The Cheetah Company, one of two national touring productions, is rewriting the theatrical books with the engagement, which could be the first of many Disney musicals to play here in the years ahead.

Jack Eldon, vice president of touring for Disney Theatricals, was here for the announcement, along with Gugwana Dlamini, who will play baboon sharman Rafiki.

Dlamini was plucked from the tour's Omaha stop to perform live and in full costume during the press conference.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who saw the production on Broadway several years ago, said he helped woo the show here.

Hannemann said the national touring show's decision to make Honolulu one of its stops can help define Honolulu as "a world-class city."

WestCoast Entertainment is the presenter. Outrigger Enterprises Group is the presenting sponsor. The hotel group plans to offer hotel packages that will enable out-of-towners and Neighbor Islanders to put theater on their agenda.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow, priced from $30 to $85, but only for group sales of 20 or more, or via hotel packages purchased through Outrigger Enterprises.

General sales will not begin till April.