The story of The Lion King is one of a young lion prince living in the thriving African Pride Lands. As a cub born into the royal family, Simba spends his days exploring the vast grasslands and idolizing his kingly father, Mufasa, and while smart beyond his years also youthfully avoiding the responsibility which comes with his position in life. When a devastating tragedy, brought about by Simba’s wicked uncle Scar, is responsible for his father’s death, Simba flees his homeland, leaving his loss and the life he knew behind him. Along the way, Simba makes two hilarious and unlikely friends, and starts his life anew. Eventually, between the weight of what he knows is his calling and a desperate plea from the now ravaged Pride Lands, Simba must battle a formidable adversary, and fulfill his destiny to become king.

A vibrant and exciting tale from the greats at Disney, The Lion King is a story of love and redemption no family should miss. A lively stage interpretation of the Academy Award-winning 1994 Disney film and winner of six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Lion King’s pulsating award-winning score and innovative puppetry vividly bring the classic story of Simba and the animals of the African Pride Lands to life.

The Lion King debuted July 8, 1997, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum Theatre, and was an immediate success before premiering on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater in previews on October 15, 1997, before officially opening on November 13, 1997. On June 13, 2006, in order to make way for the musical version of Mary Poppins, The Lion King was moved to the Minskoff Theatre where it remains to this day as Broadway's ninth longest-running show in history.

With pulsing music driven by primal African rhythms and unforgettable tunes such as Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and awe-inspiring displays of exotic African wildlife brought to life onstage, there is no further explanation needed as to why The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998.

Keep in mind that Simba’s eerie journey into an elephant graveyard and the death of his father can be a bit unsettling to younger viewers, but no more so than in the original film. If the kids had no problem with the movie, then there is no reason that everyone cannot see it live, especially since Disney productions of any type can always be relied upon as family friendly entertainment.

With its intensely physical stage work and countless visual surprises holding your attention from start to finish, tickets for the whole family to see The Lion King at the Minskoff Theatre in New York are a must, especially as a gift or outing for the holiday season.