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NYTimes.com: After nearly 17 years of performances in New York, “The Lion King” is still frequently the top-grossing show on Broadway each week, as it was last week. But now the musical holds the global box-office record as well.
It is a bit surprising that after such a long run, Lion King suddenly became that popular that quickly. But it does make sense when you think about it. Although I haven't seen the show, from what I have seen, it's designed in such a way that there are so many specific details that no theatergoer can spot all of them in one go. Specifically in the costumes. It is designed to be one of those shows where people have to come back in order to get the full experience. This compared to Wicked and Book of Mormon which don't really force their audiences to return to get the full experience.
I have never see the theatrical production of the Lion King, but I have heard amazing reviews and I've always wanted to see it. It's great that it so many people are going to the theatre still, and that so many of them will come back again and again. It frustrates me, but makes total sense, that they raise the ticket prices when most people want to get tickets. But it's great that so people will still go regardless, and I would argue most of them are glad to give the theatre the extra monetary support.
Lion King is amazing, but I would have never guess that its has grossed over 6.2 billion worldwide. 6.2 billion, there is no possible way for me to ever be capable of grasping this number. Phantom has grossed over 6 billion. I guess I never was aware of how much money a show can make. The Lion King is amazing, bringing audiences something they have never seen before. The movement of the charters is like no other piece of theatre and the actors completely dissolve into their representational forms. Love this show and I'm glad that its still going strong.
Some of the comments are surprised that The Lion King is so successful, I am actually more surprised that people are so surprised. It is an immensely popular show that will continue to get audiences. It is a show for everyone and will always have people who want to go see it. I had the pleasure of seeing the Broadway Production when I was about seven, I went with family and the ages ranged from 7-50. Some of the group had already seen it and was going back for more. $6.2 Billion is a lot of money but if there was a show I would had to guess made that much The Lion King would definitely be one.
Lion King is, a musical for the generations. Everything in its spectacle accounts for why it has done so well over the years. I saw the production a few years ago about back in 2004. My family and I managed to get orchestra seats, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Come December my parents have already bought tickets to see the Lion King again so I’ve got something to look forward to. The Phantom of the Opera is a longstanding musical, but where the Lion King makes up in box office, I believe, is how relative the show is. Everyone in my generation I feel, has a strong connection with it. It’s a production that will be as timeless as the Phantom itself. To think that those shows bring in that much money is incredible. I believe I’m right to assume that’s from touring groups and other productions besides Broadway. Either which way, the numbers don’t lie, so it might be a little harder for Phantom to reclaim its number one spot.
I am amazed and happy that the lion king is doing so well. I think it was truly a landmark production, especially for disney theatrical. What lion king was able to do that not many other disney broadway shows were able to, was to transform the art and the story. We often talk about in class, whats the best way to tell this story and discuss why so many movies flop when they just recreate the book that they were based on. In terms of lion king, they were uniquely able to take such a classic disney story and elevate it for a broadway audience, while also maintaining the story and charm that makes it widely appealing for the disney family demographic. I believe this is why it has been able to be so successful.
I think its great to hear that the Lion King has reached such a great achievement, I mean, "$6.2 billion worldwide, more than any other show, movie or other work of entertainment" thats extremely impressive. I think this just goes to show that theater is truly a remarkable form of entertainment unlike any other. It has a rhythm and life to it that can't be matched by television or films because of its organic nature that makes every show a new experience. Couple this with a run spam like the Lion King's 17 years and then it seems apparent why theater can be so successful, and has existed in some form since the early days of man.
In addition I think this article works as a counter example to one a few weeks ago, that compared modern theater to lighthouses, arguing that the articulation and form has been replaced with decoration and simple crowd pleasers. While the Lion King is obviously exciting its audiences, the renown surrounding that show makes it clear that there aren't any simple tricks at play, but rather a genuinely invigorating piece of art. With more patrons attending shows this year than last, and news of widely successful shows like this, one thing is clear, if theater really has been heading in the wrong direction, at the very least there is still hope for it yet.
3. It does not surprise me that The Lion King has taken the title from The Phantom of the Opera. By nature, The Lion King is suited to a far wider audience range. The story can relate to children with its fun characters, and it can relate to adults who look more deeply into the Hamlet-inspired story. (Not to mention the word "Opera" being a turn-off for many potential viewers.) Also, The Lion King's design is like no other, captivating anyone with eyes through its brilliant use of space, movement, and scale. Seeing to-scale, moving animals in a stage is one thing, but then to look more closely and see the human acting as engine to the puppet is a whole new brand of genius. It's not too high tech that you need any niche of knowledge to understand the mechanics, and it's just brilliantly simple enough to inspire the professionals.
What an awesome accomplishment! I am, of course, unsurprised; Lion King is a classic that anyone can enjoy. It is always nice to see a good show carrying on (and to have increased attendance!!) in a world where Netflix and YouTube reside. It's interesting to read, too, about the business choices these shows make in increasing seat prices during peak times. Somewhat obvious, I suppose, but still interesting. I wonder what the show will be that beats out The Lion King.
9 comments:
It is a bit surprising that after such a long run, Lion King suddenly became that popular that quickly. But it does make sense when you think about it. Although I haven't seen the show, from what I have seen, it's designed in such a way that there are so many specific details that no theatergoer can spot all of them in one go. Specifically in the costumes. It is designed to be one of those shows where people have to come back in order to get the full experience. This compared to Wicked and Book of Mormon which don't really force their audiences to return to get the full experience.
I have never see the theatrical production of the Lion King, but I have heard amazing reviews and I've always wanted to see it. It's great that it so many people are going to the theatre still, and that so many of them will come back again and again. It frustrates me, but makes total sense, that they raise the ticket prices when most people want to get tickets. But it's great that so people will still go regardless, and I would argue most of them are glad to give the theatre the extra monetary support.
Lion King is amazing, but I would have never guess that its has grossed over 6.2 billion worldwide. 6.2 billion, there is no possible way for me to ever be capable of grasping this number. Phantom has grossed over 6 billion. I guess I never was aware of how much money a show can make. The Lion King is amazing, bringing audiences something they have never seen before. The movement of the charters is like no other piece of theatre and the actors completely dissolve into their representational forms. Love this show and I'm glad that its still going strong.
Some of the comments are surprised that The Lion King is so successful, I am actually more surprised that people are so surprised. It is an immensely popular show that will continue to get audiences. It is a show for everyone and will always have people who want to go see it. I had the pleasure of seeing the Broadway Production when I was about seven, I went with family and the ages ranged from 7-50. Some of the group had already seen it and was going back for more. $6.2 Billion is a lot of money but if there was a show I would had to guess made that much The Lion King would definitely be one.
Lion King is, a musical for the generations. Everything in its spectacle accounts for why it has done so well over the years. I saw the production a few years ago about back in 2004. My family and I managed to get orchestra seats, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. Come December my parents have already bought tickets to see the Lion King again so I’ve got something to look forward to. The Phantom of the Opera is a longstanding musical, but where the Lion King makes up in box office, I believe, is how relative the show is. Everyone in my generation I feel, has a strong connection with it. It’s a production that will be as timeless as the Phantom itself. To think that those shows bring in that much money is incredible. I believe I’m right to assume that’s from touring groups and other productions besides Broadway. Either which way, the numbers don’t lie, so it might be a little harder for Phantom to reclaim its number one spot.
I am amazed and happy that the lion king is doing so well. I think it was truly a landmark production, especially for disney theatrical. What lion king was able to do that not many other disney broadway shows were able to, was to transform the art and the story. We often talk about in class, whats the best way to tell this story and discuss why so many movies flop when they just recreate the book that they were based on. In terms of lion king, they were uniquely able to take such a classic disney story and elevate it for a broadway audience, while also maintaining the story and charm that makes it widely appealing for the disney family demographic. I believe this is why it has been able to be so successful.
I think its great to hear that the Lion King has reached such a great achievement, I mean, "$6.2 billion worldwide, more than any other show, movie or other work of entertainment" thats extremely impressive. I think this just goes to show that theater is truly a remarkable form of entertainment unlike any other. It has a rhythm and life to it that can't be matched by television or films because of its organic nature that makes every show a new experience. Couple this with a run spam like the Lion King's 17 years and then it seems apparent why theater can be so successful, and has existed in some form since the early days of man.
In addition I think this article works as a counter example to one a few weeks ago, that compared modern theater to lighthouses, arguing that the articulation and form has been replaced with decoration and simple crowd pleasers. While the Lion King is obviously exciting its audiences, the renown surrounding that show makes it clear that there aren't any simple tricks at play, but rather a genuinely invigorating piece of art. With more patrons attending shows this year than last, and news of widely successful shows like this, one thing is clear, if theater really has been heading in the wrong direction, at the very least there is still hope for it yet.
3. It does not surprise me that The Lion King has taken the title from The Phantom of the Opera. By nature, The Lion King is suited to a far wider audience range. The story can relate to children with its fun characters, and it can relate to adults who look more deeply into the Hamlet-inspired story. (Not to mention the word "Opera" being a turn-off for many potential viewers.) Also, The Lion King's design is like no other, captivating anyone with eyes through its brilliant use of space, movement, and scale. Seeing to-scale, moving animals in a stage is one thing, but then to look more closely and see the human acting as engine to the puppet is a whole new brand of genius. It's not too high tech that you need any niche of knowledge to understand the mechanics, and it's just brilliantly simple enough to inspire the professionals.
What an awesome accomplishment! I am, of course, unsurprised; Lion King is a classic that anyone can enjoy. It is always nice to see a good show carrying on (and to have increased attendance!!) in a world where Netflix and YouTube reside. It's interesting to read, too, about the business choices these shows make in increasing seat prices during peak times. Somewhat obvious, I suppose, but still interesting. I wonder what the show will be that beats out The Lion King.
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