Disney's THE LION KING Continues to Roar Across the Globe

Disney's THE LION KING Continues to Roar Across the Globe

SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCTION BREAKS ALL PREVIOUS THEATRICAL RECORDS

ORIGINAL U.S. STAGE TOUR TO CONCLUDE WHILE SECOND CONTINUES INDEFINITELY

NEW YORK, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Disney's THE LION KING, now in its eleventh year on Broadway, continues to dominate the theatrical landscape across the globe. With over three billion dollars in ticket sales and over 45 million audience members worldwide to date, the theatrical life of Disney's biggest stage hit seems to have no end in sight.

Disney Theatrical Group announced today the Johannesburg production of THE LION KING will conclude its historic South African run at The Teatro at Montecasino on February 17, marking the closing of the longest-running stage production in South African history.

Disney Theatrical Group also announced today that after an unprecedented six seasons of touring two companies of THE LION KING, one of the two record-setting tours would complete its final stop in Milwaukee, WI on March 2. As demand for the production remains strong, the second tour will continue indefinitely. Together the two tours have played to a combined audience of over 10 million people to date and grossed more than $100 million a year since the two tours began.

"I am hugely proud of THE LION KING's continued success on the road and our historic achievement in South Africa," said Thomas Schumacher, President of the Disney Theatrical Group. "This show continues to be embraced by audiences around the world and brings us to places we never would have dreamed of a decade ago."

When the Johannesburg production closes on February 17, 2008, the show will have sold over 550,000 tickets making it the most successful stage production in South African history. Ticket sales have more than doubled the previous record-holder, "The Phantom of the Opera." Leaving behind the legacy of a theatre built specifically for the production, THE LION KING has literally changed the theatrical landscape of South Africa for generations to come.

When the South African production opened on June 6, 2007, THE LION KING was originally expected to run through fall 2007. After several extensions due to high demand, THE LION KING will now conclude its run on February 17, 2008. The show will ultimately have played for a record-breaking forty weeks. In a special Wednesday matinee program with principal sponsor Telkom, 38,000 South African children, mainly from the local townships, will have had the opportunity to see the show for free. As the first theatrical experience of their lives, the show has given them an experience like none other. THE LION KING in South Africa is co-produced by Lebo M and Pieter Toerien.

Over the past five years, THE LION KING's two national touring productions have played to more than 10 million people in more than 50 major cities in North America grossing a total of over $500 million. THE LION KING's second tour continues to draw capacity crowds to highly successful engagements, including recent sold out returns to Dallas and Minneapolis. In 2008, THE LION KING will premiere in Toledo, Washington, D.C. and Kansas City, and play return engagements in Atlanta, Tampa and Columbus with more cities to be announced.

For tickets and more information, visit http://www.lionkingtour.com/

The first tour of THE LION KING debuted in Chicago, IL at The Cadillac Palace Theatre in April, 2003, following the sit down engagement in Los Angeles at the Pantages Theatre from November of 2000 through January 2003. In an effort to share the experience of THE LION KING with additional communities across the United States, Disney also launched a tour in Denver, CO in April 2002 at The Denver Performing Arts Center and immediately began achieving record-breaking success while entertaining audiences nationwide.

THE LION KING first tour (known as the 1st National Tour) finished a 13-week run in Honolulu in December, grossing $15 million for the engagement and was the longest running and highest grossing theatrical engagement ever to play Honolulu. The production set a house record for The Blaisdell Concert Hall, grossing $1.3 million during its final week. Sales for the recently concluded four-week Mexico City engagement were 106 million pesos for the four week engagement (approximately $10 million US), with over 150,000 people attending the production at the Auditorio Nacional.

THE LION KING remains one of the most popular shows on Broadway, entertaining more than 650,000 people a year in New York City for 10 straight years. The production is the winner of more than 70 major awards worldwide, and has become a global phenomenon seen by more than 45 million people. In addition to Broadway and its two national tours, THE LION KING can also be currently seen in Hamburg, Johannesburg, London, Paris, Tokyo and Fukuoka.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Disney Theatrical Group

CONTACT: Joe Quenqua, Vice President, Worldwide Publicity &
Communications of Disney Theatrical Group, +1-212-827-5428,
Joe.Quenqua@Disney.com

Web site:

http://www.lionkingtour.com/

-------
Profile: intent