June 7, 1998 – The Lion King Wins Six Tony Awards
Image Credit: The Official Website for the Tony Awards
“Tom [Schumacher] and I want to thank the Tony committee and the theater community for embracing this show and honoring us this way.” – Peter Schneider
On June 7, 1998, the 52nd Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The Lion King musical walked away with six awards, including Best Musical, beating out Ragtime, Side Show, and The Scarlet Pimpernel. The Lion King also won Best Direction of a Musical for director Julie Taymor, Best Choreographer for Garth Fagan, Best Scenic Design for a Musical for Richard Hudson, Best Costume Design for a Musical for Julie Taymor and Michael Curry, and Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Donald Holder.
The musical, based on the animated film released in 1994, was a phenomenon when released on Broadway, smashing records and earning rave reviews. Julie Taymor, the director, was the first female to receive a Tony for Best Direction of a Musical. “Julie Taymor is a goddess; we’re eternally grateful for your courage, your passion, and the genius that is your gift,” Tom Schumacher announced upon receiving the Tony Award for Best Musical. Using her studies in pre-Bunraku puppetry in Japan, Taymor also helped to create the costumes for the musical, with a variety of masks and puppets used to portray the animals in the show; this unique design helped set the musical apart from the movie.
disneydetail 