NASHVILLE, TN (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — With 8 performances remaining in Nashville, The Lion King already has completely sold out its six-week engagement at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Andrew Jackson Hall.
By the time it completes its run in Nashville on Sunday, December 3, The Lion King will have entertained a total audience of more than 100,000 people with a show about which The Tennessean says "Nashville, the wait has been worth it. Disney's The Lion King is spectacle, drama, comedy, music, puppetry and dance that entertains young and old in the circle of life."
"With total box office sales reaching almost $7 million, this engagement of The Lion King is the highest grossing theatrical production in TPAC's history," said Kathleen O'Brien, TPAC's president and chief executive officer. "If you've seen the show, you know. It's a stunning production that touches audiences of all ages. It's been a remarkable experience bringing this show to a full house almost every night."
Making a major economic impact on the city, The Lion King drew thousands of first-time theatergoers and many travelers from more than 100 miles away to see this show.
"We are thrilled that people in communities all across the country continue to embrace The Lion King," said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic Touring, Disney Theatrical Productions. "We are excited to give so many first-time and regular theatergoers in Nashville the spectacular experience of this award-winning Broadway production."
Over the past four years, The Lion King's two national touring productions have played to more than 10 million people in more than 45 major cities in 27 states. In addition to Nashville, The Lion King will premiere in Appleton, Austin, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, and Orlando this season, and play return engagements in Cincinnati, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles.
The Lion King is the winner of over 70 major awards worldwide and has become a global phenomenon seen by over 34 million people. In addition to Broadway and its two national tours, The Lion King can also be seen in London, Hamburg, and Tokyo. A new production of the show will premiere in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2007, and opened in Seoul, South Korea last month. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers