Goshen College Afternoon Sabbatical heads to Chicago’s The Lion King; Tickets still available for Jan. 10 show

GOSHEN, Ind. – Giraffes strut across the stage as birds swoop down, and gazelles leap across the African savannah. This is just a glimpse of what theater-goers with the Goshen College Afternoon Sabbatical trip to Chicago can expect on Nov. 15 and on Jan. 10 from the critically acclaimed musical The Lion King.

Although the November trip, with four buses, has already sold out, Goshen College secured tickets for a Jan. 10 add-on trip for those who missed out on the first offering.

After five sold-out seasons on Broadway, The Lion King is playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from April 2003 to February 2004. The musical showcases a breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by director Julie Taymor, and features the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar Award-winning songs “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.”

“The Lion King has been delighting audiences on Broadway and across the world,” says producer Thomas Schumacher. “We are thrilled to launch a new production in this great theater town.”

The musical has won six Tony awards including Best Musical, eight Drama Desk Awards, the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. Director Taymor became the first woman in Broadway history to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.

There is a $50 deposit required for registration. Total cost is $118, which covers a charter bus seat, a light sack lunch and tickets for the musical. The trip will be hosted by Janette Yoder, director of special events, and Mary Ann Roth, chair of the Afternoon Sabbatical Committee. The Afternoon Sabbatical series was established 25 years ago by a group of persons who felt the community should have access to the wealth of knowledge and talent offered by Goshen College faculty members.

For more information or to register for the trip, call the Goshen College Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566.

Goshen College is a national liberal arts college known for leadership in international education, service-learning and peace and justice issues in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program and exceptional educational value, GC serves about 1,000 students in both traditional and nontraditional programs. The college earned citations of excellence in U.S.News & World Report and Barron’s Best Buys in Higher Education. For more information, visit www.goshen.edu.

– Tim Nafziger



Editors: For information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at jodihb@goshen.edu or (574) 535-7572.