The annual special performance of Disney's The Lion King benefiting the Actors' Fund will net the cause an estimated $147,000. An Actors' Fund spokesperson reports that while the final figures are not in from Disney, the Oct. 3 show was a tremendous success. The Los Angeles production of The Lion King will present it's benefit special performance on Dec. 5 and in New York City, the benefit performance of The Best Man takes place Nov. 19. The Actors' Fund is working on several other shows at this time.

According to long tradition, all Broadway shows under Equity's production contract donate a single performance each year to benefit the Actors' Fund. So far this year, performances have been presented by such shows as Dirty Blonde, Cats, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Moon for the Misbegotten, Saturday Night Fever, Kiss Me Kate, The Price, Waiting in the Wings and James Joyce's The Dead.

Production notes indicate that "the excitement of these performances often surpasses that of an opening night, as casts from other productions have the opportunity to see the show on their night off, and performers in the show get the opportunity to play for an audience full of their peers and celebrities from the entertainment industry." Each company donates their time and talent, and all proceeds go directly to The Actors' Fund.