The Lion King has been on Broadway since 1997. I have lived in New York since 2001. Like most New Yorkers, I assumed I could watch the show whenever I wanted, which meant that I never actually went to see it until now. Oh well, better late than never.
There's a reason The Lion King is the highest-grossing show in Broadway history and is sold out every night. The show is an ingenious piece of art that both literally and figuratively pushes past the constraints of a Broadway stage. From the moment you hear the opening refrain of Circle of Life, you are hooked and what unfolds is a bewildering display of color, light, shadow, music, and beauty. It is an immersive experience that transports you to the African plains and makes you suspend your disbelief as you watch costumed men and women parade on stage as lions, giraffes, and hyenas.
The plot of The Lion King can be summarized as Hamlet with lions. It's not my favorite Disney story, so if that's all that matters to you when you go to the theater, you probably won't enjoy this show. But who cares about story when you have such amazing visuals? The intricate costumes (designed by the brilliantly inventive director, Julie Taymor) are a wonder to behold and each actor seems to embody the spirit of the animal they're portraying. Shadow puppetry is used to startling effect to depict the breadth and scope of the African savanna, and the stage morphs before your eyes to go from grassland to desert, jungle to waterfall, cliff to cave. I'm not a huge fan of the English songs by Elton John and Tim Rice but thankfully the show contains multiple African compositions by Lebo M. that soar through the theater at crucial stages.
If you've never seen a Broadway musical before, The Lion King is probably the best way to start. I tend to prefer old-fashioned musicals that have zany plots, witty banter, and fast-paced choreography, none of which you will find in The Lion King. And yet, this production is a mesmerizing spectacle of just what it means to "put on a show." It dazzles and astounds and is a living, breathing piece of art. So if you're visiting New York or are a New Yorker who has put this off for far too long, buy some tickets and discover what all the fuss is about.
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