The Lion King: B'way's 4th longest-running show
The Lion King: B'way's 4th longest-running show Walt Disney's Broadway production of The Lion King celebrated another milestone on 30 Nov 2013 when it played its 6,681st performance and became the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. The Lion King moves up the top ten list of long runs, passing the original Broadway production of 'Les Misérables.' As of 30 Nov 2013 the list of the top ten longest running Broadway shows is as follows: The Phantom of the Opera Cats Chicago The Lion King Les Miserables A Chorus Line Oh! Calcutta Beauty and the Beast Rent Mamma Mia! The Lion King celebrated it 16th anniversary 13 Nov 2013, when it made Broadway history in Oct 2013 when it became the first show on the Great White Way to gross over $1 billion. The Lion King opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 13 Nov 1997, following previews from 15 Oct. On the 13 Jun 2006 the musical moved to the Minskoff Theatre. 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 Gareth Saxe (Scar), Alton Fitzgerald White (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Jeffrey Kuhn (Zazu), Ben Jeffrey (Pumbaa), Fred Berman (Timon), Aaron Nelson (Simba), Chantel Riley (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed), Jaden Jordan and Caleb McLaughlin alternate the role of 'Young Simba' and, Bobbi Bordley and Teshi Thomas alternate the role of '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).
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