It has been nearly twenty five years since Julie Taymor’s astonishing interpretation of “The Lion King” debuted on Broadway, winning multiple Tony Awards for direction, choreography, scenic, costume, and lighting designs, and orchestrations. The third longest running show in Broadway history, it is also the most lucrative.
In short, “The Lion King” is a theatrical juggernaut.
And this December, you can see it in full glory at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown San Francisco.
Does it live up to the hype? Yes, it does. But not without caveats.
The costumes, the puppetry, the various design elements (set, lighting, sound, costume), the choreography and the orchestrations are all spectacular and completely satisfying. Every tableau is eye popping.
But, somehow, the heart of the story seems to be overhwelmed by all the spectacle. The emotional relationship between the Lion King and his son Simba seems phony and indicated, rather than deeply felt. The villanies of Simba’s treacherous Uncle Scar seem cartoonish. The scenes which should move us emotionally left me cold, mere filler for the spectacle.
It doesn’t have to be like this. A few years ago, San Francisco was home to “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” That was another play that relied on spectacle and overwhelmingly impressive design elements. But, in that case, the core relationships and emotional content were crystal clear. The play, not the spectacle, was the thing.
With The Lion King, the spectacle is everything which is a bit disappointing. The exceptions (and they are wonderful exceptions) are Mukelesiwe Goba as the shamanistic Rafiki and the hilarious Nick Cordileone as Timba. As Rafiki, Goba is haunting and memorable, full of joy, and holds us in the palm of her hand. Cordileone’s puppetry is wonderfully convincing and natural. The two of them are like living plants in a forest of plastic ferns.
So, I admit to being disapointed in some respects.
Nevertheless, the spectacular design, the African musical motifs, the incredible puppetry (who could see and ever forget an elephant making its way through the audience), the endless variety of visual excitement make this a memorable experience.
If you want to see “The Lion King,” by all means, go. In spite of some flaws, a lot of it is just perfect.
Children will love it!
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Rating: ***1/2 (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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“The Lion King,” presented by Disney Theatrical Group. Original Screenplay Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi. Music & Lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice. Additional Music & Lyrics by Lebo M. Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, Hanz Zimmer. Adapted from the Screenplay by: Irene Mecchi & Jonathan Roerts & Linda Wo0olverton. Orginal Director: Julie Taymor. Choreographer: Garth Fagan. Tour Director: Rober Allers & Rob Minkoff. Scenic Design: Richard Hudson. Costume Design: Julie Taymor. Lighting Design: Donald Holder. Mask & Puppet Design: Julie Taymor & Michael Curry. Sound Design: Steve Canyon Kennedy. Hair & Makeup Design: Michael Ward. Music Director: Karl Shymanovitz. Fight Director: Rick Sordelet.
Cast:
Rafiki: Mukelisiwe Goba. Mufasa: Gerald Ramsey. Sarabi: Jennifer Theriot. Zazu: Nick LaMedica. Scar: Peter Hargrave. Young Simba: Mason Lawson or Julian Villela. Young Nala: Jaxyn Damasco or Aniya Simone. Shenzi: Martina Sykes. Banzai: Forest VanDyke. Ed: Robbie Swift. Timon: Nick Cordileone. Pumbaa: John E. Brady. Simba: Darian Sanders. Nala: Khalifa White.
Ensemble Singers:
Isaiah, Lauren Carr, Thembelihle Cele, Allah James, Joel Karie, Gabsile Manana, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Jeremy Noel, Sicelo Ntshangase, Erick D. Patrick, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Jennifer Theriot, Denzel Tsopnang.
Ensemble Dancers:
Iman Ayana, Samantha Lauren Barriento, Layla Brent, VErnon Brooks III, Sasha Caicedo, Marquis Floyd, Samaree Lawson, Sayiga Eugene Peabody, Maia Schechter, Courtney Thomas, Jordan Nicole Willis.
Specialties:
Circle of Life Vocals: Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Sicelo Ntshangase. Mouse Shaddow Puppet: Sicelo Nitshangase. Ant Hill Lady: Jordan Nicole Willis. Guinea Fowl: Marquis Floyd. Buzzard Pole: Samaree Lawson. Gazelle Wheel: Maia Schechter. Gazelles: Vernon Brooks III, Marquis Floyd. Lioness Chant Vocal: Sicelo Ntshangase. Acrobatic trickster: Sayiga Eugene Peabody. Giraffe Shadow Puppets: Isaiah Bailey, Jeremy Noel. Cheetah: Sasha Caicedo. Stilt Giraffe: Courtney Thomas. Scar Shaddow Puppet: Isaiah Bailey, Jeremy Noel, Denzel Tsopnang. Simba Shadow Puppet: Joel Karie, Sicelo Ntshangae, Erick D. Patrick. One By One Vocal: Sicelo Ntshangase, Poseletso Sejosingoe. One By One Dance: Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Denzel Tsopnang. Fireflies: Jordan Nicole Willis. Pumbaa Pole Puppet: Samaree Lawson. Nala Pole Puppet: Sasha Caicedo. Lioness/Hyene Shadow Uppets: Lauren Carr, Thembelihle C ele, Gabisile Manana, Nhlanhla Ndlovu, Poseletso Sejosingoe, Jennifer Theriot.
Orchestra:
Conductor: Karl Shymanovitz. Associate Conductor: Dean BAlan. Keyboard I: Sylvia Chen. Keybaord 2/Assistant Conductor: Paul McCaffrey. Guitar: Robert Tye. Bass: Andrew Higgins. Drums: Phil Martin. Marimba: Mike Faue. Percussion: Stefan, Monssen, Reuven Weizberg. Flutes: Darlene Drew. French Horn: Tim Riley. Music Coordinator: Michael Keller.
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