Alert The Herd! ‘The Lion King’ Returns To San Diego’s Pride Rock!

André Jackson as Simba and the Ensemble singing “He Lives In You.” (Photo: Joan Marcus; © Disney)

Disney’s The Lion King leaps onto the Civic Theatre stage, Oct. 13 for a four week run. This engagement is currently one of seven productions running worldwide along with New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Paris and Las Vegas.

Over 45 million people worldwide have come to discover the wonder, the majesty, and the truly one-of-a-kind experience that is The Lion King, considered the world’s most spectacular musical. Hailed by Newsweek as “a landmark event in entertainment,” The Lion King is a breathtaking adventure that stretches the boundaries of Broadway, from the heart of Africa to the plains of your imagination.

Now in its second sold-out decade in New York, The Lion King is based on Disney’s popular 1994 animated movie. Several of the movie’s creators assisted acclaimed director Julie Taymor to bring the drawings to the stage. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay for The Lion King. The score features Elton John and Tim Rice‘s music from the original film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin Hans Zimmer and Taymor.

Phindile Mkhize as Rafiki in The Lion King. (Photo: Joan Marcus; © Disney)

The stage spectacle has been honored with six Tony Awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, six Outer Critics Circle Awards, the New York Drama Critics award for Best Musical, the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year, two Olivier Awards, a Theatre World Award, the Astaire Award for Outstanding Choreography, two Drama League Awards and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Director Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King.

Leading the San Diego cast is Dionne Randolph as the lion king Mufasa. His credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, Little Shop of Horrors and Once on this Island. Mufasa’s brother, the malevolent and evil Scar, is being played by Timothy Carter, whose credits include The Three Musketeers and Macbeth with The Acting Company. Phindile Mkhize, a native of South Africa, is the wise Rafiki. She has traveled to Germany, Australia, Holland and Amsterdam performing and sharing her talents, and her credits include 1994 The Lion King Soundtrack.

The meerkat Timon is being played by Tyler Murree, who has appeared in productions of Dirty Dancing, The Lord of the Rings: The Musical and Disney’s Twice Charmed. Tony Freeman, who portrays Zazu, has previously played the role on Broadway for more than 1,300 performances. And Ben Lipitz is Pumbaa, the warthog.

Two San Diego natives also join the company. Granite Hill High School grad Jared Tanner is the standby for Pumbaa, Timon and Zazu. Wardrobe Assistant Gretchen Heidenreich attended San Diego State University, and was an acting student at The Old Globe Theatre.

Disney Presents The Lion King
A Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation
Oct. 13 – Nov. 8
Tickets: $20-$79

San Diego Civic Theatre, 3rd and B Street (in downtown San Diego)
Box Office: (619) 570-1100, or Ticketmaster
Online: www.broadwaysd.com and www.lionkingtour.com

• Premium Ticket Packages are available for $132.50, which includes a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item.