Lion King Broadway NYC: all you need to know about the musical

Who hasn’t hummed the song ‘Hakuna Matata’ from the film The Lion King at some point? Now you have the chance to hear it again in the Broadway show, at one of the most impressive theatres in the world. Because going to see a musical is an experience you simply must have at least once in your life. I can assure you, you’ll want to go again!

The production of The Lion King is one of Broadway’s finest musicals, having captivated over 100 million theatregoers worldwide. It has been roaring for over two decades with Simba taking to the stage on Broadway, New York’s theatre mecca, where it has become a true classic.

If you’ve already decided to see the most acclaimed show of all time – whether you’re travelling alone or with your family – in this article I’ll explain how to get tickets at the best price to see the musical “The Lion King” on Broadway.

** Ticket prices for The Lion King** usually start at around €90–120 if you book in advance and choose side seats, upper tiers or seats with less central views. If you want a more balanced seat, with a good view of the stage and the production, tickets typically cost between €150 and €220, depending on the date.

Central and prime seats can easily exceed €250–300, especially at weekends or on dates in high demand. You don’t need to choose the most expensive ticket to enjoy the musical, but it’s best to avoid buying at the last minute if you want to get good value for money.

Prices also vary significantly depending on the time of year. At Christmas in New York, on long weekends, during school holidays and at weekends, even the cheapest tickets can rise to around €130–170 or more. If you’re travelling on those dates, book as early as possible; if you’re flexible, compare different performances, as it’s usually easier to find better prices on weekdays.

Save money: buy your tickets in advance

The most important tip I can give you for saving money on tickets for The Lion King is to buy them online and as far in advance as possible. It’s similar to booking a flight to New York. If demand is high and there are few seats left, the price of the flight will go up, whereas on days with few passengers, ticket prices will go down. Well, it works exactly the same way with this musical. Generally speaking, the closer you get to the performance date, the higher the price goes.

You should also bear in mind that this musical, inspired by the African savannah, is the quintessential Broadway show. If you try to buy tickets at the box office, it could take hours to secure them, and you’ll likely only be left with the seats furthest away and with the poorest view. You’ve been warned.

Save time: avoid the long queues at one of the world’s most famous theatres

What’s the advantage of buying online? You’ll avoid endless queues on Broadway, which you’ll be particularly grateful for in winter when it’s cold in the Big Apple. That way, all you’ll have to do is sing along to ‘Hakuna Matata’ from the comfort of your seat – which you’ll have secured at the best price and with much better visibility than if you’d bought it at the last minute.

Here are the two categories of seats available, from the cheapest to the most expensive:

• Mezzanine: if you’re looking for good-value tickets, this is the option for you. This area is on the first floor of the theatre and is cheaper than the main auditorium. Don’t worry, though, as the front-row seats also offer a great panoramic view of the stage.
• Orchestra: on the other hand, if you’re looking for something more exclusive and want a first-class experience – because, as the song says, ‘you only live once’ – this is the place for you. This section is in the main auditorium, directly in front of the stage, and offers the best views in the whole theatre.

Generally speaking, The Lion King has eight performances a week at the Minskoff Theatre. Performances usually take place from Tuesday to Sunday, with more than one show on some days, particularly on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays. Mondays are usually a day off.

The show lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re planning to combine the musical with dinner, a visit to Times Square or any other plans in the area.

As a general guide, there are usually evening performances on weekdays and matinees or early afternoon performances at the weekend. However, timings may vary depending on the season, public holidays or availability, so it’s best to always check the exact time of your performance before booking.

The Minskoff Theatre is located at 200 West 45th Street (on the corner of 45th Street and Broadway). Personally, I think the easiest way to get there is by underground. Several lines stop nearby, including the N, Q, R and W, and the 1, 2 and 3, which stop at Times Square – 42nd Street. You can also take the A, C or E to 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Here are some basic tips to help you find your way around the Underground and make the most of the Big Apple’s fastest form of transport. To start with, I suggest you download the Underground map onto your phone so you always have it to hand. A single ticket costs around €2.60.

The Lion King is a magnificent stage adaptation of the 1994 Oscar-winning Disney film. Is it worth it? Yes, yes and yes. It’s a unique show brimming with family values, which highlights the connection each of us has with our roots – and what better place to see it than where it all began: in New York.

With spectacular staging and music by Elton John, it has won six Tony Awards and an Evening Standard Award. If you’ve seen the film, you’ll know Simba’s story by heart: a lion cub destined to become king of the African savannah, whose evil uncle Scar seeks to seize the throne and forces the young lion to flee to distant lands.

During his long exile, Simba grows up leading a carefree and wild lifestyle, accompanied by his two loyal friends Timon and Pumbaa, and without looking back at the past. But, as an adult, he realises he cannot escape his destiny and decides to return to his homeland to confront Scar and reclaim his place in ‘the circle of life’.

Will the musical The Lion King still impress me if I’ve already seen the film?

Yes, it’s been wowing millions of people for almost 25 years, many of whom come back time and time again. There must be a reason for that. For me, it was like a dream come true, and I’m sure you’ll experience that feeling too – you’ll even end up wondering whether Simba, Mufasa and the rest really exist. Immerse yourself in the exotic African wilderness with its animals and… Enjoy! Grrrrr!

The million-dollar question: is it better with or without children? If you’re travelling to New York with children, you should know that The Lion King is a musical for everyone, and both children and adults will enjoy it equally. In fact, seeing The Lion King as a family is a brilliant plan and will instil values such as the importance of friendship, family ties and a love of nature and animals. It’s a true celebration of life!

I’m sure it will be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. When I went, there were several children around me who didn’t even blink. They’ll love Simba’s story! Bear in mind, however, that children under 4 aren’t allowed in the theatre, and the show is recommended for those aged 8 and over.

Tips for taking children to see The Lion King on Broadway

Broadway will be like an amusement park for children. The lights, the colours, the people… But every outing with children has its own little tricks. Here are a few tips to make your visit to the musical a real success:

• Before going to the musical: to get your child interested in the story, watch the film with them first and discuss the plot.
• When buying tickets, it’s best to book them in advance online – the little ones can find queuing a real struggle!
• Before the show starts: I suggest you take your child to the loo and, finally, explain to them the importance of keeping quiet in the theatre. The golden rule!
• During the show: What if my child has a tantrum? Don’t worry – the ushers are used to these situations and will let you know the best time to step out of the auditorium for a moment.

Nuria’s Traveller Tip

A great idea after the musical is to head to the Top of the Rock, the city’s most famous skyscraper, and go up to the 70th floor. You’ll get the best panoramic views of Manhattan!

None at all, because you’ll enjoy the show just the same. It’s been New York’s number one musical since 1997 – do you think everyone spoke English back then? Obviously not. In this musical, words are literally superfluous. The set design, make-up and music will be more than enough.

In fact, musicals in English, thanks to their combination of film, dance and music, are an entertaining and highly effective way to practise and learn the language. After all, it’s a proven fact that music activates more parts of the brain than any other human stimulus. So you’ll be getting two for the price of one!

The great story of Disney’s The Lion King makes it the best musical for learning the language thanks to its simple dialogue and vocabulary, and the perfect blend of British and American English, which will help you recognise the different accents. It’s like a crash course.

Did you know…?

The name Simba means ‘lion’ in Swahili, a language spoken by around 45 million people in Africa. And what about the beautiful Nala? Nala means ‘gift’.

Yes, it is one of the most accessible musicals on Broadway. Specifically, it offers wheelchair-accessible seating, hearing aids, handheld subtitles and audio description for people with hearing impairments. Furthermore, for theatregoers who are blind or have low vision, a pre-recorded narration is provided via headphones. The philosophy is that everyone, regardless of their disability, should have access to the performing arts. I love the idea!

If you want to check the accessibility of a particular show, the Theatre Access NYC platform has launched a pioneering initiative so that, via its website, you can check which performances have accessibility features and which do not. You can also find out if a performance is autism-friendly, the location of wheelchair-accessible seats, and the accessible route you should follow inside the venue.

If you’re the sort of person who doesn’t even like wearing a suit to weddings, you can breathe easy. There’s no specific dress code for entering the Minskoff Theatre, nor do you need to dress up too much. Although you can dress up a bit if you like, nobody will expect you to, and you won’t stand out.

At the theatre, you’ll find everyone from smartly dressed New Yorkers to tourists in their ‘everyday gear’: comfy jeans, a T-shirt and trainers. So if you’re unsure what to pack, my advice is to take something comfortable yet smart that will see you through a full day of sightseeing, followed by a night at the theatre and a nice fast-food dinner on Broadway.

Nuria’s Traveller Tip

If you’re going in summer, don’t forget to take a light jacket with you to the show, otherwise you’ll freeze in the air conditioning. In New York, they turn it up to the max!

Hard Rock Café

If all that spectacle has worked up your appetite, I suggest you recharge your batteries with some good fast food at the Hard Rock. You know what they say: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. The bar has become one of Times Square’s main attractions with its rock-inspired décor. A great place to enjoy a tasty burger and try some American classics.

• Prices: from €25 per person
• Where: in Times Square, at 1501 Broadway.
• Opening hours: Open every day, from 11am to 10pm.

Bubba Gump

If fish is your thing and you’re already fed up with all these burgers, your best bet is to pop into Bubba Gump, a restaurant inspired by the iconic film Forrest Gump, which offers a wide variety of fish and seafood. You can enjoy their prawn-based dishes in a really fun atmosphere, full of memorabilia from the wonderful film. After all, ‘life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get’. The same goes for Broadway. And for those on a budget: here’s an important tip – Happy Hour is from 3 pm to 6 pm.

• Prices: on average, from €17 to €25 per person.
• Where: in Times Square, at 1501 Broadway.
• Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11.30 am to 9 pm. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm.

If, after having a brilliant time at The Lion King musical, you’re already thinking about which show to see next to keep daydreaming, here’s the definitive guide to the 10 best Broadway musicals in New York.

List of the best Broadway musicals:

• The Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (highly recommended for Christmas)
• Aladdin
• The Phantom of the Opera
• Chicago, considered the longest-running American musical in the history of the industry.