The Lion King is now B'way's 8th longest-running show

The Lion King is now B'way's 8th longest-running show Walt Disney's Broadway production of The Lion King will celebrate another milestone when it plays its 5,125th performance on 21 Feb 2010 to become the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history. The Lion King moves up the top ten list of long runs, surpassing the musical Rent (with 5124 performances). Disney's musical 'Beauty and the Beast' retains its position as no. 7 on the list. As of 21 Feb2010, the list of the top ten longest running Broadway shows will be as follows: 1.  *The Phantom of the Opera (9,179) 2.  Cats (7,485) 3.  Les Miserables (6,680) 4.  A Chorus Line (6,137) 5.  Oh! Calcutta (5,959) 6.  *Chicago (5,508) 7.  Beauty and the Beast (5,461) 8.  *The Lion King (5,125) 9.  Rent (5,124) 10. Miss Saigon (4,097) Last year, The Lion King marked twelve years on Broadway and became the first American musical to welcome 50 million guests worldwide. Now in its 13th smash year, The Lion King officially opened on 13 Nov 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre (previews began 13 Oct) and has consistently been among Broadway's top five grossing shows. The show transferred to its current home at the Minskoff Theatre on 13 Jun2006. The musical tells the story of the epic adventures of a young lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king. Directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, The Lion King currently features Derek Smith (Scar), Nathaniel Stampley (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Cameron Pow (Zazu), Ben Lipitz (Pumbaa), Danny Rutigliano (Timon), Dashaun Young (Simba), Ta'Rea Campbell (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Jacquelyn Renae Hodges (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed) and Alphonso Romero Jones II and Marquis Kofi Rodriguez (Young Simba), and Shereen Pimentel and Shannon Skye Tavarez (Young Nala). Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. The Lion King has book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, music by Elton John, with additional music by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin, and lyrics by Tim Rice. The creative team for The Lion King features Richard Hudson (sets), Michael Curry (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting) and Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound). The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and is the 9th longest-running musical on Broadway, surpassing the record previously held by 'Miss Saigon.'

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