Tickets for Disney's The Lion King on Sale at the Mahalia Jackson Theater November 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Betsie Gambel or Vicki Voelker
504-324-4242
Betsie@GambelPR.com
Vicki@GambelPR.com

TICKETS FOR DISNEY'S THE LION KING ON SALE AT THE MAHALIA JACKSON THEATER NOVEMBER 12
Performances Begin On Wednesday, March 14 And Play for Five Weeks 
Through Sunday, April 15 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater

New Orleans, LA (November 3, 2011) - Disney Theatrical Productions and East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans announced today that tickets for the long-awaited production of Disney's THE LION KING will go on sale to the public on Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 a.m. New Orleans' most eagerly awaited stage production will begin performances at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 for a limited engagement of five weeks through Sunday, April 15, 2012. Tickets are on sale Saturday, November 12 at 8:00 a.m. CDT exclusively in person at the Mahalia Jackson Theater Box Office. Tickets will become available by phone and at all Ticketmaster locations at 11:00 a.m. CDT.

Ticket buyers are invited to special box office opening festivities on Saturday, November 12 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Several hundred tickets buyers are expected in line by 8:00 a.m., and a possible 1,000 ticket buyers to purchase tickets in person at the Mahalia Jackson Theater throughout the day. Ticket buyers waiting in line will receive refreshments and have the opportunity to purchase the best seat in the house (while supplies last).

The first person in line will receive a complimentary autographed copy of How Does the Show Go On? written and autographed by author Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Productions and producer of THE LION KING. The first 100 ticket buyers will receive a complimentary LION KING Original Broadway Cast Recording CD. All others will receive a complimentary LION KING T-shirt (one item per order, while supplies last).

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS
Ticket prices start as low as $30.25. Premium Ticket Packages, which include prime seat locations, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Beginning Saturday, November 12, tickets will be available in person at the Mahalia Jackson Box Office, via phone at 800-982-2787 (ARTS), and online at BroadwayInNewOrleans.com. Orders for groups of 15 or more may be placed by calling 504-287-0372.

In New Orleans, THE LION KING will play Wednesday, March 14 through Sunday, April 15 on the following schedule:

Tuesdays: 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 p.m.
*Thursdays: 8:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 2:00 and 8:00 p.m.
**Sundays: 1:00 and 6:30 p.m.
*There will be special 2:00 p.m. matinees on Thursday, March 15 and Thursday, April 12.
**There will not be a 6:30 p.m. performance on Sunday, April 15.

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. Having already played more than 60 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its New Orleans premiere at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. The current tour schedule is listed below.

ABOUT THE LION KING
Now in its 14^th 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."

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com

The New Orleans engagement of THE LION KING is presented by arrangement with East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans and is a subscription offering of the Broadway Across America Series.

The Mahalia Jackson Theater is located in Armstrong Park at 801 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. Information on the Broadway Across America - New Orleans series and venue policies and accommodations may be obtained online at MahaliaJacksonTheater.com. Group Sales information is available at 504-287-0372. Box Office information is available at 504-287-0351.

Arts Center Enterprises - New Orleans, LLC - (ACE) is a theatrical facility management company with more than 30 years of experience in the field of professional performing arts facility management and theatrical property development. Allen Becker, together with his partners David Anderson, Gary Markowitz and Kirk B. Feldmann have succeeded in establishing a successful business model that combines an entrepreneurial operating strategy, with a wealth of industry relationships, which result in active, vibrant, well-managed and self-sustaining performing arts facilities. Not only has this business model served to uplift communities through the presentation of powerful live performances, but it has served to also provide economic stimulus into urban corridors in need of revitalization. Please visit ACE New Orleans online at MahaliaJacksonTheater.com.

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.

New Orleans Theatre Association (NOTA) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to attract and present the finest theatrical and performing arts attractions available in New Orleans. NOTA is also dedicated to financial and technical support of local non-profit institutions in New Orleans that are dedicated to the furtherance of theatrical and musical education and production.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Authorized images of Disney's THE LION KING can be provided by Gambel Communications. Please use only show-approved images.