Also noteworthy was the nuanced performance of Diamond Essence White as Simba’s mother, Sarabi, and Kayla Cyphers as Nala.
Many were audience favorites, such as Jurgen Hooper as Zazu and Nick Cordileone as Timon. There wasn’t a weak performance on opening night. The Lion King’s cast includes approximately 50 members. There aren’t many musicals that deliver more punch per square inch, or per square pound, of stage – no small feat. It’s possible to cover one’s ears and just “watch” this musical with its beautiful set (Richard Hudson), lighting (Donald Holder), choreography (Garth Fagan) and costumes/masks/puppets (original director Julie Taymor and Michael Curry) and still feel satisfied. One could make the case that the artful visual storytelling may be its most potent part. The quality of this musical extends beyond any one element like the music, however. The show’s aural world adds more depth to the experience, thanks to Steve Canyon Kennedy’s sound design and James Dodgson’s musical direction. Like that hamburger, the audience knew what it was going to get – and it got it from the opening to the curtain call.įor many, the family-friendly songs of the show are this Lion’s heart. The opening is one of the best of any musical – ever – and thus expectations were high. All of this plus the creatively stunning African masking and puppetry that audiences have come to know, love and expect. Later, even the laugh by one of the hyenas received enthusiastic, anticipatory cheers.Īs Pride Rock rotates into place on an African savanna and an ark-worth’s of animals strolled the aisles of the theater and ascended the stage as “The Circle of Life” began to play. From the audience’s response, it was clear that many in the audience had seen the show before. First there was the cry of Rafiki, the show’s guide played by Gugwana Dlamini. As the house dimmed at The Fox Theatre for The Lion King’s current run (through June 19), it was clear within minutes that the show has lost neither its luster nor its appeal. In fact, compared to most jukebox musicals, it’s practically Shakespeare. There’s no question that The Lion King the musical is equally successful on its own terms. Although it may seem unfair to compare the latest tour of Disney’s The Lion King to a hamburger, it’s actually both a compliment and a testament to the quality of this theatrical adaptation of one of the franchise’s most successful animated features. One of the key achievements of successful fast food chains is that no matter where you travel, an entrée tastes consistently the same.
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