With eigh performances remaining in Nashville, THE LION KING already has completely sold out its six-week engagement at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Andrew Jackson Hall. 

By the time it completes its run in Nashville on Sunday, Dec. 3, THE LION KING will have entertained a total audience of more than 100,000 people with a show about which The Tennessean says “Nashville, the wait has been worth it. Disney’s THE LION KING is spectacle, drama, comedy, music, puppetry and dance that entertains young and old in the circle of life.”

“With total box office sales reaching almost $7 million, this engagement of THE LION KING is the highest grossing theatrical production in TPAC’s history,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC’s president and chief executive officer. “If you’ve seen the show, you know. It’s a stunning production that touches audiences of all ages. It’s been a remarkable experience bringing this show to a full house almost every night.”

Making a major economic impact on the city, THE LION KING drew thousands of first-time theatergoers and many travelers from more than 100 miles away to see this show.

“We are thrilled that people in communities all across the country continue to embrace THE LION KING,” said Jack Eldon, vice president, domestic touring, Disney Theatrical Productions. “We are excited to give so many first-time and regular theatergoers in Nashville the spectacular experience of this award-winning Broadway production.”

Over the past four years, THE LION KING’s two national touring productions have played to more than 10 million people in more than 45 major cities in 27 states. In addition to Nashville, THE LION KING will premiere in Appleton, Austin, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, and Orlando this season, and play return engagements in Cincinnati, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles.

THE LION KING is the winner of over 70 major awards worldwide and has become a global phenomenon seen by over 34 million people. In addition to Broadway and its two national tours, THE LION KING can also be seen in London, Hamburg, and Tokyo. A new production of the show will premiere in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2007, and opened in Seoul, South Korea last month.

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to providing and supporting the presentation of the performing arts to the citizens of Tennessee. Its four stages are home to Broadway in Nashville at TPAC, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, Tennessee Repertory Theatre and a variety of special engagements.  TPAC administers one of the largest and most comprehensive arts-in-education programs in the United States, offering learning opportunities for children and adults.  The organization has served more than 1.4 million students from pre-school to high school over the past two decades.  For more information, visit the web site, www.tpac.org.

Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of 51 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over 5 million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. Broadway Across America is a division of Live Nation (NYSE: LYV), a leading live content and distribution company focused on creating superior experiences for artists, performers, corporations and fans.  For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent, go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, a unit of BUENA VISTA THEATRICAL GROUP, operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher. Disney’s hit productions of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING, and Elton John & Tim Rice’s AIDA have been presented in 42 international productions that have been seen by nearly 70 million people worldwide—making DTP one of the world’s largest producers of live theatre.  Disney’s new musical, TARZAN®, had its world premiere at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre in May 2006.  MARY POPPINS, produced in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh, is now playing at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, and a new production opened November 16 at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre.  Further information about productions can be found at www.disneyonbroadway.com.