'The Lion King' plays 10,000th Broadway performance

The Disney musical, which celebrated its 25th anniversary on Broadway in November 2022, is only the third show in history to reach this performance milestone.

The circle of life continues! The Lion King on Broadway celebrated its 10,000th performance on Saturday, May 6 at the Minskoff Theatre, just over 25 years after its Broadway premiere.

The Lion King is only the third show in Broadway history to achieve this milestone, following Chicago in June 2022 and the now-closed The Phantom of the Opera in February 2012.

The Disney musical has been on Broadway since November 1997, telling the story of a young lion cub who must defeat his evil uncle to take his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands, succeeding his father.

The Lion King won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction and Costume Design for Julie Taymor, whose unique incorporation of wildlife puppetry into the costume design remains unique on Broadway.

A 20th-anniversary review of The Lion King on New York Theatre Guide reads, "It is no wonder that sold out audiences continue to flock to the Minskoff Theatre 8 times a week, bringing their own legacy of family members that keep this fable alive. The score still maintains its variety of gifts, especially the songs rooted in the African tradition."

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