'The Lion King' to return to Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- "The Lion King" is ready to roar in a triumphant return to Chicago.

The show's producers love Chicago. That is why they are bringing the production back for the fourth time in its 18-year history.

Tom Schumacher is president of the Disney Theatrical Group. He said they launched the tour in Chicago 13 years ago.

"It's the number one city for this sort of thing. If you're going to take your show on the road, you play Chicago. (There are) great theatres, great audiences and enough people to make it worth our while. It's the most hospitable city in America and you know that - you live here," he said.

"No one has done a show that has grossed more than The Lion King has. The number is staggering, approaching $6 billion," Schumacher said.

Mega filmmaker George Lucas may not be aware of this fact.

"'The Lion King' on stage, just tickets on stage - not merchandise, not videos, not records - just on stage, has grossed more than all six 'Star Wars' movies combined," Schumacher said.

Next up for Schumacher is "Frozen" the musical, based on the hit animated film.

"There are things you always leave out of movies. There's not enough time to tell the whole story. The movie is relatively short and the stage is two and a half hours long. They get to re-examine all the questions again. How do you do Frozen? That's why you buy a ticket. That's my job!" Schumacher said.

"The Lion King" is still playing on Broadway. It's been translated into seven languages. Check out the show in December at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.