Located in the heart of Times Square in New York City, The New Amsterdam Theatre boasts a rich history and unique architecture. The theatre opened with its first production in 1903. It went on to host the Ziegfeld Follies from 1913 to 1936. The Great Depression soon took a toll on the theatre business and caused The New Amsterdam to temporarily close and reopen a year later as a movie theatre, playing classic movies for many years following. In 1993, as part of the 42nd Street Development Project, The Walt Disney Company leased the theatre and completed an unprecendented renovation and overhaul of the landmark building, which became the home for live Disney theatrical productions. The official reopening of The New Amsterdam Theatre was on April 2, 1997, with a limited engagement of a concert version of King David followed by the world premier of the Disney film Hercules. Disney's stage version of The Lion King opened in the theatre on November 13, 1997 and became an instant sensation. The New Amsterdam Theatre was the home of The Lion King for amost nine years until the show moved to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006 to make way for the stage production of Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins opened on Broadway in November 2006 and continues to thrill audiences at The New Amsterdam Theatre.