Though a spokesperson for Walt Disney Theatricals told both Variety and Playbill On-Line (Apr. 8) that "negotiations were underway but there are no firm plans yet," Variety reports that The Lion King will be produced in Tokyo at an as-yet-undetermined venue this autumn. Julie Taymor has allegedly been tapped to direct the show, as she did on Broadway. Taymor will also bring The Lion King to London, Variety reports, June 1999. She's apparently in the West End selecting a theatre for the lavish musical.
Rumor also has it the show will reach Toronto in 1999, with negotiations underway for the Princess of Wales Theatre as the possible venue.
The Lion King continues to be a monster hit at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, grossing $800,528 for the week ending Mar. 22.
