In the know: 'Lion King' fix
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
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In the know: 'Lion King' tix
Tickets to Disney's "The Lion King," which opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 15 with the first of two preview performances at Blaisdell Concert Hall, now are on sale — but only for groups of 20 or more or with a hotel package through Outrigger Enterprises. Single ticket sales will start in April.
A second preview show is set for 1 p.m. Sept. 16. The first wave of the regular run will be from Sept. 27 to Oct. 28, with likely extensions in November and December.
Prices vary:
Reservations: group sales, 593-2468; hotel packages, (866) 721-4221; in-person group sales, Hawaii Opera Theatre box office, 987 Waimanu St.
Jack Eldon, vice president of touring for Disney Theatricals, said the Blaisdell Concert Hall must be reconfigured to maximize the ultimate "Lion King" experience. Thus, about 200 seats will be removed from the 2,100 in place so that the show's oversized puppets of animals and actors clad as jungle creatures can move from the back of the auditorium to the stage for the awesome "Circle of Life" opening sequence.
WestCoast Entertainment, headed by Jack G. Lucas, is presenting the Tony Award-winning Best Musical in its Hawai'i premiere. The Cheetah Company, one of two touring national companies, will be the one performing here, he said.
The show features a cast of 40 performing songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, including the Oscar-winning "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from the original animated film. Julie Taymor's direction earned her a Tony Award in 1998.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.
