The Lion King in New York (Minskoff Theatre)
The Lion King in New York Details
From the opening number, fans will be captivated by the music and magic that is the epic tale of The Lion King. This blockbuster musical, a brilliant production that blends artistry and entertainment, has been capturing the hearts of over 100 million theater fans since its debut in 1997 — first in Minneapolis for its trial run and then on Broadway. With over 70 awards under its curtain and 25 productions around the world, it is no wonder that this show is one of the longest-running in Broadway history.
The Lion King is based on Disney’s 1994 film of the same name, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub who is heir to his father’s throne. When a plot by his evil uncle leaves his father dead, Simba must enlist the help of his friends Timon and Pumbaa to take back his homeland. The musical is filled with lavish costumes originally designed by its first director Julie Taymor and visually stunning puppets portraying wild animals from the African kingdom like zebras and giraffes. The Lion King is a feast not only for the eyes, but for the ears as well.
The Lion King first debuted to the public at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 8, 1997 before heading to Broadway for previews in October and then premiering at the New Amsterdam Theater on November 13, 1997. In the Summer of 2006, the musical moved to its new location at the Minskoff theater where it has since become the top earning show of all time — over $8 billion is box office sales.
The Minskoff Theater is located at 1515 Broadway in Midtown Manhattan in the legendary Broadway district and seats more than 16,00 theater patrons. The history of the Minskoff Theater dates back to 1973 when it opened with “Irene” starring Debbie Reynolds. The theater went onto host notable musicals including Sweet Charity, Cabaret, and Sunset Boulevard. The theater is on the third floor of One Astor Plaza, a tower that is part of The Astor Hotel. There are two bars on each of the three levels where guests can enjoy mixed drinks, sodas, and candy.
The Lion King is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical and eight Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Director. It has also won awards for other productions including two Laurence Olivier Awards for its London production and three Moliére awards for France.
The average resale ticket price for a ticket to The Lion King in New York is $211. However, prices can vary depending on the seating section, day of week, and show time.
The Lion King in New York City Dates
The Lion King opened at the Minskoff Theater on Broadway in New York in June 2006. It has been playing there ever since with shows scheduled continuously, tickets on sale indefinitely, and no closing date announced.
The Lion King in New York Performance Times
The Lion King is playing in New York at the Minskoff Theater six days a week. See below for a typical weekly schedule of performances:
- Monday: No shows
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 7:00pm
- Wednesday and Saturday Matinee: 2:00pm
- Friday and Saturday: 8:00pm
- Sunday Matinee: 3:00pm