‘The Lion King’ and ‘Aladdin’ to reopen on Broadway in September

Disney Theatricals announced that its landmark musicals will make their return to the stage from the first day Broadway is back.

It's a whole new world — Broadway is coming back, and The Lion King and Aladdin will be among the first shows to return to the stage. The Lion King will reopen at the Minskoff Theatre on Sept. 14, and Aladdin will reopen at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sept. 28. Find out more about The Lion King on Broadway tickets here. Find out more about Aladdin on Broadway tickets here. 

"After 18 months of being apart we are thrilled to welcome our audiences back and are proud to introduce these unique benefits to make buying Broadway tickets risk-free, flexible and affordable," said Thomas Schumacher President & Producer Disney Theatrical Productions, in a statement. "Broadway's reopening - before tourists fully return - will be the perfect time for us tri-staters to attend Broadway as shows will be more accessible than ever."

Disney Theatricals is offering increased ticket flexibility with these reopening dates, including covering booking fees and the ability to change or cancel your tickets for any reason for all performances through August 7, 2022. The organization is also introducing a special Double the Magic package, which allows customers to purchase tickets to both productions for as low as $149. 

The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and has since become one of Broadway's longest-running shows and the highest grossing musical of all time. Based on the beloved animated film, the Tony-winning production was directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, and features costume by Taymor, mask design by Taymore and Michael Curry, and scenic design by Richard Hudson.

The Lion KIng cast will be announced at a later date. The ensemble last featured Bradley Gibson (as Simba), L. Steven Taylor (as Mufasa), Adrienne Walker (as Nala), Tshidi Manye (as Rafiki), Stephen Carlile (as Scar), Tony Freeman (as Zazu), Ben Jeffrey (as Pumbaa), Fred Berman (as Timon).

Aladdin opened on Broadway in 2014 and was nominated for five Tony Awards, winning one for James Monroe Iglehart's performance as the Genie. The show, based on the film, follows the titular "street rat"-turned-prince who uses a magical Genie to win the love of Princess Jasmine while trying to ward off the conniving Jafar. 

Directed by Casey Nicholaw, Aladdin features a book by Chad Beguelin and a score by Alan Menkin, Tim Rice, and Howard Ashman, with additional lyrics by Beguelin. 

Casting for Aladdin will be announced at a later date. The cast before the shutdown featured Ainsley Melham (as Aladdin), Marina Pires (as Jasmine), Michael James Scott (as Genie), Jonathan Freeman (as Jafar), Don Darryl Rivera (as Iago), and JC Montgomery (as Sultan).

The Lion King will resume performances at the Minskoff Theatre on Sept. 14. Find out more about The Lion King Broadway tickets here. 

Aladdin will resume performances at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Sept. 28. Find out more about Aladdin Broadway tickets here. 

Find out more about what's playing on Broadway and how to get theatre tickets in New York.

^{Photo credit: Bradley Gibson in 'The Lion King' (Left) and Michael James Scott and Ainsley Melham in 'Aladdin' (Right) (Photos by Dean van Meer)}