My Portfolio

Shefik applies a holistic approach to code theory, practice, and appreciation. Through this, he is well-rounded in a variety of facets pertaining to web development. Not only from an engineering perspective, but from a business perspective.

Portfolio

Search Help

The Lion King: Generations

ArtClass Content / Disney Theatrical Productions

"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, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Orpheum Theatre 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.

The show opened in the West End's Lyceum Theatre on October 19, 1999, and is still running after more than 7,500 performances. The cast of the West End production were invited to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in 1999 and 2008, in the presence of senior members of the British Royal Family. The theatre flooded on May 11, 2020, while the theatre was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Lion King" reopened at the Lyceum in July 2021.

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.

As of March 12, 2020, the show suspended production on Broadway due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Lion King" resumed Broadway performances on September 14, 2021.

As part of the 25th anniversary of "The Lion King" on Broadway, Shefik will appear in a commercial as a Subway Rider / Theatergoer.

Credit: Shefik (Subway Rider / Theatergoer)

Last Updated: October 8, 2022

About Shefik

Celebrating over 25 years in the entertainment industry, Shefik has held senior-level positions at many Fortune 500 companies and celebrated brands, including IBM, NBCUniversal, and MTV World. He currently serves as a Technical Lead at NBCUniversal. His work has been featured in television broadcasts and video productions for TIME, The Washington Center, "Unsung" (TV One), and Broadway World. He is currently the Executive Producer and Host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Shefik presents Invocation", which is broadcast on 23 terrestrial radio stations and frequencies throughout the United States, as well as the internationally syndicated video series of the same name via Amazon and other notable outlets.