When it Opened

• It’s world premier came in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum Theatre on July 8th, 1997.

• It opened to the public on November 13th, 1997.

The Story of “The Lion King”A stage version of the 1994 Disney film “The Lion

King,” it is the story of a young lion living in the African Pride Lands. Simba spends his days exploring the grasslands and taking after his father, Mufasa, while avoiding the responsibility he is required to fulfill. When his uncle Scar plans a stampede of wildebeest that kills Mufasa, Simba flees the Pride Lands. Eventually accompanied by Timon (meerkat) and Pumbaa (warthog), Simba starts a new life. But when a surprise run-in with his old friend Nala and she tells him to return home, Simba must battle his uncle Scar and fulfill his destiny to be king of the Pride Lands and follow in his father’s footsteps.

The Cast• Simba Adam Jacobs• Mufasa Alton Fitzgerald White• Scar Patrick R. Brown• Rafiki Tshidi Manye• Nala Chauntee Schuler• Young Simba (alternating performances) Judah Bellamy• Young Simba (alternating performances) Alfonso Romero Jones II• Zazu Cameron Pow• Pumbaa Ben Jeffrey• Timon Fred Berman• Young Nala (alternating performances) Khail Toi Bryant• Young Nala (alternating performances) Shaylin Becton• Banzai James Brown-Orleans• Ed Enrique Segura• Shenzi Bonita J. Hamilton

Music• Composer Elton John• Lyrics Tim Rice

SongsCircle of Life

Grasslands Chant

The Morning Report*

The Lioness Hunt

I Just Can't Wait to Be King

Chow Down

They Live in You

Be Prepared

The Stampede/Rafiki Mourns

Hakuna Matata

One by One

The Madness of King Scar

Shadowland

Endless Night

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

He Lives in You (Reprise)

Simba Confronts Scar

King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)

Awards

1) Best Choreography2) Best Costume Design3) Best Director4) Best Lighting Design5) Best New Musical (1998)6) Best Scenic Design7) Best Music Nomination

Interesting Facts• “The Lion King” is now Broadway's seventh longest-running

show in history. • As of this month, it is the highest grossing Broadway show

of all time, having made $853.8 million.• The actors in the play use large animal puppets and paint

themselves the color of the animal to resemble the character they hold and move.

Group Members

Steven SchroeckEric Thiemann

Zach SmithMichael Lustenberger