THE LION KING Comes to Detroit, 2/13-3/10

Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway In Detroit announced today that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney's THE LION KING, playing a limited four-week engagement at the Detroit Opera House, February 13 – March 10, 2013, will go on sale to the public on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 10 a.m. 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), please email groups@broadwayindetroit.com or call (313) 871-1132. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit www.broadwayindetroit.com.

THE LION KING is one of the most popular touring productions currently on the road having been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date. Due to its popularity, ticket buyers often find that tickets are available through secondary ticket agencies or brokers, but Broadway In Detroit cautions consumers that BroadwayInDetroit.com, LionKing.com and Ticketmaster.com are the only authorized online ticket sellers for the Detroit engagement of THE LION KING.

"There is concern that it's becoming increasingly more likely that ticket buyers may purchase either bootleg tickets, exceedingly overpriced tickets, or never receive their tickets from third party brokers," says Alan Lichtenstein, Broadway In Detroit Executive Director. "It is important we remind people that BroadwayInDetroit.com, LionKing.com and Ticketmaster.com are the only online sources to purchase valid tickets for THE LION KING and all the shows in the 2012-2013 Broadway In Detroit line-up."

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, 20 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 65 million people, grossed over $5 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is the fifth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show in history to generate five productions running 10 or more years. Translated into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese), 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 and on tour in North America, in London's West End and on tour in the UK, in Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo and on tour in Japan.

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, the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design and seven 2012 Spanish Musical Theatre Awards, including Best Musical.

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."

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