Lion King surpasses the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent, which previously held that position with 5,124 performances.

The top ten longest-running Broadway shows include the following:

1. The Phantom of the Opera (9,179 performances; still running)
2. Cats (7,485)
3. Les Miserables (6,680)
4. A Chorus Line (6,137)
5. Oh! Calcutta (5,959)
6. Chicago (5,508; still running)
7. Beauty and the Beast (5,461)
8. The Lion King (5,125; still running)
9. Rent (5,124)
10. Miss Saigon (4,097)

Based on the animated feature film of the same name, The Lion King, press notes state, "follows the adventures of the young lion cub Simba, as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of King."

Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 50 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor — who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical — The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe. 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. The Lion King currently plays the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway. For more information visit www.DisneyOnBroadway.com.