Actors will host special free performances Friday, July 9 at 5 & 7 p.m.
LAS VEGAS, June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Cast members from
Disney's THE LION KING (at Mandalay Bay) will be performing
in Los Angeles at The Grove
outdoor shopping and entertainment district during a free event on
Friday, July 9 at
5 p.m. and 7
p.m.
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Performers will include Kissy
Simmons, who joined the Las
Vegas company after appearing as "Nala" on Broadway; Buyi
Zama, a native of South Africa,
who has performed as "Rafiki" in seven productions of THE LION KING
around the world; and Jelani Remy as
"Simba," previously seen in the theatrical touring production of
High School Musical. Join the cast as they celebrate
"THE LION KING Day" at The Grove, performing iconic songs from the
Broadway phenomenon such as "Circle of Life," "Shadowland," "Can
You Feel The Love Tonight" and "Endless Night" alongside the FAME
Church Choir, Los Angeles.
As part of the celebration, guests can also join in the
festivities by creating their own LION KING themed mask made from
recycled products with Ann Closs-Farley Designs from 3-7 PM.
For Las Vegas, Disney
hand-selected an acclaimed, international cast of performers from
productions of THE LION KING across the globe including Broadway,
Taipei, South Africa, London, Los
Angeles, Australia,
Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.
The Las Vegas production of THE
LION KING is virtually identical to the other companies seen around
the globe and is staged with all of the same spectacular music,
sets, and costumes that have made it a worldwide phenomenon.
The show is performed at Mandalay Bay Monday through Thursday
evenings at 7:30 p.m. with weekend
shows at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. For additional information, visit:
www.LionKingLasVegas.com
ABOUT THE LION KING
THE LION KING began as a 1994 animated feature-length
film developed and produced by the Walt Disney Company. On
stage, Director Julie Taymor's
creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway
artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters. The
story, a coming of age parable set among animals indigenous to the
African savanna, tells the tale of Simba, the lion cub who rises to
be the King of the jungle.
THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most
popular shows on Broadway and around the world. THE LION
KING can also be seen on stage across North America and in Las Vegas, London, Hamburg, Paris and Tokyo. Now in its 13th year, THE LION
KING is the eighth longest-running musical in Broadway history
and one of only five musical productions in theatre history to play
for ten years or more on both Broadway and the West End.
THE LION KING has been seen by more than 50 million
people in 13 different countries and translated into five different
languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch).
THE LION KING made history in September 2009 when two of its signature costumes
were inducted into the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's
National Museum of American History.
The global phenomenon is the winner of more than 70 major awards
worldwide, including the 1998 Tony Award® and NY Drama Critics
Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show
Album, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography
and Best Costume Design.
Julie Taymor was the first
woman in theatrical history to win the Tony Award for Best
Direction of a Musical. She is also the winner of the 1998
Tony Award for Best Costume Design.
Taymor, along with designer Michael
Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for
THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; costume design is by
Julie Taymor; lighting design
is by Donald Holder.
Choreography is by Garth
Fagan. The book has been adapted by
Roger Allers, who co-directed
the animated feature and Irene
Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay.
The Broadway score features Elton
John and Tim
Rice's music from The Lion King 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 "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an
album inspired by the original music in the film, written by
Lebo M, Mark Mancina
and Hans Zimmer. The
resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western
popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of
Africa, ranging from the Academy®
Award-winning song "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" to the haunting
ballad "Shadowlands."
About Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is a AAA Four Diamond
Award-winning destination resort set on 60 lush acres and offers
3,635 newly remodeled rooms and suites, including 424
accommodations managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Mandalay
Bay Beach, an 11-acre tropical
pool environment, features real California sand, a wave pool and the only
climate-controlled poolside gaming in the city. The property also
features the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning
restaurants, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 1.5-million-square-foot
Mandalay Bay Convention Center – the largest convention center on
the Las Vegas Strip. Mandalay Bay's brands include THEhotel, an
all-suite hotel featuring 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites, the
BATHHOUSE Spa, and Mandalay Place, a collection of unique boutiques
and restaurants. Mandalay Bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM
Resorts International™ (NYSE: MGM). For more information and
reservations, visit the Web site at www.mandalaybay.com, or call
toll free at (877) 632-7000.
About The Grove
The Grove, developed by Caruso Affiliated, is one of
Los Angeles' most popular
shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. Since
opening in 2002, The Grove, located in the Fairfax district in the heart of the city, has
become a destination for residents and visitors attracting more
than 18 million people each year. Caruso Affiliated is
nationally recognized for creating innovative open-air retail
environments that serve as local gathering places such as The
Grove.
SOURCE Mandalay Bay