The Lion King on Broadway tickets
About The Lion King
Join the circle of life and experience the majesty of The Lion King on Broadway, whose unique stagecraft brings the Disney film to life unlike anything else on stage. Get The Lion King tickets now and see the third-longest-running show in Broadway history.
The Lion King on Broadway roared onto the scene in 1997, just three years after the release of the animated classic. The plot of the film remains the same on stage: Simba, a young lion cub, must defeat his evil uncle Scar and take his rightful place as King of the Pride Lands.
The Lion King opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, the home base of Disney on Broadway, in November 1997, transferring to the Minskoff in 2006.
The successful reimagining of The Lion King on stage is largely thanks to the creative genius of director and costume designer Julie Taymor. In 1998, she won two Tony Awards in those respective categories, and the production itself picked up a total of six Tonys, including Best Musical. Her costumes incorporate various theatrical traditions of puppetry, with headdresses that portray the animal character each actor represents while never hiding the actor's face. They are highly detailed, merging textiles and fabrics with elements of African traditions and customs. As much as the timeless story, the stagecraft is one of the main reasons The Lion King on Broadway is iconic on its own.
Who wrote the music for The Lion King?
Elton John and Tim Rice wrote the music for The Lion King musical and movie. All the beloved songs from the animated classic remain in the musical, including "Circle of Life," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "Be Prepared," "Hakuna Matata," and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" Lebo M, Hans Zimmer, Mark Mancina, and Jay Rifkin also wrote additional songs for the musical, such as "They Live in You," "Shadowland," and "Endless Night."
How long is The Lion King on Broadway?
The Lion King runs 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.
The Lion King is the perfect introduction for kids to the wonders of live theatre, and its themes and stylistic maturity are timelessly appropriate for theatregoers of all ages. So feel the love tonight and see why The Lion King in New York remains the pride of Broadway.
(Photos by Joan Marcus)
Run time
2hr 30min. Incl. 1 intermission.
Venue
Categories
Musicals, Must-See, Broadway, Family / Kid-friendly, Film / TV, Award winners, Classic
Age
Ages 6+.
Start date
October 15th, 1997
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“Breathtaking costumes and music bring childhood magic to life”
A Timeless Spectacle for All Ages
The Lion King delivers a Broadway experience that audiences overwhelmingly describe as magical and unforgettable. Julie Taymor's groundbreaking costume and set design consistently earns the highest pr...
What It Feels Like
- Magical nostalgia
- Visually stunning
- Joyfully immersive
You’ll Love This If…
- You want a spectacular introduction to Broadway
- You appreciate inventive costumes and puppetry
- You enjoy sharing beloved stories with family
The Lion King was the first Broadway Show that I ever saw about 15 years ago in New York. It was beyond my expectations and so amazing!! I was a little disappointed in the the show I just saw this past weekend because it seemed there were issues with the sound and mics. The energy and vocals were not as good as the first time I saw this show. I would still encourage folks to attend if they have never seen this production.
Lion King was a sensational experience! From start to finish, it was a masterpiece. I left with my jaw dropped- the costumes, vocals, and choreography are superb!
The show is amazing. The costumes, the way the actors move their bodies to move like animals is unbelievable. The cast is very good, also the musicians. We had a wonderful time.
Our Review
'The Lion King' review
The Lion King cast and creative team
By: Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice, and a Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi, with Additional Music by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, & Jay Rifkin
Director: Julie Taymor
Producer: Disney Theatrical Productions
Cast list: Mduduzi Madela (as Simba), L. Steven Taylor (as Mufasa), Pearl Khwezi (as Nala), Gavin Lee (as Scar), Ntsepa Pitjeng-Molebatsi (as Rafiki), Ben Jeffrey (as Pumbaa), Cameron Pow (as Zazu), Fred Berman (as Timon), James Brown-Orleans (as Banzai), Bonita J. Hamilton (as Shenzi), Robb Sapp (as Ed), Caleb Beltran and Andrea Guzman (alternating as Young Simba), Camilla Lockhart and Emma Origenes (alternating as Young Nala)
Design: Richard Hudson
Lighting: Donald Holder
Costume: Julie Taymor
Choreography: Garth Fagan
Sound: Steve Canyon Kennedy
Venue
Accessibility
Wheelchair and companion seating available; staff assistance and service animals welcome; accessible restrooms on both levels; assistive listening, audio description, and captioning via devices or app.
More information about The Lion King
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Audio Described / Captioned Performances
On-demand pre-recorded audio description and closed captions are available for every performance through the GalaPro app on personal devices, or through I-Caption devices at the theatre. This fully automated system displays dialogue, lyrics and sound effects on a handheld display. Devices are available to guests upon arrival at the theater. Please ask an Usher or House Manager for assistance.
Show schedule
| Day of week | Matinee | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | - | 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | - | - |
| Wednesday | 1:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | - | 7:00 PM |
| Friday | - | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | - |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
Frequently asked questions
What is The Lion King about?
Based on the animated Disney classic, The Lion King features hit Elton John songs like "Circle of Life," "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" Witness the story of a lion cub following in his father's royal footsteps, brought to life with awe-inspiring puppetry evocative of the African savannah. Learn more about tickets to the six-time Tony-winning Best Musical.
Where is The Lion King playing?
The Lion King is playing at Minskoff Theatre. The theatre is located at 200 West 45th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenue), New York, 10036.
How long is The Lion King?
The running time of The Lion King is 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 intermission.
What's the age recommendation for The Lion King?
The recommended age for The Lion King is Ages 6+..
How do you book tickets for The Lion King?
Book tickets for The Lion King on New York Theatre Guide.
Who wrote The Lion King?
The Lion King features music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. The script is by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, who adapted it from the Disney film's screenplay by Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton.
What songs are in The Lion King on Broadway?
The Lion King's songs include all the film favorites, such as "The Circle of Life," "Be Prepared," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." There are also multiple songs written specifically for the musical. Learn more about all the songs in The Lion King on Broadway.
When did The Lion King open on Broadway?
The Lion King opened in October 1997. The musical is now the third-longest-running Broadway show of all time.
Who directed The Lion King on Broadway?
Julie Taymor directs The Lion King on Broadway. She won two Tony Awards for her work, which included designing the show's unique puppets.
Is The Lion King on Broadway different from the movie?
The Lion King musical is mostly the same as the movie. The plot is the same, but the musical features multiple additional songs beyond the ones from the film. Additionally, one of the main characters, Rafiki, is a female character, whereas the character was male in the film.
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