The Lion King, the most successful musical in American history, roars into Milwaukee for the first time since 2008. It will play a four-week run at the cavernous Milwaukee Theater. The theater, with more than 4,000 seats, is nearly twice the size of Lion King’sfirst home, Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater in New York. (The show is now playing at the Minskoff Theater). The extra space comes in handy for some of the animal effects for which the show is known. The Milwaukee Theater also has wide aisles leading from the back of the orchestra section to the stage, which the smaller Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (where all the other Broadway series offerings take place) does not.
Disney Theatricals has a reputation for presenting top-quality entertainment, and The Lion King is no exception. As a result, this is not a cheap night out. The tour commands Broadway prices (although tickets start at $24). But the spectacular effects that unfold before the audience’s eyes make this an once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone who enjoys live entertainment.
The musical is based on a popular Disney cartoon of the same name. But director and costume designer Julie Taymor has taken this show so far beyond the cartoon that one cannot even see the other side of the savannah.
The musical retains much of the film’s innocent charm, and younger audience members will thrill to joyful tunes such as “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” sung by Simba, the lion cub who is one day destined to ascend the throne. One cannot imagine a more engaging young singer/actor than Jordan A. Hall (one of two boys cast for the roll). His playmate is young Nala, a cub who is a bit more sensible than the rambunctious Simba. Nya Cymone Carter makes a believable transition from Simba’s carefree pal to a serious, member-in-training among the lionesses. The lionesses, attired in pale masks and colorful, silk robes, fairly glide along the stage as they chant and move stealthily in the shadow of Pride Rock. Carter expertly mimics their every move. The story is so familiar that a synopsis isn’t necessary. Several touching scenes between Simba and his father, Mufasa (L. Steven Taylor), are critical for creating a bond that will last through Simba’s entire life. Taylor is as majestic as one could wish for in a lion king. Dark events unfold under the direction of Scar (Patrick R. Brown), Mufasa’s jealous brother.
After Simba flees Pride Rock, certain that he is responsible for his father’s death, he meets up with two sidekicks. One is a clever meerkat, Timon (nicely performed by Nick Cordilione) and his dimwitted pal, Pumbaa (Ben Lipitz). They convince Simba to forget his past and enjoy bachelor life with them. However, as Simba becomes a strong young lion (Jelani Remy), he begins to wonder whether he really belongs in a jungle so far from Pride Rock. Just on cue, the arrival of an equally older Nala (a sleek and cat-like Thembelihle Cele) further encourages Simba to take his place as the rightful king. Meanwhile, things haven’t been going well for the narcissistic Scar. He chides the lionesses for not searching hard enough for food. Scar, now the king, unwittingly produces one of the show’s funniest, updated lines. When the faithful “major domo,” Zazu, is told by Scar to sing something upbeat, Zazu responds with a few lines of “Let it Go” (the theme song from “Frozen”). “No,” Scar bellows. “Anything but that!” Of course, the line practically brings down the house.
It is tempting to compare Lion King to a well-oiled machine. But that wouldn’t be fair to the musical, which still brings out the conflicting emotions that tug at the audience’s hearts. And it wouldn’t explain the gorgeous costumes, sets, dancing and lighting that create Julie Taymor’s unified vision. The singing, dancing, acting and staging are first class.
Now in its 18th year, The Lion King seems as fresh as the day it landed on Broadway. So many actors have performed in Lion King over the years that most of the major cast members in the national tour have appeared in versions on Broadway, or in Las Vegas, or are from one of the many companies touring the globe. The Lion King still reigns as the king of musical theater.
