The stage version of The Lion King opened in Minneapolis in July 1997 and on Broadway in November 1997. It tells the story of Simba, a young lion who flees his kingdom after his uncle Scar orchestrates the death of Simba's father Mufasa. Years later, Simba returns to challenge Scar and take his place as king. The musical features music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice and has broken box office records on Broadway, running for over 20 years.

2. When it Opened
• It’s world premier came in
Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum
Theatre on July 8th, 1997.
• It opened to the public on November
13th, 1997.

3. The Story of “The Lion King”
A stage version of the 1994 Disney film “The Lion
King,” it is the story of a young lion living in the African
Pride Lands. Simba spends his days exploring the
grasslands and taking after his father, Mufasa, while
avoiding the responsibility he is required to fulfill. When
his uncle Scar plans a stampede of wildebeest that kills
Mufasa, Simba flees the Pride Lands. Eventually
accompanied by Timon (meerkat) and Pumbaa
(warthog), Simba starts a new life. But when a surprise
run-in with his old friend Nala and she tells him to return
home, Simba must battle his uncle Scar and fulfill his
destiny to be king of the Pride Lands and follow in his
father’s footsteps.

4. The Cast
• Simba Adam Jacobs
• Mufasa Alton Fitzgerald White
• Scar Patrick R. Brown
• Rafiki Tshidi Manye
• Nala Chauntee Schuler
• Young Simba (alternating performances) Judah Bellamy
• Young Simba (alternating performances) Alfonso Romero Jones II
• Zazu Cameron Pow
• Pumbaa Ben Jeffrey
• Timon Fred Berman
• Young Nala (alternating performances) Khail Toi Bryant
• Young Nala (alternating performances) Shaylin Becton
• Banzai James Brown-Orleans
• Ed Enrique Segura
• Shenzi Bonita J. Hamilton

5. Music
• Composer Elton John
• Lyrics Tim Rice

6. Songs
One by One
Circle of Life
Grasslands Chant The Madness of King Scar
The Morning Report*
Shadowland
The Lioness Hunt
I Just Can't Wait to Be King Endless Night
Chow Down
Can You Feel the Love Tonight
They Live in You
He Lives in You (Reprise)
Be Prepared
Simba Confronts Scar
The Stampede/Rafiki Mourns
King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)
Hakuna Matata

7. Awards
1) Best Choreography
2) Best Costume Design
3) Best Director
4) Best Lighting Design
5) Best New Musical (1998)
6) Best Scenic Design
7) Best Music Nomination

8. Interesting Facts
• “The Lion King” is now Broadway's seventh longest-
running show in history.
• As of this month, it is the highest grossing Broadway show
of all time, having made $853.8 million.
• The actors in the play use large animal puppets and paint
themselves the color of the animal to resemble the
character they hold and move.

9. Group Members
Steven Schroeck
Eric Thiemann
Zach Smith
Michael Lustenberger