THE LION KING premiered on Broadway in 1997 and has since become the third-longest-running musical on Broadway and the first to hit the $1 billion mark at the box office. The North American tour is an equally grand theatrical achievement, having welcomed over 20 million theatergoers in more than 80 cities.The six-time Tony Award-winning production features direction by Julie Taymor, music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, and choreography by Garth Fagan. For over two decades, the touring production's visual tapestry has enchanted audiences across North America and continues to be a "must-see" live event, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.