Opened in 1973
Located on the third floor of a 55-story office tower, the Minskoff opened in 1973. The theatre, with a spectacular view of the Great White Way, derives its name from Sam Minskoff and Sons, builders and owners of the high-rise that houses it, who run it with the Nederlander Organization. The theatre is currently home to The Lion King, which opened at the New Amsterdam and transferred to the Minskoff in 2006.
Reserve a spot using SpotHero: https://spothero.com
Restrooms are located on the Orchestra and Mezzanine levels.
Coat check is available. No luggage or bags.
In the alley between 45th and 46th to the left as you exit the main entrance.
Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway. For other hotel recommendations, read our article on the Best Hotels Near Broadway!
The Tony Award winning phenomenon The Lion King continues to captivate audiences. It has played for over 25 years on Broadway - see it at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City!
Based on the beloved 1994 Disney film, The Lion King transports the audience to the African savanna and follows Simba, a young lion who flees his home after his uncle Scar tricks him to believe that he caused his father, King Mufasa’s death. With the help of his friends Timon and Pumbaa, he returns home as an adult to take back his homeland and become the rightful heir to the throne and restore balance to the Pride Lands.
With a score by the legendary Elton John and Tim Rice, including iconic songs such as “The Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” The Lion King is brought to life by director Julie Taymor, who became the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for her groundbreaking use of visuals and puppetry. The production also features a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi who worked on the original film.
The show's stunning visuals are brought to life with costumes by Julie Taymor, scenic design by Richard Hudson, lighting design by Donald Holder, and sound design by Tony Meola.
Get your Broadway tickets now to experience The Lion King and see the show that has been wowing millions in New York and around the world!
In the Press:
“There is simply nothing else like it” - The New York Times
“Julie Taymor's staging of Disney's "The Lion King" is a marvel, a theatrical achievement unrivaled in its beauty, brains and ingenuity.” - Variety
FAQ
Did The Lion King win any awards?
Yes! The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honor.
The Lion King has also received over 70 major awards from productions around the world including the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, 2 Laurence Olivier Awards (London), 3 Molière Awards (France), and 4 Helpmann Awards (Australia). The Lion King also features the iconic, award winning songs by Elton John and Tim Rice!
Is there a Dress Code?
There is no dress code at the theater. For all performances, attire should be comfortable and appropriate for the occasion!
What Subway stops are near the Minskoff Theatre?
Times Square 42nd Street: N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3, 7, A, C, E
42nd Street Bryant Park: B, D, F, M
Buses Include: M20, M34, M104, M42
Is there parking nearby?
Parking is notoriously difficult in New York City, and Times Square is one of the most crowded areas. Check out Icon Parking, Spothero, and Edison Parkfast for information on nearby spots and garages, And be prepared to pay $20-$30 hourly.
Is there a The Lion King cast recording?
Yes! The Lion King Original Broadway Cast recording written by Elton John and Tim Rice, can be purchased on CD and is also available on streaming!
Where can I get The Lion King show merch?
Official merchandise for The Lion King can be purchased in person at the Minskoff Theater when you see the show, online at playbill.com, or at the Official Disney Store!
I don't live in New York City. Can I see The Lion King in a city near me?
Yes! The Lion King is currently on tour across North America, check out dates and venues here! You can also see The Lion King around the world. The musical is currently running in Toronto, London, Spain, France, Germany, Japan, and Brazil. Additional information on global productions can be found here!
Is There a Nearby Restaurant?
There are many dining options near the theater. Some popular choices include Carmine's, Sardi's, and Junior's Restaurant! And kids love Ellen’s Stardust Diner, which pairs classic diner dishes with singing waiters.
What else should I know?
Based on the 1994 Academy Award Winning animated film of the same name, The Lion King officially opened in New York on Broadway on November 13, 1997 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The book was written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, who were also respectively one of the directors and writers of the film, along with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, with additional music and lyrics written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer.
The Lion King was directed by Julie Taymor (who also designed the costumes, as well as the masks and puppets with Michael Currey) and featured Choreography by Garth Fagan, Scenic Design by Richard Hudson, Lighting Design by Donald Holder, and Hair & Makeup Design by Michael Ward.
The original Broadway cast included John Vickery as Scar, Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki, Samuel E. Wright as Mufasa, Jason Raize as Simba, Heather Headley as Nala, Scott Irby-Ranniar as Young Simba, Kajuana Shuford as Young Nala, Max Casella as Timon, Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa, and Geoff Hoyle as Zazu.
The Lion King was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won 6 including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for Julie Taymor, making her the first woman to win that award.
In 2006, The Lion King moved to the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway where it has continued to run over 8,500 performances. The Lion King is the highest grossing Broadway production of all time, having grossed almost $2 billion on Broadway, and over $8 billion worldwide.
The Lion King has been performed in over 100 cities in 21 countries, on every continent except Antarctica, and has been translated into 9 languages.
Who Should See The Lion King ?
The Lion King is beloved by audiences of all ages and is perfect for families. Get your Broadway tickets to see The Lion King today, and experience the Disney magic!
The best views will be in the center orchestra and front mezzanine, but there are very few bad seats in this theater.
1621 seats
Wheelchair accessible seating is located in the orchestra section. No steps to designated seating location.
Yes, the Minskoff Theatre is equipped with wheelchair accessible restrooms on the theatre’s Orchestra and Mezzanine levels. They can be accessed via a main lobby elevator that is strictly designated for guests with disabilities.
The Minksoff Theatre offers assisted listening devices and on-demand closed captions and pre-recorded audio description through the use of I-Caption devices and through the GalaPro App on your personal device.
When to arrive: Doors open roughly a half hour before showtime. Give yourself plenty of time to pick up tickets and find your seats. What to wear: Whatever makes you comfortable! Some people dress up for the theater, but there is no official dress code. Children under 2 are not permitted in the theater.
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