THE LION KING

 Based on the Disney animated movie The Lion King (1994) written by Irene Meechi,

Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton and directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers

 Playwright(s) for the musical: Roger Allers and Irene Meechi

 Original musical director: Julie Taymor (first woman to win “Best Direction of a

Musical” at the 1998 Tony Awards)

 Original composer(s): Elton John and Tim Rice

 Original Producer(s): Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer

 Lion King is the most successful musical of all time with a gross of $1.6 billion U.S

worldwide

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LION KING SYNOPSIS

The young lion prince Simba is to one day succeed his father Mufasa as king and rule over the

Pride Lands. Mufasa teaches his son about the "Circle of Life" and how to rule as king, however,

Mufasa's jealous brother Scar murders Mufasa and makes young Simba believe he was

responsible for his own father’s death and Simba runs away to never return making Scar the new

king and allowing Scar to let his army of hyenas move into the Pride Lands.

Simba, who back home was thought to be dead, is found and raised by two carefree social

outcasts, Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog. He grows up with them and learns to be

carefree and to ignore all his problems and trauma by just say “no worries”. Eventually he is

found by his childhood friend Nala and the shaman Rafiki who were surprised to find him alive

after so long and they convince him to come back and challenge Scar for his kingdom that is

rightfully his.

He is reluctant to face his past because he still thinks he caused his father’s death. But he returns

home, finding the Pride Lands in ruin under Scar's ruling, he challenges Scar and with the lions

on his side, defeats him and the hyenas. He restores order to the "Circle of Life" and takes his

rightful place as king.

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Original Broadway Musical cast:

Young Simba     Scott Irby Ranniar

Simba                 Jason Raize

Mufasa               Samuel E. Wright

Sarabi                 Gina Breedlove

Scar                    John Vickery

Young Nala        Kajuana Shuford  

Nala                    Heather Headley

Timon                Max Casella

Pumbaa             Tom Alan Robbins

Rafiki                  Tsidii Le Loka

Zazu                   Geoff Hoyle

Shenzi                Tracy Nicole Chapman

Benzai                Stanley Wayne Mathis

Ed                        Kevin Cahoon

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Original Broadway musical song(s):

"Circle of Life"- Faca Kulu, Lebo M, The Lion King Ensemble and Tsidii Le Loka

"Grasslands Chant" – The Lion King Ensemble

"The Morning Report" – Geoff Hoyle, Samuel E. Wright and Scott Irby-Ranniar

"The Lioness Hunt" – Lebo M and The Lion King Ensemble

"I Just Can’t Wait to be King" – Geoff Hoyle, Kajuana Shuford, Scott Irby-Ranniar and The

Lion King Ensemble

"Chow Down" – Kevin Cahoon, Stanley Wayne Mathis and Tracy Nicole Chapman

"They Live in You" – Samuel E. Wright and The Lion King Ensemble

"Be Prepared" – John Vickery, Kevin Cahoon, Stanley Wayne Mathis, The Lion King Ensemble

and Tracy Nicole Chapman

"The Stampede" – The Lion King Ensemble

"Rafiki Mourns" – The Lion King Ensemble and Tsidii Le Loka

"Hakuna Matata" – Jason Raize, Max Casella, Scott Irby-Ranniar, The Lion King Ensemble and

Tom Alan Robbins

"One by One" – Lebo M and The Lion King Ensemble

"The Madness of King Scar" – Geoff Hoyle, Heather Headley, John Vickery, Kevin Cahoon,

Stanley Wayne Mathis and Tracy Nicole Chapman

"Shadowland" – Heather Headley, The Lion King Ensemble and Tsidii Le Loka

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" – Lebo M

"Endless Night" – Jason Raize and The Lion King Ensemble

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" – Heather Headley, Jason Raize, Max Casella, The Lion

King Ensemble and Tom Alan Robbins

"He Lives in You (Reprise)" – Jason Raize, The Lion King Ensemble and Tsidii Le Loka

"Simba Confronts Scar" – Mark Mancina and Robert Elhai

"King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)" – Geoff Hoyle, Heather Headley, Jason Raize,

Lebo M, Max Casella, The Lion King Ensemble, Tom Alan Robbins and Tsidii Le Loka

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

www.broadwayworld.com

stageagent.com

disneymusical.fandom.com

www.ibdb.com

Disney.fandom.com

Performances:

THE LION KING (West End) - "He Lives in You" [LIVE @ The Alan Titchmarsh Show] - YouTube

Circle Of Life - The Lion King Musical . HD - YouTube