NEW YORK—Visually stunning, with a standout cast and a story which is touching, timeless, and a treat for children of all ages, the Disney musical The Lion King (book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, additional lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer) is as triumphant as when it first opened on Broadway more than a decade ago.
Based on the animated film and set in the African veldt, The Lion King tells the coming-of-age story of lion cub Simba. Son to King Mufasa (Nathaniel Stampley), Young Simba (Shavar McIntosh), like any child is wide-eyed, innocent, and full of dreams. However, his adventurous ways often get him into trouble. Things are not helped by the machinations of his evil Uncle Scar (Dan Donohue), who makes no secret of his hatred for both Mufasa and his son, as it is only through their deaths that he can ascend the throne.
When Mufasa is killed, Simba is led to believe he's responsible and flees deep into the jungle where he is befriended by Timon (John E. Brady), a meerkat, and Pumbaa (Jim Ferris), a warthog, who teach him a carefree way of life. But his deepest instincts cannot be ignored and eventually the now-grown Simba (Sean Bradford) realizes he must return to the scene of his deepest shame and challenge his uncle for the right to become king.
One feels literally swept up in the story thanks to the intricate costumes, headpieces, and other appendages (by Taymor) the cast wears to make them become the animals they are portraying. Also excellent are the sets by Richard Hudson and lighting by Donald Holder.
This is all tied together through Taymor's wonderful direction, which is able to make her vision for the show come almost magically alive on stage. (She also gets able assistance from choreographer Garth Fagan.)
Just as important is the very strong score, with such numbers as "The Circle of Life" (which opens and closes the show); as well as "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," a wonderfully over-the-top number; and the humorous "Hakuna Matata."
Standouts among the cast include Stampley as the fierce and philosophical Mufasa; Donohue as a wickedly malevolent Scar; and McIntosh and Bradford who nicely portray Simba at different phases of his life. Also quite good are Jeff Binder as the bird Zazu and Bradley as Timon, both of whom provided important comic relief; and Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, the aged money, who has a mystical insight into the ways of the jungle.
Also in the cast are Jean Michelle Grier, Guy V. Barfield II, NicKayla Tucker, Halle Vargas Sullivan, Bonita J. Hamilton, James Brown-Orleans, Enrique Segura, Danny Rutigliano, Wallace Smith, Kissy Simmons, Alvin Crawford, Lindiwe Dlamini, Bongi Duma, Michael Alexander Henry, Joel Karie, Ron Kunene, Sheryl McCallum, S'bu Ngema, Selloane A. Nkhela, Mpuma Sikakane, Lisa Nicole Wilkerson, Kenny Redell Williams, Kristina Michelle Bethel, Camille M. Brown, Michelle Aguilar Camaya, Gabriel A. Croom, Nicole Adell Johnson, Gregory A. King, Lisa Lewis, Ray Mercer, Brandon Christopher O'Neal, Natalie Ridley, Ryan Brooke Taylor, and Philip W. Turner.
The Lion King
Minskoff Theatre
Broadway and 45th Street
Tickets: 212-307-4747, 800-755-4000 or DisneyonBroadway.com
Open Run
Running Time: Approximately Two Hours, 25 Minutes
Judd Hollander is the New York correspondent for the London publication, The Stage.
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