NEW YORK, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Since Disney's "The Lion King" opened on Broadway Nov. 13, 1997, 45 million people have seen the musical in productions throughout the world.
The show, which has grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Broadway with a gala performance Sunday at the Minskoff Theatre.
The musical has remained among the top five selling shows on Broadway for 10 years and is also performed in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Paris and by two touring companies throughout the United States.
"'The Lion King' has touched lives all over the world, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone," Thomas Schumacher, a producer for Disney Theatrical Group, said in a statement.
"We knew Julie Taymor was the only person for the job. Not only did Julie make 'The Lion King' a Broadway and theatrical phenomenon, she went on to make Broadway history herself as the first woman to ever win a Tony Award for directing a musical."
Schumacher said Disney is still proud of the show 10 years later.
"Not only does it open the hearts and minds of everyone who sees it, it has had an enormous impact on the communities it reaches," he said.
