Does any musical have a more spectacular beginning than The Lion King? Dozens of life-size puppets representing the animals on the African savannah enter from the wings and parade down the aisles for the opening scene. Remarkably, the production maintains its creativity from beginning to end.
Each time I see the show, I am wonderstruck by the visual splendor of Julie Taymor’s direction and costume designs, Taymor and Michael Curry’s puppet designs, Garth Fagan’s choreography, Richard Hudson’s scenic design, Donald Holder’s lighting, and Michael Ward’s hair and makeup.
The African elements of the score are enthralling, and the musical has even more songs by Elton and Tim Rice than the Disney film of the same name. The show’s sound world is enhanced by Steve Canyon Kennedy’s sound design and James Dodgson’s musical direction.
The Lion King has had an excellent cast every time I’ve seen it. On the recent press night at the Fox, the named characters and their performers were:
- Rafiki – Gugwana Dlamini
- Mufasa – Gerald Ramsey
- Sarabi – Diamond Essence White
- Zazu – Jürgen Hooper
- Scar – Spencer Plachy
- Young Simba – Jordan Pendleton
- Young Nala – Farrah Wilson
- Shenzi – Martina Sykes
- Banzai – Forest Vandyke
- Ed – Robbie Swift
- Timon – Nick Cordileone
- Pumbaa – John E. Brady
- Simba – Darian Sanders
- Nala – Kayla Cyphers
The alternates for Young Simba and Young Nala are Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Scarlett London Diviney.
When I reviewed “The Lion King” in 2017, I opined it would never stop coming to the Fox. “The Lion King always has a fresh audience when it comes here,” I wrote, “because each time, a new generation of children has reached theatergoing age. Pretty soon, parents who saw The Lion King as children will want to bring their own kids to the show.”
The pandemic interrupted the national tour but did not end it. The Lion King continues at the Fox through June 19.
—Gerry Kowarsky
Photo by Joan Marcus
