WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

WHAT: Disney Theatrical Productions will donate objects from the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical, "The Lion King" to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24

11 a.m.

WHERE: National Museum of American History

14th Street and Madison Drive N.W.

Note: Please use the Mall entrance.

WHO: Dwight Blocker Bowers, curator, National Museum of American History

Thomas Schumacher, president and producer, Disney Theatrical Productions

In a special donation ceremony, Thomas Schumacher will present objects from "The Lion King" -- Broadway's landmark musical event -- to the National Museum of American History.

Disney's Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical "The Lion King," based on the 1994 Disney animated film, reigns as one of the most popular shows on Broadway and around the world. The show recently passed the 50-million mark in worldwide attendance, becoming the first American musical in history to achieve the feat.

These objects will join a rich collection of artifacts with Broadway origins, including costumes from the Broadway productions of RENT, THE KING AND I, HELLO, DOLLY!, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CATS, THIS IS THE ARMY, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, MAME and LORELEI. Currently on view at the museum is DUMBO THE FLYING ELEPHANT from Disneyland's opening year (1955), and the museum holds Walt Disney's pencil sketches of STEAMBOAT WILLIE, an early iteration of Mickey Mouse.