Globe, Visa co-presenters of the Manila tour
TICKETS TO the Manila season of what is labelled as “the world’s No. 1 musical,” Disney’s The Lion King, will be sold to the general public from Nov. 3, 2017, the Michael Cassel Group and the Disney Theatrical Productions announced on Oct. 23.
The Manila premiere of The Lion King on March 18, 2018 is presented by Concertus Manila at The Theatre at Solaire.
The production said, in a statement, that Globe Telecom and Visa are the official sponsoring presenters of the Manila season of The Lion King.
Globe Telecom is honored to announce it will be an instrumental part of the upcoming presentation of The Lion King to the Filipino audiences, senior advisor for Globe’s Creative Marketing and Multimedia Business, and the company’s live productions arm, Globe Live, Joe Caliro, said.
Caliro said the company is committed to having Filipinos experience the best, first-class productions and international phenomenon, such as The Lion King.
“We are thrilled to be part of this collaboration and are looking forward to connecting our customers to this iconic global smash hit,” Caliro said. “This is one production that should not be missed, he said.
“We are privileged to sponsor and support Manila’s first staging of Disney’s The Lion King, which is the most successful single piece of entertainment of all time. Through this partnership, our cardholders will now be able to enjoy early access to tickets when they purchase using their Visa cards,” Stuart Tomlinson, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam, said.
“As part of the Epic Experiences by Visa platform, we will continue to bring cardholders more unique and meaningful experiences in dining, travel, retail, and entertainment in the Philippines,” Tomlinson said.
Globe platinum, Globe postpaid customers, and Visa credit, debit, and prepaid cardholders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to The Lion King before the general public, while also enjoying 10 percent off ticket prices. This special priority booking offer is only for a limited time, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2.
“We are delighted to announce these partnerships with Globe and Visa today. Globe, as the top telecommunications company in the Philippines, and Visa, one of the world’s most recognized brands, are both leaders in their fields and we are excited to be able to share the experience of The Lion King with their customers,” Michael Cassel, producer of the international tour, said.
A talented international cast will star in the landmark musical event which begins performances on March 18, 2018 in Manila at The Theatre at Solaire.
Earlier this month, the full cast for the international tour was named.
The principal cast includes Ntsepa Pitjeng who is returning to the role of “Rafiki”, having performed the role in the US, UK, Brazil, and Switzerland productions.
Direct from London’s West End production is Mthokozisi Emkay Khanyile in the role of ‘Mufasa”.
Also from the UK is music theatre performer Antony Lawrence as “Scar”.
Australian actor Andre Jewson will be featured as “Zazu”; the charismatic New Zealand-born performer Jamie McGregor will play “Timon”, and South African favorite Pierre Van Heerden will return as “Pumbaa”.
Joining the company are six actors from the Philippines.
Sharing the role of Young Simba are Julien Joshua Dolor, Pablo Palacpac, and Juan Gabriel Tiongson.
Alternating in the role of Young Nala are Sheena Bentoy, Uma Martin, and Felicity Napuli.
Completing the principal cast are South African performers Calvyn Grandling, playing the much-loved role of “Simba”, the up-and-coming star Noxolo Dlamini as “Nala”, Candida Mosoma who returns to the role of “Shenzi”, Bjorn Blignaut as “Banzai”, and Mark Tatham as “Ed”.
Members of The Lion King ensemble include Ricardo Baez, Dayan Kingsley Beukes, Tertia Coetzee-Dippenaar, Viridiana Cortés, Felipe Flores, Jabulani Gambu, Liso Gcwabe, Sheila Maria Hernandez, Phumelele Jili, Christine Kapswarah, Amanda Kunene, Sfiso Matlala, Lungile Mkhize, Fumane Moeketsi, Noluyanda Mqulwana, Zodwa Mrasi, Lwazi Mzimase, Zolina Ngejane, Thato Nkwe, Thabani Ntuli, Peace Nzirawa, Nonofo Olekeng, Khanyisani Shoba, Phumelele Sikhakhane, Romy Jo Swales, Clifford Tlomatsana, Vuyelwa Tshona, Tlholo Tsotetsi, Benn Welford, Zi-Rong Wu, Daniel Guerrero Zazueta, Monde Zondi, and Sandile Zondi.
The Lion King international tour will also go to Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa.
Now on its 20th year, The Lion King is one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.
Since its Broadway premiere on Nov. 13, 1997, 24 global productions have been seen by more than 90 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is the only show to generate six productions worldwide running 15 or more years.
Performed in eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese), productions of The Lion King are running on Broadway, in London’s West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Sapporo, Madrid, Mexico City, Shanghai; Scheveningen, Holland; and on tour across North America, for a total of 10 productions running concurrently across the globe.
Having been mounted in more than 100 cities in 19 countries in every continent, except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show, or other entertainment title in box office history.
The Lion King has won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan), and Best Direction of a Musical.
The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design.
The show’s director, costume designer, and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.
The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.
Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and make-up design), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor), and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor).
Anne Quart serves as co-producer.
For further information about The Lion King Manila season and to sign up for tickets, please visit TheLionKing.ph or www.ticketworld.com; 891-99-99.
Ibarra C. Mateo 