The Lion King to open a new sit down production in Toronto!

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/21/23 at 10:21pm

According to the Mirvish instagram it will open next November:

“In an unprecedented coup, Toronto will become the 1st city in North America to have a 2nd sit-down production of Disney’s The Lion King. The original Canadian production of the multi-award-winning internationally celebrated musical opened in Toronto in March 2000 to critical acclaim and sold-out houses and played 1,567 performances. The new production will begin November 2, 2024 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.”

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 12:42pm

Begs the question,

 

What was the original Toronto production like in terms of staging? True to broadway? And will this new sit down be reusing a tour set, or using the broadway set with raking stage / trap doors? 

[windowwaving]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 1:10pm

If Shanghai is any indication, which I believe was the last sit down production staged, it will be closer to the tour version with the sliding Pride Rock rather than from below the stage. 

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 1:49pm

windowwaving said: "If Shanghai is any indication, which I believe was the last sit down production staged, it will be closer to the tour version with the sliding Pride Rock rather than from below the stage."

I mean, the possibility for a below the stage Pride Rock is there, as Lion King played the same theatre when it was the sit down before.

[all_that_jazz]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 2:04pm

Originally since we were only the second production of the show we had the full broadway production...the rising pride rock, all the bells and whistles.  If I had to place bets I would say they most likely will grab a tour set and call it a day.

[BETTY22]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 4:15pm

After 20 years it is still the biggest show on Broadway. WOW

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 6:41pm

all_that_jazz said: "Originally since we were only the second production of the show we had the full broadway production...the rising pride rock, all the bells and whistles. If I had to place bets I would say they most likely will grab a tour set and call it a day."


That’s my feeling also. But would be nice to be surprised. 

[Tag]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 9:25pm

Toronto will be using the recently closed UK touring set (closed in Dublin a little over a week ago).

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 10:55pm

I’m curious why Wicked never did a sit down in Toronto.

[Phantom4ever]

Posted: 11/22/23 at 11:32pm

BETTY22 said: "After 20 years it is still the biggest show on Broadway. WOW"

Even with all the cuts?

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 9:02am

I’m curious why they’re using the Princess of Wales instead of the CAA Ed Mirvish; the PoW has more seats and I would assume they’d want that for touring shows, especially considering Six and then CFA have the Royal Alex for the foreseeable future. Maybe I’m also bitter because I find the sight lines (for short people at least) at the Ed Mirvish since the renovation much poorer than at the PoW.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 9:33am

forfivemoreminutes said: "Maybe I’m also bitter because I find the sight lines (for short people at least) at the Ed Mirvish since the renovation much poorer than at the PoW."

Are you referencing the renovation to the Mirvish that happened for 'Cursed Child'? Did they not undue all that after it closed? I haven't been inside since it was the Pantages with Phantom playing.

[Tag]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 11:12am

The PoW is historically where the show has played while in Toronto, so it makes sense for it to return there. The Ed Mirvish is still in the Harry Potter configuration (side boxes covered, rear mezz blocked off, and a centre aisle in the orchestra - the HP decor was obviously taken out).  The Ed Mirvish with the centre aisle currently doesn't work for Circle of Life, and also the back of house logistics to have the cast/animals enter from the lobby would be a nightmare there.  The PoW has much easier access for that.

[Timon3]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 11:56am

I thought Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas had sit down productions?

The Lion King on stage is the most successful piece of entertainment ever, grossing $7.000.000.000.

[Tag]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 12:34pm

Timon3 said: "I thought Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas had sit down productions?

The Lion King on stage is the most successful piece of entertainment ever, grossing $7.000.000.000."

They have. This announcement is notable because it is the second sit-down in Toronto. The previous one played 2000-2004.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 1:35pm

Tag said: "The Ed Mirvish is still in the Harry Potter configuration (side boxes covered, rear mezz blocked off, and a centre aisle in the orchestra - the HP decor was obviously taken out). "

That is sad to hear. I looked up some recent photos on instagram to see the current look of the Mirvish. I can understand keeping the rear mezz blocked off as most shows don't need the capacity, and those seats feel VERY far from the stage, but I don't understand keeping the Cursed Child color scheme and box seat additions. It worked for Cursed, but looks odd and out of place now. Did Cursed Child not agree to pay for returning the theatre to its previous (classic) look?

[forfivemoreminutes]

Posted: 11/23/23 at 5:12pm

FANtomFollies said: "forfivemoreminutes said: "Maybe I’m also bitter because I find the sight lines (for short people at least) at the Ed Mirvish since the renovation much poorer than at the PoW."

Are you referencing the renovation to the Mirvish that happened for 'Cursed Child'? Did they not undue all that after it closed? I haven't been inside since it was the Pantages with Phantom playing."

They've kept the new seating arrangement with one single aisle in the middle and then just left and right orchestra sections. I have no idea why, since the renovation required removing hundreds of seats and the sight lines are now substantially worse on or near the aisles. I was just there this week for To Kill A Mockingbird and was greatly disappointed.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 11/24/23 at 6:55am

Twenty years since the first Toronto sit-down closed, and almost 30 since the show premiered. As longtime TLK fan, I’m really looking forward to seeing a new cast and having an excuse for a trip!

[theaterdude2]

Posted: 11/24/23 at 10:26am

I'm surprised so many on this thread are believing this pathetic hype. Who needs another Lion King?

With Mirvish's close ties to the UK, the entire theatre community here started guessing, hoping for something new and exciting. Would it be a current West End hit like when they brought the pre-Bway tryout of "& Juliet" to town? What would it be? Jamie Lloyd's much talked about production of Sunset Boulevard? The new hit revival of Guys and Dolls? Perhaps a Canadian production of Broadway's MJ, or even a visit from a Sweeney Todd tour? What could it be? Especially after the recent flop of "In Dreams"  And it's no secret that the nearby Buffalo NY gets big shows A LOT faster than Toronto does. Mirvish presented Jagged Little Pill after it had been on the road for a year, same with the Tina Turner musical. Can you remember when "Tina" was on the Tony's? It was 2020!

So they announce a new sit down production of The Lion King. The announcement states that it's a first for a North American city to have a new sit down production of a title for the second time, something someone here even wrote about, as if its actually a big deal. (Apologies to the Lion King fans)
They even got Toronto's Mayor Olivia Chow on stage to give the production her blessing and discuss the economic impact the show will have on the city.

All that is great, but theatregoers were excited about something new and that's one thing that the Lion King isn't. It is just another great example of the monopoly Mirvish has on the city. We are grateful for them, but when you're the only game in town, you get things like old tours past their due date - and a revival of The Lion King.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 11/24/23 at 4:07pm

Well hopefully it gets Julie Taylor directly attached to it and not like a assistant. 

[Tag]

Posted: 11/24/23 at 5:42pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Well hopefully it gets Julie Taylor directly attached to it and not like a assistant."

It will not be Julie.  It has been an associate/assistant pretty much ever since the original production.

[Listener]

Posted: 11/25/23 at 8:13pm

I am disappointed it's Lion King, to be honest. It's already had a sit-down and it would have been much more exciting for it to be another show. I don't think people really care much about Lion King at this point. The costumes are great, the staging is great...and...?

If you could have wished a different show to get a Toronto sit-down, which would you choose?