Kimmel Center Blog

Disney's The Lion King, beginning June 8th

It's been the hottest ticket in Philadelphia since the show went on sale last November. The Lion King starts previews tonight, opens on June 10th, and runs through September 10th. There are still some tickets available if you haven't gotten your seats yet.

Please let us know what you thought of the show: if you've been to see it elsewhere, if you brought kids to see the show.

I sent the following letter to five individuals associated with the Kimmel Center and received not a single reply.I am very disappointed with the lack of response. As a supporter of the Wilma theater and the arts in general, I expected a more professional handling of my complaint. July 27, 2006

Last night (July 26th), my daughter and I attended a performance of The Lion King. We had been looking forward to it for months. Between the tickets and transportation, the evening cost $125. I believed it would be well worth it to see such a spectacular show right in Philadelphia. You cannot imagine, however, our devastation upon seeing our seats. Yes, I realized that the amphitheater was far from the stage, but nothing could have prepared us for seeing a thick railing that literally cut our view of the stage horizontally in half. We were near tears.
Attempting to make the best of it, my daughter and I alternated between leaning over the seat backs in front of us to catch a glimpse of the performers when they were in the back and scrunching down while tilting our heads to see the performers when they came forward. Needless to say, it was a very uncomfortable situation not to mention that the tableau effects of the choreography were ruined. Although we were in center seats, at no time could we see the entire stage. If the person in front of us leaned forward, our view was totally blocked.
I feel that it is unconscionable for those tickets to have been sold for a show of that nature. It was even difficult to understand the purpose of the railing, considering that young boys in row A were leaning over the edge as they watched. It certainly wasn't designed to keep people from falling out of their seats!
Our disappointment defies description. “Broadway in Philadelphia” seems like such a great idea, but it is not worth it if one cannot be assured a quality time. I would rather take a bus to New York and know that any seat in the theater will be satisfactory. By the way, our seats were in Section E, Row C, seats 109/110.

Heidi, sorry the show wasn't the great experience it should have been for you. I have seen the show and it is amazing! I think it's best to speak up right away and ask for a refund immedieatly. Sitting through the whole show and asking for some type of repair afterwards is never an easy road. Hope things worked out for you.