Disney's THE LION KING Comes to Detroit Opera House, Now thru 3/10

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's THE LION KING. DETROIT's most eagerly awaited stage production ever will leap onto the Detroit Opera House stage from tonight, February 13 to Sunday, March 10, 2013. The press opening night is Friday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The production features Timothy Carter 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.

In Detroit, THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m., Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m., Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. There will also be matinees at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 14 and Thursday, March 7. There will not be an evening performance on March 10. Sunday, February 24 is a signed performance. Wednesday, February 20 is Kids Night with pre-show activities beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at the Fisher Theatre box office, the Detroit Opera House box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-866-870-2717, and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.lionking.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com. Tickets start at $25. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program, and parking, are also available. For group sales (20 or more), email groups@broadwayindetroit.com or call (313) 871-1132. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit www.broadwayindetroit.com.

The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its Detroit return at the Detroit Opera House. The current schedule is listed below.

Among the most successful titles in entertainment history, with a cumulative gross in excess of $5 billion, the title has already earned more than the biggest hit films in movie history: more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy combined, more than the six Star Wars films combined, and more than Avatar and Titanic, the #1 and #2 highest-grossing films in movie history, combined.

With eight productions currently playing around the world, it will make its South American and Portuguese language debut when it begins performances in Sao Paolo, Brazil in February 2013. With that production, THE LION KING's 21 productions will have played in 98 cities in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica.

As it enters its 16th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant, and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 20 global productions have been seen by more than 66 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 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, Mandarin, Spanish and Portuguese), THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London's West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg and Madrid.

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