Disney’s THE LION KING continues to reign across North America with a sold-out run in Washington, D.C., which concluded on Sunday, August 17 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. During the nine-week return engagement, the tour grossed more than $16.5 million at the box office, entertained more than 159,000 patrons and celebrated its 5,000th performance, becoming one of the rare few touring productions to achieve this milestone. The show’s nine-week premiere engagement in 2008 played a sold-out run in the Kennedy Center Opera House.
Also during the engagement, THE LION KING had the distinct honor of performing two songs for First Lady Michelle Obama and guests on Friday, July 18 at a Kids’ State Dinner at the White House.
Disney Theatrical Productions estimates that the Washington, D.C. engagement of THE LION KING generated a $53.9 million economic benefit to the city from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Touring Broadway League report which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.27 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area’s economy.
“As the tour played its 5,000th performance, it is profoundly gratifying to reflect that THE LION KING has been entertaining and inspiring theatergoers throughout North America for the past 12 years,” said Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic, Disney Theatrical Productions. “We were delighted to celebrate this milestone in D.C. at the Kennedy Center Opera House, and were honored to perform for the First Lady at the White House. The enduring response to the show is overwhelming and we are enormously thankful to the D.C. community and our partners at the Kennedy Center for another sensational engagement.”
The North American touring productions of THE LION KING have been seen by more than 15 million theatergoers and grossed over $1 billion to date. After 12 years on the road, THE LION KING continues to play to standing room only houses throughout North America. The current schedule is listed below.