The LION KING live concert at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner and more

The thirtieth anniversary of the original version of the animated film The Lion King will be celebrated at the Hollywood Bowl next month with a live concert/screening featuring cast members from both the theatrical and theatrical versions and beyond, including Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Eichner, Ernie Sabella, Jason Tessitore AND Bradley GIbson.

“Disney The Lion King 30th Anniversary – A Live-to-Film Concert Event” will feature a full orchestra performing Hans Zimmer’s Oscar-winning score for the 1994 classic, conducted by Sarah Hicks. But the long queue that the film projected will also be part of the celebration.

The cast members who will sing the musical numbers written for the film by Elton John and Tim Rice will come from the reign of the hit Broadway adaptation that began in 1998 and the 2019 film remake, as well as the initial film.

The shows will take place at the Bowl May 24-25 and will be produced by Disney Concerts, Fulwell 73 Productions, AMP Worldwide and Live Nation-Hewitt Silva.

General on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster, while pre-sale for American Express cardholders begins Tuesday at 10 a.m.

More popular artists will be announced, concert officials said. The other performers will come from current versions of the stage production, as well as a full choir. The costumes, sets and puppets will also be borrowed from the Broadway/touring version.

The event precedes the release, scheduled for December 20, of a prequel by Walt Disney Studios, Mufasa: The Lion Kingwhich, like the 2019 version, is described as “live-action” (which, in this case, means a particularly photorealistic type of animation, not actual singing lions).

Eichner will reprise his role as Timon from the remake five years ago in the upcoming prequel; Barry Jenkins he is directing.

via: Variety