Return of ‘Lion King’ proves ‘strong’
“The Lion King,” which ends its four-week run today, roared relatively loudly at the INB Performing Arts Center.
Jack Lucas, of WestCoast Entertainment, said the final tally should be around 65,000 tickets sold, out of a capacity of around 80,000.
“For a return engagement, that’s a very, very strong show,” said Lucas. “And Disney is very happy with it as well.”
The first time “The Lion King” came to Spokane, in 2005, it smashed a local theatrical record with 117,000 tickets sold. But that was a six-week run, with 15 more performances.
Lucas estimated that 50 percent of the audience came from farther away than 100 miles.
IMAX at AMC
Now you can see movies in IMAX at River Park Square.
No, I am not confusing that with Riverfront Park.
The River Park Square AMC cinemas just converted one of its 20 screens to a “multiplex design IMAX theater.”
The screen isn’t as large as the towering IMAX screen in Riverfront Park – that would be impossible.
But this revamped AMC theater’s screen is larger than the old screen – about 10 feet wider and 7 feet taller. It’s also curved and brought forward so it fills the viewer’s field of vision.
It has IMAX digital projectors which can deliver images in 3-D, along with the IMAX sound system.
Disney’s “A Christmas Carol” is currently playing there, in all of its 3-D IMAX glory. And on Dec. 18, “Avatar” will fill the screen.
A ‘Behanding’ update
We’ve already told you about an upcoming Broadway play with an intriguing name: “A Behanding in Spokane.”
Now, we can tell you that Christopher Walken will star. The Broadway cast will also include Sam Rockwell, Anthony Mackie and Zoe Kazan.
This is the new black comedy by writer-director Martin McDonagh, who had a movie hit last year with “In Bruges.”
We still don’t know for sure whether the play is set in Spokane. We only know that it supposedly takes place in “small-town America.”
Walken plays a man whose hand was chopped off – and he wants it back.
It opens for previews on Broadway on Feb. 15 and begins its regular run March 4.
Star power?
Speaking of stars, the folks at North by Northwest tell us that they will be filming a new thriller in Spokane for Sony beginning Feb. 1 – and it will feature a “prominent star.”
Unfortunately, they can’t tell us who. Not for another week or two.
We asked: Is it a household name? Answer: Oh, yes.
Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, filming wrapped last week on the “The Big Bang” with Antonio Banderas, who’s at least a semi-household name.
‘Nuncrackers’
The Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s production of “Nuncrackers” will feature some of the region’s favorite actresses: Kathie Doyle Lipe, Tamara Schupman, Krista Kubicek and Julie Powell.
It will also feature appearances by Andrew Ware Lewis and Jack Bannon.
This is the holiday show with those wacky nuns from “Nunsense.” It runs Dec. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. in Schuler Auditorium on the North Idaho College campus in Coeur d’Alene.
Call (800) 4-CDATIX for tickets.
A new Civic season
The Spokane Civic Theatre isn’t even halfway through its 2009-10 season, but it has already settled on three of its musicals for the 2010-2011 season:
• “The Buddy Holly Story,” fall 2010.
• “White Christmas,” 2010 holiday season.
• “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” early 2011.
The full season will be announced later.
‘The Bells’ ring today
Today is the day to catch Connoisseur Concerts’ annual family holiday show, which has a Russian theme this year.
The title: “The Bells: A Russian Holiday Story.”
This free concert for all ages will feature Russian music performed by the Spokane Youth Orchestra, the Spokane Area Children’s Chorus, the Cathedral Handbell Choir and soprano Darnelle Preston, with a guest appearance by the Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Choir. Actor Damon Abdallah will also perform.
It takes place today at 4 and 7 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral, 12th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.
No tickets are required to this free event. Seating is first-come, first-served, and doors will be open an hour before the concert.
I can tell you from experience it’s a good idea to get there early.
A First Night preview
Admission buttons are on sale for First Night Spokane, the ninth annual downtown New Year’s Eve arts-and-music celebration.
Buttons are $12 for adults, free for children 10 and under, in advance at all Zip Trip locations and also at the River Park Square concierge desk and Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave.
They will cost $15 on the night of the event.
Once again, dozens of musical acts will be spread out from the Spokane Convention Center to the Masonic Temple and multiple downtown locations in between.
This year, most of Spokane Falls Boulevard will be blocked off for revelers to roam.
Last year’s event was a little dicey, weather-wise; the snowboarders’ Rail Jam had to be canceled because of too much snow.
But this year First Night Spokane Director Chris Martin expects the usual 25,000 or so attendees.
Slam switch
TobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam concert on Dec. 10 has been switched from the Spokane Arena to the Star Theatre.
That doesn’t sound like much of a switch, since the Star Theatre is merely the more intimate configuration of the Arena.
But it means that everyone who already bought tickets will need to exchange their old tickets for new ones.
You can exchange them beginning Monday, 10 a.m. at the Arena box office, 720 W. Mallon, or on the day of the show beginning at 3 p.m. at the ticket windows at the Northeast Main Entrance.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., so you might want to arrive early to give yourself time to make the exchange. The concert starts at 7 p.m.
The Cat’s birthday bash
KDRK-FM (The Cat, 93.7) is celebrating its 28th birthday on Thursday at 7 p.m. with a concert at the Luxury Box, 10512 E. Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley.
The acts include Bomshel, Lee Brice and the Ryan Larson Band. Bomshel features fiddler Kristy O from Sandpoint.
Tickets are $10, available through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).