GOOD MORNING BROADWAY FANS! We are just 4 days away till Broadway’s biggest night of the year, the 71st Annual Tony Awards. We have more exciting spectacular performances coming your way on our TOP 30 TONY AWARDS COUNTDOWN.

At # 4, we take you deep into the heart of the Africa where a heroic lion cub is destined to take his Father’s place as the future true king of the jungle. This is Disney’s Award winning smash hit The Lion King – Musical. It features a score by Sir Elton John and lyrics by Sir Tim Rice (Official) with a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. Plus, an additional South African themed score created by Lebo M. Plus spectacular staging by Julie Taymor. It’s based on the acclaimed 1994 Disney Animated film of the same name.

From the 1998 telecast, Tony nominee Tsidii Le Loka as “Rafiki” and the cast perform the show’s iconic and signature opening number CIRLCE OF LIFE.

The musical was first conceived as an idea by former CEO Walt Disney company, Michael Eisner following the success of their first big Broadway hit Beauty and the Beast, Eisner talked to Thomas Schumacher (President of Disney Theatrical Productions) However, Schumacher and everyone at Disney laughed at his idea. Many people thought the show would become a huge flop. However, Schumacher came to his senses and he already knew someone who could possibly pull it off…Julie Taymor at the time was big in the worlds of Theater, Film, TV, and Opera. She watched the film and came up with the most genius ideas by designing these beautiful elaborate sets, costumes, and puppets (along with directing) For those who have seen this show live on stage so far, you know what we’re talking about…

Following an acclaimed out of town tryout in Minneapolis in the Summer of 1997, the show officially arrived on Broadway at the newly renovated New Amsterdam Theatre (in the heart of all the now family-friendly 42nd Street) in the Fall of that same year. The show went on to become a Broadway smash hit! It later transferred to it’s current home at the Minskoff Theatre in 2006 where it continues to play to sold out houses there today. THE LION KING is currently in 3rd Longest Running Show in Broadway and is about to celebrate it’s 20th Anniversary this November. The show run went to be nominated for 12 Tony Awards in 1998 winning 6 including Best Musical. Plus Julie Taymor made Broadway History as the first Female ever to win the Tony for Best Director.

Along with Broadway, THE LION KING continues to play to packed houses as well in London’s West End, across the UK, across the US, and around the world.

Who gets the chills from seeing this spectacular show?

#TheLionKing #TonyAwards #NewYorkBroadwayTours #NYBTTonysCountdown #NYBTTop30TonysCountdown #CountdownToTheTonys #BroadwaysGreatestHits

The Lion King: Circle of Life at 1998 Tony Awards)

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Author: NYBroadwayTours