Originally scheduled to begin previews at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Theatre April 20 with an official opening May 2, the Disney Theatrical Productions musical will now begin May 5 with an opening scheduled for May 15.

The new dates, according to a press release, will "provide additional time for the transformation of Mandalay Bay Theatre to accommodate the spectacular set."

Tickets will go on sale to the public March 14.

Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical — The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe. The Elton John-Tim Rice musical has won over 30 major awards. Those include six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Outer Critics Circle Awards; two Sir Laurence Oliviers; the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event; and three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.

The Lion King currently plays the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. Tickets will be available by visiting Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers, Macy's West at the Fashion Show Mall and Ritmo Latino); by calling the box office at (702) 632-7580 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000; or by logging on to www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com.