Disney's THE LION KING Opens at the Orpheum Theatre Tonight

Disney's THE LION KING returns to San Francisco for the first time since its triumphant 43 week run at the SHN Orpheum Theatre in 2004. THE LION KING will play an 11 week engagement at the SHN Orpheum Theatre beginning tonight, November 1 through January 13, 2013.

The performance schedule for THE LION KING will be Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 2pm and Sunday matinees at 1pm. Select Wednesday matinees at 2pm and Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. Visit shnsf.com for complete performance schedule including holidays. Ticket prices start as low as $35.

Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Tickets are on sale at the SHN Orpheum Theatre Box Office, online at shnsf.com and by phone at SHN Audience Services at 888 746 1799.

SHN Audience Services hours are Monday 10 – 6, Tuesday through Friday 10 – 8, Saturday 10 – 6 and Sunday 10 – 4. When in performance, SHN Audience Services will remain open until ½ hour past curtain time. Visit shnsf.com for current Box Office hours. Groups of fifteen (15) or more may order by calling 888 746 1799, Press 3. The only official and approved websites for ticket purchases for THE LION KING at the Orpheum in San Francisco are lionking.com and shnsf.com.

The North American touring production of THE LION KING has been seen by more than 14 million theatergoers and grossed over $928 million to date. Having already played more than 70 cities across North America, THE LION KING now proudly makes its San Francisco return at the Orpheum Theatre.

In its 15th year, THE LION KING recently became the highest-grossing Broadway show in history. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 64 million people, grossed over $4.8 billion and, cumulatively, run a staggering 91 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher),

THE LION KING is the sixth longest-running musical in Broadway history and only the second show to produce five productions running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Mandarin, Spanish), the show has been performed in 15 different countries on five continents. Continuing to reign as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world, THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, on stages across North America, on tour in Japan, and in Tokyo, London's West End, Hamburg and Madrid. A UK tour launches in August of this year.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

On stage, Taymor's creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. Taymor, along with designer Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (Production Supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com. And for more about the performances in San Francisco, click here.