NEW YORK (AP) — Thomas Schumacher, who led Disney Theatrical Group for decades and helped it produce enduring musical theater hits like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” changing Times Square and Broadway itself, is leaving the company.

Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, announced the departure in an email to staff Wednesday, calling it the “end of an era.” Schumacher is due to leave at the end of September.

During Schumacher's tenure, Disney shows won 20 Tony Award wins and 60 nominations and have three of the 15 longest-running shows in Broadway history — “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.” The group's 10 Broadway titles have been seen by 240 million people.

Bergman said Schumacher made Disney “the most successful stage producer in history by virt

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