The Lion King at the Detroit Opera House

Hello all!

Today, I am attending a performance of Hamilton at the Fisher Theater. This musical, under the direction of Julie Taymor, features actors in animal costumes crafted from natural materials, alongside large, hollow puppets representing the characters from the movie. While the production includes the beloved music from the Disney theatrical version, it also introduces new compositions by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Tsidii Le Loka, and Hans Zimmer. The musical premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis before embarking on a tour of various theaters. It is currently residing at the Minskoff Theater in the heart of New York City's Theater District. The show is divided into two acts. Below is our review of the performance.

Act 1:

As the sun rises, Rafiki the mandrill summons the animals to gather at Pride Rock. She greets King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi before introducing their cub to the assembled animals ("Circle of Life"). Meanwhile, Mufasa's brother, Scar, mourns his missed opportunity to take the throne. At her baobab tree, Rafiki paints a portrait of the cub and consults the spirits to reveal the new prince's name: Simba. As time passes, Simba grows into a playful young cub ("Grasslands Chant"). Mufasa shows Simba the Pride Lands from the top of Pride Rock and explains that everything exists in a delicate balance called the Circle of Life. Mufasa warns Simba not to venture beyond the boundaries of the Pride Lands, pointing to a shadowy area in the distance. Zazu, a hornbill who serves as Mufasa's advisor, arrives and gives his daily report on the state of affairs in the King's domain.

Simba visits his Uncle Scar, who intrigues the young lion by mentioning the forbidden elephant graveyard. Meanwhile, the lionesses go hunting ("The Lioness Hunt"). Simba invites his best friend, a female cub named Nala, to join him on a trip to the elephant graveyard. He deceives the lionesses about their destination, and Sarafina (Nala's mother) and Sarabi allow the cubs to go, accompanied by Zazu. Simba and Nala devise a plan to shake off Zazu, while Simba boasts about his future role ("I Just Can't Wait to Be King").

The cubs reach the graveyard and start exploring. Zazu catches up, but they encounter three hyenas: Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. The hyenas plan to eat the intruders and revel in their discovery ("Chow Down"). Mufasa arrives to save the cubs and scares off the hyenas.

Mufasa is upset and disappointed with Simba's reckless disobedience, explaining the distinction between courage and recklessness. He tells Simba about the great kings of the past who watch over everything from the stars ("They Live in You"). Mufasa assures Simba that he will always be there for him. Later, he talks about Simba's actions with Zazu, who reminds Mufasa of his own troublemaking tendencies at Simba's age.

At the elephant graveyard, Scar reveals his plan to eliminate Mufasa and Simba to claim the throne. He recruits an army of hyenas, promising them they will never go hungry if they support him ("Be Prepared"). Scar leads Simba to a gorge and tells him to wait there. On Scar's signal, the hyenas trigger a wildebeest stampede into the gorge ("The Stampede"). Scar alerts Mufasa that Simba is in danger. Mufasa rushes into the stampede to save Simba, but as he tries to climb to safety, Scar pushes him back into the herd, leading to his death. Scar convinces Simba that he is to blame for his father's death and tells him to flee, then orders the hyenas to kill him. Simba escapes, but the hyenas report to Scar that he has died. Rafiki and the lionesses mourn the loss ("Rafiki Mourns"). Scar takes the throne and allows the hyenas to enter the Pride Lands. Rafiki returns to her tree and changes the drawing of Simba, while Sarabi and Nala grieve silently. In the desert, Simba collapses from heat exhaustion. Vultures begin to circle, but are scared away by Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog. Simba feels guilty for Mufasa's death, but the duo brings him to their jungle home, introducing him to their carefree lifestyle and insect diet ("Hakuna Matata"). Simba grows into adulthood in the jungle. Overall, the first act closely follows the plot of Disney's The Lion King movie. My only wish is that they had shown more of the "I Just Can't Wait To Be King" part of the musical. The puppetry so far, though, was amazing.

Act 2:

Act 2 opens with the chorus in vibrant costumes, featuring bird puppets and kites ("One by One"). As the song ends, vultures and gazelle skeletons appear. Under Scar's rule, the Circle of Life is broken, and a drought afflicts the Pride Lands. Zazu, Scar's captive, listens to his complaints. The hyenas grumble about the food shortage, but Scar is preoccupied with his lack of affection and haunted by Mufasa's visions ("The Madness of King Scar"). Nala confronts Scar about the famine, leading him to declare she will be his queen. She rejects him and leaves to seek help, receiving blessings from Rafiki and the lionesses ("Shadowland"). In the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa want to rest, but Simba is restless and leaves, with them following. Simba jumps across a river, challenging Timon, who falls in and clings to a branch over a waterfall, calling for help. Simba, frozen by a flashback of Mufasa's death, eventually rescues Timon. Simba feels guilty for Timon's near-death due to his impulsiveness.

The three friends lie down to sleep and discuss the stars. Simba recalls Mufasa's words, but his friends mock the idea of deceased kings watching over them. Feeling isolated, Simba leaves and bitterly remembers Mufasa's promise to always be there for him ("Endless Night"). Rafiki hears the song carried by the wind, joyfully realizes Simba is alive, and adds a mane to her painting of Simba. In the jungle, Pumbaa is chased by a lioness. Simba rescues him and recognizes the lioness as Nala. She is astonished to find Simba alive, knowing he is the rightful king. Timon and Pumbaa are confused, but Simba asks them to allow him and Nala some privacy. Timon laments the end of Simba's carefree lifestyle ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). Nala informs Simba about the devastated Pride Lands, but Simba, burdened by guilt over Mufasa's death, refuses to return. Alone, Simba encounters Rafiki, who tells him that his father lives on ("He Lives in You"). Mufasa's spirit appears, declaring Simba as the one true king who must assume his place in the Circle of Life. Reinvigorated, Simba sets out for home. Nala wakes Timon and Pumbaa to inquire about Simba, and Rafiki shares the news. They catch up with Simba in the Pride Lands, witnessing the devastation. Timon and Pumbaa distract hyenas, allowing Simba and Nala to reach Pride Rock.

Scar calls for Sarabi and demands an explanation for the lionesses' failure to hunt. Sarabi challenges him about the scarcity of prey and angrily compares him to Mufasa. In response, Scar hits her, claiming he is ten times the king Mufasa was. Enraged by this, Simba reveals himself. Scar manipulates Simba into admitting guilt for murder and corners him. Believing he has the advantage, Scar taunts Simba by confessing to killing Mufasa. Angered, Simba regains his strength and forces Scar to confess the truth to the lionesses. Simba's allies battle the hyenas while Simba confronts Scar at the top of Pride Rock. Scar pleads for his life, blaming the hyenas. Out of mercy, Simba allows him to leave, but Scar attacks again. Simba deflects the attack, causing Scar to fall from the cliff. The hyenas, having overheard Scar's betrayal and still hungry, turn on him. With the battle over, Simba's friends recognize him as the rightful king. Simba climbs Pride Rock and roars across the kingdom. The Pride Lands are revitalized, and the animals gather in celebration as Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub, continuing the Circle of Life. Overall, The Lion King follows the same plot as the movie with additional songs and subtle differences. The stage effects and puppetry are what make this Broadway show shine. If you are passionate about set design and puppetry, this is a must-see Broadway show!

How We Rate It:

The Storyline: 5/5 Tikis

The Music Selection: 5/5 Tikis

Cast Selection: 5/5 Tikis

The Set: 5/5 Tikis

A Look at the Stage for The Lion King

As Always, Keep On Coast'N'