"The Lion King" is a musical play based on the 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios' animated feature film of the same name with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, along with additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer. Directed by Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
The musical debuted on July 8, 1997 and was successful before premiering on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on October 15, 1997, in previews, with the official opening on November 13, 1997. On June 13, 2006, the Broadway production moved to the Minskoff Theatre to make way for the musical version of "Mary Poppins", where it is still running after more than 9,000 performances. It is Broadway's third longest-running show in history, and has grossed more than $1 billion, making it the highest grossing Broadway production of all time. Over 100 million people worldwide have seen the musical, and it has earned numerous awards and honors, including 6 Tony Awards, one for Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical, making director Julie Taymor the first woman to earn such an honor.
In September 2014, "The Lion King" became the top-earning title in box-office history for both stage works and films, surpassing the record previously held by "The Phantom of the Opera". The musical has grossed nearly $8.1 billion as of 2017.
Disney Theatrical Productions partnered with Jamaal Parham and Bashan Aquart of ArtClass, also known as the directing duo Jams x Bash, to collaborate on a 3-minute commercial spot, as a branded short film titled "Generations". The short film is the first of its kind for a Broadway production, in celebration of the historic 25th Anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway. Shefik appears in the commercial as a Theater Goer.
The emotional short film commemorates the legacy of "The Lion King", forged over a quarter-century: connecting generations, bringing them together over a common love and enchantment of the visuals, the music, and the story of "The Lion King". The short film celebrates the spell cast by the show as it takes on a time jump, intercutting from 1997 to present day, showcasing the longevity of the production and the bonds it has forged within untold millions of families. At the same time, the film celebrates Broadway and the impact of live performance on audiences, particularly New Yorkers. Filmed entirely on location in New York City, and featuring the current cast of the show, the short film acts as a celebration of the triumphant return of visual storytelling and the arts as a whole.
Credits
- Director: Jams x Bash
- Theater Goer: Shefik
Last Updated: April 29, 2023
