THE LION KING, based on Disney’s animated movie, is not just for children. The show won 6 Tony Awards
and fuses pop music written by Elton John and Tim Rice with African
rhythms. The African plains come to life
with the spectacular blending of puppetry and actors. It tells the story of the lion cub,
Simba's journey to become the ruler of Pride Rock like Mufasa, his
father. It’s a bold musical and visual journey into the African Savanna.
Reflection
The last time I saw the LION KING was when my son was five and like a lot of the children specked throughout the audience tonight, it was his first Broadway musical. Parenthood had fueled my first time viewing of this show but I had forgotten how breathtaking this ride to Africa was even for "grown-ups."
The show opens with the song “Circle of Life.” An animated Rafiki (Buyi Zama) orchestrates the entrance of a barrage of wildlife: towering giraffes, springing antelopes, giant elephants, a striking rhino and more. Some enter as actors in costumes and others are combinations of humans and puppets. As they marched through the aisle the audience ignited into applause in appreciation of the vibrant opening spectacle.
The show opens with the song “Circle of Life.” An animated Rafiki (Buyi Zama) orchestrates the entrance of a barrage of wildlife: towering giraffes, springing antelopes, giant elephants, a striking rhino and more. Some enter as actors in costumes and others are combinations of humans and puppets. As they marched through the aisle the audience ignited into applause in appreciation of the vibrant opening spectacle.
This African
Savanna kept that feeling of "awe" as the story unfolded. My mother leaned over to me and whispered, “I never
saw anything like this.”
My toes tapped along with the dancing grass, bubbly bird Zazu (Greg Jackson) and the carnival atmosphere when young Simba (Richard A Phillips) and Young Nala (Celina Smith) on gigantic giraffes sang “Can't Wait to be King.” I had a flashback to a teaching moment with my own son when Mufasa (Gerald Ramsey) sang “They Live in You” to Young Simba on the twinkling star clustered stage.
My toes tapped along with the dancing grass, bubbly bird Zazu (Greg Jackson) and the carnival atmosphere when young Simba (Richard A Phillips) and Young Nala (Celina Smith) on gigantic giraffes sang “Can't Wait to be King.” I had a flashback to a teaching moment with my own son when Mufasa (Gerald Ramsey) sang “They Live in You” to Young Simba on the twinkling star clustered stage.
Mufasa’s
jealous brother, Scar (Spencer Plachy) was the perfect evil villain as the lion keeper of the creepy Elephant
Graveyard occupied by sinister hyenas. Hyenas, Shenzi, (Martina Sykes )
Banzai (Keith Bennett) and Ed (Robbie Swift) added punches of comic relief to the story's darker side
of betrayal, battle for power and tragedy fueled by Scar.
We all know that Simba (Jared
Dixon) eventually fulfills his legacy as king despite his temporary refuge to the land
of no worries living the lighthearted “Hakuna Matata” life with warthog, Pumbaa (Ben Lipitz) and meerat, Timon (Nick Cordileone). Before doing so, Simba takes one last detour to fall in love with lioness Nala (Nia Holloway) in the beautifully sung,"Can you Feel the Love Tonight."The LION KING erupted in an ending celebration as Pride Rock “rocked” with a reprise of the “Circle of Life.” All ages will enjoy this this bold musical and visual spell bounding ride through the African Savanna.
(The LION KING runs from September 4 -
September 29, 2019 at the Benedum Theater in Pittsburgh. For tickets go to TrustArts.org )
Spiritual Reflection
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end. (Revelation 11:13)
Other Sources
LION KING Broadway sound track here
https://trustarts.org/
Other Sources
LION KING Broadway sound track here
https://trustarts.org/
