Gather Your Pride and Get Ready to Rock!

The Circle of Life

The Lion King roared into Shea’s Performing Arts Center this week in a sublime production that is brilliant from the first sound of the pounding drums in the boxes on either side of the stage, to the fabulous African beasts making their entrance down the aisles, to the final triumphant scene when the curtain is lowered.

It was enthralling from the opening “Circle of Life” sung by Rafiki, the shaman-mandrill played by the incredible Mukelisiwe Goba. The imaginative genius of the masks and puppets alone make this a unique experience. Then add the stunning African rhythms of the Music and Lyrics written by the incomparable team of Elton John and Tim Rice, the Choreography by Garth Fagan that never stops amazing as the dancers leap into the air as if gravity were a choice, and the Direction by Julie Taymor that has an energy, passion and humor that is compelling and delightful, as well as dramatic and sometimes frightening, and you have an evening of theater that will never be forgotten by those fortunate enough to experience it.

Myth and Legend

African mythology and folklore bring us the story of Simba, the lion cub who would be king, and the challenges he faces when he is manipulated into exile by his jealous uncle, Scar, played with sarcastic malice by Peter Hargrave. His father, Mufasa (Darnell Abraham), commands the stage as the lord of Pride Rock and all that the eye can see. He is a true King, compassionate as well as masterful. Young Simba, played by nine year old Bryce Christian Thompson in the performance I saw, is right there with them in acting and singing abilities, as in “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”.

Major comedy arrives in the person of Thom Christopher Warren as Zazu, the hornbill majordomo, aka, major dumbbell, fussing and fretting. Nick Cordileone as Timon the meerkat and Danny Grumich as the gassy Pumbaa the warthog, add to the hilarity as the protectors of the boy Simba in exile. And then there are the three hyenas, Shenzi (Martina Sykes), Banzai (Forest VanDyke), and the dim-witted Ed (Sam Linda), in thrall to Scar, and who can never quite get the meal they want, until the last. Darian Sanders as the mature Simba expresses the pain and confusion of an adolescent, as well as the strength of a warrior king. Thembelihle Cele as his friend and love is a strong presence, defying the usurper Scar, as well as prodding Simba to take his rightful place. We also see the predators and their prey on the savannah where all the animals live in the circle of life. The lionesses hunt gazelles,, the buzzards circle, and the hyenas feed on their kill. There is no whitewashing of the circle of life here.

The actors are excellent in their roles. I mentioned Mukelisiwe Goba as Rafiki. Let me mention her again. Wow! “One by One” at the opening of Act Two is perfection, a Zulu dance whose leg kicks I remember seeing performed many years ago by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It is beautiful to watch, as is the ensemble acting as the flora and fauna of the savannah. And there is so much more.

The Best of Theatre

The deeper messages of The Lion King, that we all need to take responsibility for our actions, that we are all connected, that life and death are inextricably intertwined, and so importantly, that those we love are always with us, takes the production beyond spectacle. It is magical, the very best that theater has to offer.

Take yourself and those you love to experience this extraordinary musical if you possibly can. You will be glad you did.