The lion has been a symbol of "Might and Right" for longer than anyone can remember. The powerful, majestic creature evokes a sense of awe, certainly in children and probably in most adults. Well, The Lion King does not disappoint! The musical opened on Broadway in November of 1997, and it is now the 9th longest-running show in Broadway's history.
There are a lot of good reasons for The Lion King's continuing full-house performances. Not least among them are Elton John's music and Tim Rice's lyrics, and the direction of Julie Taymor. Critics and fans alike are astounded by the transition from animated film to live action on stage, because the cross-over is almost seamless. All it takes is imagination, and this show doesn't even require too much of that, since the whole spectacle just sweeps the viewer along in a truly noble adventure.
When The Lion King was released as an animated film in 1994, it turned out to be one of Disney's crowning achievements. The movie got an Academy Award for Best Music: Original Score, as well as a Tony Award and the Olivier Award. For sheer entertainment, the stage production is very hard to beat, and the theme is both universally familiar and deeply touching.
Set in the plains of Africa, the plot follows the doings of oh-so-human creatures: the Lion King Mufasa and his mate and their cub, Simba. The birds and beasts, including the hornbill Zazu, the meerkat Timon, the warthog Pumbaa and the ambitious and conniving Scar, Mufasa's brother, all have their place in the unfolding drama. Just like the rest of this old world, there's good and bad in everyone, but it's pretty clear who's on the side of the angels. (Hyenas would seem to have no redeeming traits; nor does Scar.)
As the plot unfolds, the malicious Scar engineers the death-by-wildebeest of Mufasa, and tells Simba that it's his own fault, sending the grief-stricken lion cub away expecting to die in shame and despair. Simba is rescued from the vultures by Timon and Pumbaa, with their motto of "hakuna matata", which means something like "Who cares?" The lion grows to young adulthood with this attitude, and thinks he has forgotten the past and his beloved and revered father.
Simba 'grows up' with this creed as his motto, but in the meantime Scar (who is actually the murderer of Mufasa) has taken over the lion kingdom, making allies of the wretched hyenas. Under his rule, everything deteriorates horribly, and finally Nala, a young lioness now, and Simba's dearest childhood friend, goes in search of help. She finds Simba and in spite of his resistance, he is persuaded to return and help his friends when he 'hears' his father telling him to "Remember!" In the final battle, Scar falls, to be killed by his own hyena "friends".
As a fairy tale with a moral, The Lion King shines as possibly the most entrancing and impressive ever to reach the stage. Touches of comedy, tragedy, pathos and grandeur make the show the huge success that it has been and remains. It is still running on Broadway, so you can get tickets to see it there, or look for a touring production coming to a stage near you. Whatever you do, don't miss it; The Lion King is an experience that you will treasure for a long, long time.
There are a lot of good reasons for The Lion King's continuing full-house performances. Not least among them are Elton John's music and Tim Rice's lyrics, and the direction of Julie Taymor. Critics and fans alike are astounded by the transition from animated film to live action on stage, because the cross-over is almost seamless. All it takes is imagination, and this show doesn't even require too much of that, since the whole spectacle just sweeps the viewer along in a truly noble adventure.
When The Lion King was released as an animated film in 1994, it turned out to be one of Disney's crowning achievements. The movie got an Academy Award for Best Music: Original Score, as well as a Tony Award and the Olivier Award. For sheer entertainment, the stage production is very hard to beat, and the theme is both universally familiar and deeply touching.
Set in the plains of Africa, the plot follows the doings of oh-so-human creatures: the Lion King Mufasa and his mate and their cub, Simba. The birds and beasts, including the hornbill Zazu, the meerkat Timon, the warthog Pumbaa and the ambitious and conniving Scar, Mufasa's brother, all have their place in the unfolding drama. Just like the rest of this old world, there's good and bad in everyone, but it's pretty clear who's on the side of the angels. (Hyenas would seem to have no redeeming traits; nor does Scar.)
As the plot unfolds, the malicious Scar engineers the death-by-wildebeest of Mufasa, and tells Simba that it's his own fault, sending the grief-stricken lion cub away expecting to die in shame and despair. Simba is rescued from the vultures by Timon and Pumbaa, with their motto of "hakuna matata", which means something like "Who cares?" The lion grows to young adulthood with this attitude, and thinks he has forgotten the past and his beloved and revered father.
Simba 'grows up' with this creed as his motto, but in the meantime Scar (who is actually the murderer of Mufasa) has taken over the lion kingdom, making allies of the wretched hyenas. Under his rule, everything deteriorates horribly, and finally Nala, a young lioness now, and Simba's dearest childhood friend, goes in search of help. She finds Simba and in spite of his resistance, he is persuaded to return and help his friends when he 'hears' his father telling him to "Remember!" In the final battle, Scar falls, to be killed by his own hyena "friends".
As a fairy tale with a moral, The Lion King shines as possibly the most entrancing and impressive ever to reach the stage. Touches of comedy, tragedy, pathos and grandeur make the show the huge success that it has been and remains. It is still running on Broadway, so you can get tickets to see it there, or look for a touring production coming to a stage near you. Whatever you do, don't miss it; The Lion King is an experience that you will treasure for a long, long time.
About the Author:
By Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass.com. StubPass sells Lion King Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, Broadway Tickets and more to just about any event in the world.
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