The Lion King based on Disney’s animated movie, is not just for children. The Lion King has been touring North America for more than 24 years and was last in Pittsburgh in 2019. The show has 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 first time I saw The Lion King was when my son was five (he is now in his 30's). It was his first Broadway musical. Children are seated throughout the audience, likely seeing their first show. Parenthood fueled my first viewing; Now it's the breathtaking ride to Africa.
The show opens with the song “Circle of Life.” An animated Rafiki (Thembelihle Cele) 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 erupted in applause for the vibrant opening spectacle.
This African Savanna kept that feeling of "awe" as the story unfolded. The last time I saw this show in 2016, 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 (Nick LaMedica), and the carnival atmosphere when Young Simba and Young Nala, sitting on gigantic giraffes, sang “Can't Wait to Be King.” I flashed back to a teaching moment with my own son when Mufasa (David D'Lancy Wilson) sang “They Live in You” to Young Simba on the twinkling star-clustered stage.
Mufasa’s jealous brother, Scar (Peter Hargrave), was the perfect evil villain as the lion keeper of the creepy Elephant Graveyard occupied by sinister hyenas. Hyenas: Shenzi (Martina Sykes), Banzai (Forest VanDyke) and Ed (Robb Sapp) added comic relief to the story's darker side of betrayal, power struggles and tragedy fueled by Scar.
 |
| Memory from 2016 |
We all know that Simba (Gilbert Domally) eventually fulfills his legacy as king despite his temporary refuge in the land of no worries, living the lighthearted “Hakuna Matata” life with the warthog, Pumbaa, meerkat and Timon (Nick Cordileone). Before doing so, Simba takes one last detour to fall in love with lioness Nala (Simone Baitey) 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 bold musical and visual spellbinding ride through the African Savanna.
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 bold musical and visual spellbinding ride through the African Savanna.
(The Lion King runs September 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., at the Benedum Center for a limited engagement of three weeks through Sunday, September 27, 2026. In Pittsburgh, The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 10 at 1 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 & 6:30 p.m. 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
The Lion King Broadway soundtrack here
Other Sources
The Lion King Broadway soundtrack here
No comments:
Post a Comment