

A wait list is now open for those wishing to be first in line for tickets when they go on pre-sale June 15. To register visit www.thelionking.com.au/perth

In its 18th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Melbourne, Australia; Basel, Switzerland; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

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. 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.

The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.

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 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: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

Director Julie Taymor’s vision of the African savannah comes to life in this locally-crafted production, featuring the most multicultural cast of any Australian-produced stage musical to date. NICK AFOA (from South Auckland, New Zealand) will play Simba, JOSSLYNN HLENTI (Durban, South Africa) will play Nala, BUYI ZAMA (Durban, South Africa) will play Rafiki, ROB COLLINS (Darwin, Australia) will play Mufasa, JOSH QUONG TART (Sydney, Australia) will play Scar and TERRY YEBOAH (Domaa Ahenkro, Ghana) will play Banzai.

The ensemble cast will feature representatives from Zimbabwe, China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Brazil and the United States. Other principals will be CAMERON GOODALL as Zazu, RUSSELL DYKSTRA as Pumbaa JAMIE MCGREGOR as Timon, RUVARASHE NGWENYA as Shenzi and ANDRE JEWSON as Ed.

Pre-sales begin Monday, June 15 at 9am WST
GP on-sale Friday, June 19 at 9am WST