The Lion King plays its 4,500th performance on Broadway

Walt Disney's Broadway production of The Lion King will play its 4,500th performance on 24 Aug 2008, the musical is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Broadway.

The musical 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, where the musical is currently selling tickets through to 1 Mar 2008.

Since its Broadway opening The Lion King has become the 9th longest running musical on Broadway and has been seen by over 45 million people worldwide. In addition to New York City where the show has remained among the top 5 selling shows on Broadway for over 10 years, the curtain of The Lion King currently rises six more times every night all over the world in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris, Fukuoka, and the US national tour.

The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and has become the 9th longest-running musical on Broadway, surpassing the record held previously held by Miss Saigon.

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.

Directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Garth Fagan, The Lion King currently features Dan Donohue (Scar), Nathaniel Stampley (Mufasa), Tshidi Manye (Rafiki), Jeff Binder (Zazu), Blake Hammond (Pumbaa), Danny Rutigliano (Timon), Dashaun Young (Simba), Kissy Simmons (Nala), James Brown-Orleans (Benzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (Shenzi), Enrique Segura (Ed), Guy V. Barfield II & Shavar McIntosh (Young Simba), Nickayla Tucker & Halle Vargas Sullivan (Young Nala) and Jean Michelle Grier (Sarabi).

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

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.

The creative team for The Lion King features Richard Hudson (sets), Michael Curry (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting) and Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound).