Disneys The Lion King on Broadway breaks a record

Disney's The Lion King played its 4,098th performance on Tuesday, August 21, breaking the record held by Miss Saigon and becoming the 9th longest running show in Broadway history.

The Tony Award-winning The Lion King opened November 13, 1997 (previews began October 15) at the New Amsterdam Theatre and is now playing at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre (Broadway at West 45th Street). The Lion King will officially celebrate its 10th Anniversary on Sunday, November 11.

Worldwide, The Lion King, is the winner of over 70 major awards. The Lion King has been seen by over 42 million people, with eight productions across the globe: New York, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Seoul, Johannesburg, two US national tours, and upcoming in Paris.

"The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer and music from an album inspired by the animated film, Rhythm of the Pride Lands, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King score is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, embracing the Academy award-winning 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and the haunting 'Shadowland,'" state press materials.