The AP is reporting that with a worldwide gross of over $6.2 billion, “The Lion King” stage musical is now the top box office draw in any media in all time. The show took over that claim from “The Phantom of the Opera” this summer who congratulated The Lion King by calling the Disney show “The Pride of Broadway.”
Speaking on the milestone Thomas Schumacher, president and producer at Disney Theatrical Productions said, “It’s difficult not to become emotional at this realization of the show’s impact. Our goal then was to tell the story purely and theatrically so that audiences could feel it in their heart. And, to this day, that is the audience experience whether they see the show in Madrid; Appleton, Wisconsin; South Africa; Tokyo or Broadway. Of that, we are deeply proud.”
The Lion King premiered on Broadway in 1997. It is directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features songs by Elton John and lyrics from Tim Rice.