It is based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios ' film of the same name. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. The musical debuted on July 8, , in Minneapolis , Minnesota at the Orpheum Theatre and was an instant success before premiering on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater on October 15, , in many previews with the official opening on November 13, On June 13, , 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 10, performances.
The musical debuted on July 8, , in Minneapolis , Minnesota, at the Orpheum Theatre and was successful before premiering on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre on October 15, , in previews, with the official opening on November 13, On June 13, , to make way for the Broadway production of Mary Poppins , the show moved to the Minskoff Theatre , where it is still running after more than 10, performances.
The show opened in the West End 's Lyceum Theatre on October 19, , and is still running after more than 9, performances. The cast of the West End production were invited to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in and , in the presence of senior members of the British Royal Family.
In September , 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. As the sun rises, Rafiki the mandrill calls the animals to Pride Rock. Elsewhere, Mufasa's brother, Scar , laments his lost chance at becoming King. Back at her baobab tree , Rafiki paints an image of the cub and asks the spirits to conjure the new prince 's name: Simba. Time passes and Simba grows into a lively young cub "Grasslands Chant".
Mufasa shows Simba the Pride Lands from the top of Pride Rock and explains that everything exists in a delicate balance known as the Circle of Life. Mufasa warns Simba not to stray beyond the boundaries of the Pride Lands, pointing out a shadowy area in the distance.
