Disney’s The Lion King by Peyton Webb

Disney’s The Lion King

Peyton Webb

Company of The Lion King

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Celebration. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of Disney’s The Lion King musical, and it describes the show to a tee. While it does honor the beloved 1994 film, as well the “circle of life” that connects us all, the core of the show is a beautiful and brilliant celebration of African culture. Under the direction of Julie Taymor, The Lion King has returned to the Orpheum in Minneapolis on Wednesday, March 28: 27 years after it opened at the same theater and became an instant hit. The Lion King certainly lived up to its impressive reputation, and is the definition of a must-see show.

Of the many aspects of the musical that have become iconic, the intricate animal pu

ppets are by far the most well-known and impressive. Talented ensemble members walk on stilts to create elegant giraffes, expertly maneuver the arms and legs of leopards or hyenas, and piece together the creatures of the African savannah right before your eyes. I watched the audience point out to each other the artistry and engineering feats, as I found myself in a constant state of amazement. The puppets are created and maintained by an impressive team of people, but were originally designed by Taymor and Michael Curry.

The puppets set the stage perfectly for the characters we know and love. Gerald Ramsey played an imposing Mufasa, and really had the air (and roar!) of a king. His interactions with Mason Lawson (one of the two young actors playing Young Simba) showed a playful and loving father-son bond, making Mufasa’s death all the more heart wrenching. As Simba grew up and was played by Darian Sanders in Act II, the lion’s charisma certainly did not fade. Sanders’s strong tenor voice was full of emotion, and made it hard to resist singing along. The only performance that left me wanting more was Peter Hargrave as Scar. He wasn’t quite able to capture the villain’s intimidating essence, especially in his lackluster performance of “Be Prepared.” However, he seemed to embody the hated-yet-beloved villain more in his later reprise of the same song. 

Mukelisiwe Goba as Rafiki

Photo by Matthew Murphy

From Scar to Simba, however, no character was as captivating and lovable as Mukelisiwe Goba in the role of Rafiki. Her hilarious lines and physical gags never got anything less than uproarious laughter. But Goba really shone in her powerful performances of “Circle of Life/Nants’ Ingonyama” at the start of the show. Not only was her voice stunning, it showed off the beauty of multiple African music styles and languages.

It’s no wonder that The Lion King has become a pillar of modern Broadway. Though I could write a novel on this extraordinary show, it’s really impossible to describe. The North American Tour is in Minneapolis through April 28, meaning there’s still plenty of time to see it yourself and experience the unique magics of Disney and Broadway combined. You really will feel the love onstage that night, and the tune of “Hakuna Matata” really will take away your worries.