Prepare for the chance of a lifetime, because a special live-to-film concert event celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Lion King will be held for one weekend at the Hollywood Bowl! For one weekend only, there will be a special live-to-film concert/screening at the Hollywood Bowl celebrating the 30th anniversary of Disney’s highest-grossing traditionally animated feature, The Lion King.
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Cast members from different parts of the franchise, such as the Broadway musical and the 2019 remake, will be part of the performance. Notable names include Jeremy Irons (Scar), Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Jason Weaver (young Simba’s singing voice) from the 1994 animation, Bradley Gibson (Simba) from the Broadway musical, and Billy Eichner (Timon) from the 2019 remake. The cast members will perform musical numbers, written by Elton John and Tim Rice, that originated from the songs they originally performed.
THE LION KING 30TH ANNIVERSARY FILM-TO-LIVE PERFORMANCE COMING TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL
A full orchestra led by conductor Sarah Hicks will perform the Oscar-winning score composed by Hans Zimmer, along with a full choir, projections of the film on the Bowl shell, costumes and puppets from the Broadway adaptation, and other glorious sights to behold for this festivity.
Other celebrities from outside the franchise will also be part of the performance, such as Jennifer Hudson. Although she has not worked in The Lion King franchise before, one can speculate that she may sing the opening number “Circle of Life”. The cast in every adaptation of the story is mostly male, but the song requires a strong female voice. Hudson had previously performed “Circle of Life” as a Season 3 contestant in American Idol. Other guest celebrities joining the concert are to be announced.
This monumental celebration precedes the upcoming release of Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel of the 2019 remake. Eichner will reprise his role as Timon in the film, directed by Barry Jenkins. Mufasa: The Lion King is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 20, 2024.
General on-sale tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster, with an American Express cardholder presale beginning on April 23. The shows will take place at the Hollywood Bowl on May 24-25.
Disney is also bringing back the saga of The Lion King to theaters later this year with a new theatrical feature. The photoreal CG movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, will be hitting theaters on December 20. The upcoming prequel returns to the Pride Lands, as Rafiki tells Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, the story of her grandfather, Mufasa, and how he became the king of the Pride Lands.
About Disney’s The Lion King 30th Anniversary: A Live-to-Film Concert Event
Release Date: May 24-May 25, 2024
Distribution: Disney
Production: Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, Live Nation-Hewitt Silva & Hollywood Bowl, AMP Worldwide
Cast: Sarah Hicks (Conductor), Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and special guest Jennifer Hudson
Synopsis: Brought to the stage from the Producers of Disney’s Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl and Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva. Disney celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the animated “The Lion King” with an immersive live-to-film concert event featuring the original 1994 film roaring from the Bowl screens, live orchestra, fireworks, showstopping vocal performances of award-winning songs from the film, special celebrity guests, including cast members from both the classic 1994 animated and 2019 films: Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, plus special guest Jennifer Hudson…and more to be announced! And for the first time ever at the Hollywood Bowl, select performances from the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical!
Are you excited for the 30th anniversary of The Lion King? Do you plan to attend the concert? What is your favorite part of the franchise? Let us know on The Illuminerdi’s social media!
SOURCE: The Hollywood Bowl
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