The Lion King at Orpheum Theatre San Francisco

lion king at orpheum theatreAll hail The Lion King in this exhilarating and visually stunning epic! One of Broadway’s longest-running musicals is making its phenomenal return in San Francisco, and it’s set to blow you away with its groundbreaking music and award-winning scenic and puppet design! The Lion King, winner of eight Drama Desk Awards and five Tony Awards, will be taking over the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco! From November 22 to December 30, 2023, the touring production will deliver multiple coveted performances at the top-tier auditorium! The Lion King has reportedly been enjoyed by over 112 million people worldwide, and it continues to break barriers and capture the hearts and minds of viewers! So, if you’re keen on seeing this fantastic story by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi and enjoying the incredible music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, it’s time to get moving and score tickets to this award-winning musical! Access to the shows at the Orpheum Theatre San Francisco are now available through the Get Tickets link!

The Lion King Tickets:

“Beautiful and spectacular!” – New York, John Simon

“Breathtaking beauty and scenic ingenuity!” – New York Times

“A marvel, a theatrical achievement!” – Variety

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Unless you live under a rock, you probably know the plot of this amazing show. The Lion King is a musical adaptation of the 1994 Walt Disney classic of the same name. It brings the epic film to life by providing audiences with a 360 experience! The Lion King is a trailblazing showcase that has captivated its viewers and impressed industry peers. Sure, we already know the story of the beloved King Mufasa and his son, Simba. This coming-of-age epic is a retelling of the 1994 film. It’s a story about fatherhood, family, betrayal, and fulfilling your destiny. In this musical, we’ll see Simba run away to far away jungle after the murder of his father, Mufasa. But seeing Simba take his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands will always be satisfying. 

The Lion King is the archetype of innovation in theater. The musical is directed by Julie Taymor, but the acclaimed director also led the costume, mask, and puppetry design with Michael Curry. The planning and designing phase took years, but the resulting work is a jaw-dropping visual presentation that viewers will not see in any other musical. The intricate puppets, breathtaking costumes, amazing scenic design, and trailblazing lighting design take audiences on an awesome journey to Africa, where animals are free to roam the pride lands. 

Aside from the impressive visual artistry, The Lion King provides an outstanding aural experience. The songs are well-known and not something we haven’t heard before. But with the help of Lebo M, Mark Macina, Kay Rifkin, Hans Zimmer, and Tsidii Le Loka, the well-known Disney hits are given a brilliant refresher with authentic African music influences. This rearrangement will make audiences feel like they’re hearing the music for the first time – making their time with The Lion King musical a spectacular aural and visual experience.  

If you’ve seen the film, you can anticipate the captivating hits that conquered the ‘90s. The soundtrack includes beloved numbers, such as “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata,” and the fan favorite, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

lion king broadway

The Lion King musical premiered on Broadway in 1997. The show, led by the award-winning director Julie Taymor, brought in the most talented creatives in the circuit. The outstanding creative and brilliant cast gave stellar performances, and their exemplary work later led to multiple awards and nominations. One year after its premiere, The Lion King reigned supreme at the Drama Desk Awards and Tony Awards. The production won the most coveted prize, the Tony Award for Best Musical, while Julie Taymor won Best Direction of a Musical and Garth Fargan won Best Choreography. The musical also bagged Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Lighting Design – coming out as the big winner for the 1998 Tony Awards. If you think that is impressive, then wait until you find out how many awards The Lion King won at the Drama Desk Awards! Even if the production didn’t come home with Outstanding Musical that night, The Lion King still came out as the big winner – taking home eight awards that night. 

Aside from prestigious accolades, The Lion King has proudly garnered numerous rave reviews from critics.  Greg Evans from Variety had nothing but good words for the 1997 production. “Leaping far beyond its celluloid inspiration, the stage version improves upon nearly every aspect of the hit 1994 animated film, from visual artistry and storytelling to Lebo M’s score and the newly African-ized pop songs of Elton John and Tim Rice.” Meanwhile, the New York Times commends the musical for its “scenic ingenuity” and “eye-popping conviction.” The writer, Ben Brantley, was also quick to add that the show offers a refreshing and more sophisticated alternative to the standard panoply of special effects. “Seen purely as a visual tapestry, there is simply nothing else like it,” Brantley added.

“The Lion King can make you fall in love with theater no matter what theater it’s in.” – Entertainment Weekly.

orpheum theatre lion king tickets

Since its premiere, The Lion King has grossed over $8 Billion, and it is now recorded to be the third-longest-running musical in history. Moreover, the musical has traveled across the world, including North America, Mexico, South America, the U.K., Australia, Africa, and Asia. This 2023 to 2024 season, The Lion King once again travels across North America, hitting major cities over the course of several months. This fall, The Lion King will make its highly-awaited return to San Francisco and take over the Orpheum Theatre for several weeks. 

Attendees in San Francisco can look forward to the ultimate entertainment experience when they catch The Lion King at the Orpheum Theatre. The venue is equipped to host the musical’s groundbreaking scenic design, puppetry, and out-of-this-world music. Audiences will enjoy top-tier visuals and clear, crisp sound thanks to the venue’s modern sound and light technology. Moreover, guests can enjoy the venue’s excellent facilities, terrific customer service, and great accessibility! Only a top-notch venue can host this massively amazing production. Thankfully, the Orpheum Theatre is one of Califonia’s top destinations for entertainment! Hurry and secure tickets now to see The Lion King at the Orpheum Theatre! You can now select your preferred dates by clicking on the Get Tickets link!