Disney Theatrical Productions and Fifth Third Bank Broadway Across America - Columbus are presenting the long-awaited return of Disney's The Lion King from Aug. 28-Sept. 28.

Tickets went on sale Feb. 14 and are available at Ticketmaster outlets, at 614-431-3600 or at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Tickets can also be purchased at the Broadway Across America - Columbus box office, 10 W. Broad St. 

Columbus' most eagerly awaited stage production will return to the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., for a limited engagement of five weeks. This United States tour is currently one of nine productions running worldwide along with New York, a second U.S. tour, London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Paris and Fukuoka.

Now in its second sold-out decade on Broadway, The Lion King is the winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical; eight Drama Desk awards; six Outdoor Critics Circle awards; the New York Drama Critics award for best musical; the Evening Standard Award for the Theatrical Event of the Year; two Olivier awards; a Theatre World Award; the Astaire Award for outstanding choreography; two Drama League awards; and a Grammy.

Director Julie Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for best musical. Taymor, along with Michael Curry, created hundreds of masks and puppets for The Lion King.

Choreography is by Garth Fagan; scenic design is by Richard Hudson; costume design is by Taymor; and lighting design is by Donald Holder. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated film, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.

The score features music by Elton John and Tim Rice, along with three new songs by John and Rice that weren't featured in the animated film, as well as additional material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Taymor and Hans Zimmer.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.