Disney’s The Lion King and Broadway Grand Rapids are celebrating a record breaking sold-out engagement which ended on Sunday, December 1. The triumphant two-week premiere engagement grossed more than $2.9 million at the box office and entertained more than 35,000 theatergoers. The production, which played 16 performances at DeVos Hall from November 20 through December 1, broke the box office sales record for a two-week touring Broadway engagement in Grand Rapids.

It is estimated that the Grand Rapids engagement of The Lion King generated an economic benefit of more than $9 million to the city from travel, hotels, restaurants, parking and other businesses patronized by both theatergoers and production staff. This figure is based upon a Touring Broadway League report which found that, on average, Broadway tours contribute an economic impact 3.21 times the gross ticket sales to the local metropolitan area’s economy.

“The Lion King was a magical experience!” said Mike Lloyd, Executive Director for Broadway Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids premiere of this wonderful Disney production started our holiday season with warmth and excitement. The theater was packed for every performance. Our audiences were enthralled, mesmerized by the music, the voices, and imaginative staging-- like nothing they had ever seen before. Everyone felt the love!”

Jack Eldon, Vice President, Domestic Touring and Regional Engagements, Disney Theatrical Productions said, “We are overwhelmed by the response to the show and thank the Grand Rapids community and Broadway Grand Rapids for a sensational run.”

And, the hits just keep coming for Broadway Grand Rapids. Up next is Hamilton, January 21 through February 9. That is followed by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, March 10-15, and Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville, May 26-31.

What a season for Grand Rapids!

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