The Lion King Review – Broadway Show / Musical

The Lion King Review – The Background

The stage musical “The Lion King” is the creation of Irene Mecchi and Roger Allers. It’s director is Julie Taymor, and choreographer is Garth Fagan. It started its journey on Broadway with its official opening on November 13, 1997.

The Lion King has received the several nominations for awards, and is the winner of six 1998 Tony Awards.

The Lion King got Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Lighting Design.

In 1998 it got the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Musical, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Set Design of a Musical, Outstanding Costume Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Sound Design, Outstanding Puppet Design, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Tsidii Le Loka).

This musical also won the Outer Critics Circle Awards in categories like Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography, Best Set Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Tsidii Le Loka). It is also the winner of New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical category.

Till now, The Lion King musical has played in cities like Minneapolis, New York (Broadway), Tokyo, London, Toronto, Los Angeles, Hamburg, Sydney, Melbourne, Seoul, Paris, Honolulu, Johannesburg, Mexico City, Taipei, Las Vegas, Madrid and Singapore.

 

The Lion King Review – Plot and Story

The Lion King is the story of a young lion cub named Simba, who fights to admit the tasks of maturity and learns to be a king. He was born into the imperial family.

Simba used up his days looking at the extensive savanna grasslands. His royal father, Mufasa, wants Simba to see his place. Simba admires his royal father while avoiding the duty his position demands.

Simba’s evil uncle, Scar, plans a ridiculous catastrophe and takes his father’s life. Simba runs away from the Pride Lands, going away from his defeat and leaving the life he knew behind.

Simba starts once again, accompanied by two very funny and doubtful friends. When burden of liability and a frantic appeals come from the Pride Lands, Simba has to take on a frightening enemy, and accomplish his fate to be the Lion King.

Disney has gone to the story’s roots, its rich myths, powerful human drama and primitive African beats to get the classic 1994 film to life.

 

The Lion King Running Time

Running time of this musical is 2 hours and 30 minutes, with an intermission of 15 minutes.

 

Songs in The Lion King Broadway Show / Musical

Most of the songs for The Lion King have been written by Tim Rice, and Elton John is the musician and composer of most of the songs. Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Lebo M have also created and composed quite a good number of songs.

Julie Taymor is the writer of a single song, with Hans Zimmer as the musician. But Hans Zimmer has also worked with other musicians for some other songs.

 

Act-I of The Lion King

• Circle of Life– Rafiki and Ensemble sing this song
• The Morning Report– Zazu, Young Simba and Mufasa sing the song
• I Just Can’t Wait to Be King– Young Simba, Young Nala, Zazu and Ensemble sing the song
• Chow Down– This song is sung by Shenzi, Banzai and Ed
• They Live in You – Mufasa and Ensemble sing the song
• Be Prepared– Scar, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed and Ensemble sing the song
• Be Prepared (Reprise)- Scar and Ensemble sing the reprise version of the song
• Hakuna Matata– Timon, Pumbaa, Young Simba, Simba and Ensemble sing the song

 

Act-II of The Lion King

• One by One – Ensemble sings the song
• The Madness of King Scar- Scar, Zazu, Banzai, Shenzi, Ed and Nala sing the song
• Shadowland – Nala, Rafiki and Ensemble sing the song
• Endless Night – Simba and Ensemble sing the song
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight– Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Nala and Ensemble sing the song
• They Live in You (Reprise) – Rafiki, Simba and company sing the reprise version of the song.
• King of Pride Rock – Ensemble sings the song.
• Circle of Life (Reprise) – It is the reprise version which is sung by Ensemble.

 

The Lion King Review – Our Critique

There are number of very strong reasons why The Lion King has won a half dozen Tony Awards in 1998!

In The Lion King, displays driven by primal African beats, memorable tunes and a show of foreign African flora and fauna is brought to life in performance.

You have to keep concentrated from the begin to the end because of the powerfully physical stage work and innumerable visual surprises.

As love and redemption is the main theme of this musical, it has achieved a special place in viewers’ heart. The stage planning and decoration is also very good.

Lighting and sound effects are exemplary. “Circle of Life” and “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” are the most famous and popular songs of this musical.

 

The Lion King Review – This Broadway Show is Suitable For

The Lion King easily appeals to all ages. It is especially suitable for young kids due to its storyline – this is a story that most young children are familiar with!

This is also a great musical to be seen by those who enjoy grand sets, great effects and familiar songs.

 

Theater at Which The Lion King is Currently Playing

Minskoff Theater

Address: 200 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

 

What Other Viewers are Saying About The Lion King

 

The Lion King Review 1

Awesome show! Went with my daughter and grandchildren, they loved it. Went again with my sisters, they thought it was fantastic! Will plan to see it again!

 

The Lion King Review 2

It is hard to imagine a theater experience more exciting than this one. The elephant in the opening “Circle of Life” scene takes your breath away and the giraffes are a close second, and happily, we see them more than once.

What is almost as breathtaking as the “costumes” themselves is the authentic motion of all the animals as they move about the stage. My grandson’s praise was right on when he said “This real life one was much better than the movie!” It really cannot be adequately described, you have to see it for yourself.

 

The Lion King Review 3

From the grand opening sequence until the curtain call I was in amazement and awe. I’ve seen quite a few shows (mainly musicals) and this was by far the most amazing of them all. From the music that brought back great memories of my childhood, to the beautiful costumes and the well thought-out set I was impressed. The actors all had impressive voices.

I am so glad that I decided to see this show. It is truly one of a kind and tells a beautiful story. I also felt that it is great for all ages – I did not feel as though it was a child’s play, though there were many young kids in the audience. The writers really tried to incorporate something for everyone. It has been a week since I saw the play and I have had The Lion King music stuck in my head ever since.

 

The Lion King Review 4

I truly enjoyed the show from the opening to the closing. There isn’t a dull moment. The ability of the actors to capture the disposition of animal characters is amazing. This is a must see. You cannot be disappointed.

 

The Lion King Review 5

Wow! Amazing! Fantastic! Loved It! I had chills from the opening number! This play is phenomenal! The costumes, the singing, and the dancing kept our entire group (there were 7 of us) riveted the entire time.

This is a must see – I can not put into words how great this was. I wish I could contact the cast to let them know how much I enjoyed each and every talent on that stage. Don’t miss this one – you will not be disappointed!

 

The Lion King Review 6

First off, I would give this 100/5 stars if I could. I was so moved by this musical. Everything about the show is absolutely amazing, but the music is why I wish I could see it again.

The songs “Circle of Life” and “They/He Lives in You” will bring out some of the strongest emotions you will ever experience. I was fighting back tears of sheer amazement and joy for the entire performance.

This is a show for all ages and all people EVERYWHERE. If I ever am in NYC again, or anywhere else where this is playing, I would not hesitate for 1 second to buy a ticket and go again. The show was just amazing. I cannot say enough good things about it.

I bought the soundtrack after the show because I enjoyed the music so much. The songs mentioned before, especially “Return to Pride Rock/Circle of life (refrain)” will bring you to tears if you just sit and soak in the beauty of the music. Also, the chorus of singers dressed in traditional African clothing, were breathtaking. See it! Then see it again!

 

The Lion King Review – Tickets and Discounts

If you are visiting New York City and are undecided about which Broadway show to see, The Lion King is definitely a great option – especially if you are visiting with kids and teenagers.

As you can see from The Lion King review, it is an evergreen musical with a familiar story, and would greatly enhance the experience of your NYC trip!

Below, you can find discounted tickets for The Lion King. Book in advance:

• To get great seats at the lowest price
• To avoid sold-out shows (The Lion King is very frequently sold out)
• To save your precious time by not standing in ticket lines when you are vacationing in New York City!

Click here now to book the tickets at the lowest price!