The blockbuster Disney musical The Lion King celebrates its 2,000th performance at New York's New Amsterdam Theatre on July 30.

The Tony Award-winning musical, which began previews Oct. 15, 1997, and officially opened Nov. 13, 1997, will also celebrate its fifth anniversary this fall. The cast of the Broadway production currently includes Sheila Gibbs as Rafiki, Samuel E. Wright as Mufasa, Meena T. Jahi as Sarabi, Tony Freeman as Zazu, Derek Smith as Scar, Danny Rutigliano as Timon, Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa, Clifton Oliver as Simba and Sharon L. Young as Nala.

Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman ever to receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical — The Lion King has become an international hit with productions in London, Toronto, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Los Angeles and Hamburg. There is also a U.S. national tour, which is currently making a stop in Houston, Texas.

Worldwide, 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.

Tickets to the Broadway production at the New Amsterdam Theatre (W. 42nd Street) are available by calling The Disney Hotline at (212) 307-4747; go to www.disneyonbroadway.com for more information.