The Circle of Life

The Lion King

In one of the most moving opening numbers of any musical, the mandrill Rafiki calls out to every African animal, summoning them to Pride Rock for the presentation of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi’s newborn cub, Simba. From the wings, down the aisles and across the balconies come rhinos, giraffes, an elephant and her baby, a preening leopard, a herd of graceful gazelles and flocks of every species of flying birds to join “The Circle of Life.” It’s a beautiful, breathtaking, incomparable moment in live theatre that’s guaranteed to produce goosebumps and bring tears to your eyes. There’s really never been anything like it in theatre history, before or since.   

This spectacular new National Tour overflows with the very music, story and spectacle of the original 1997 Broadway production, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary and having played over 9,000 performances. The show won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Musical, along with awards for direction, choreography and scenic, costume and lighting design. The musical is choreographed by Garth Fagan, but is inventively directed by that creative genius of Broadway and film, Julie Taymor. Along with Michael Curry, Ms Taymor, a real Renaissance artist, also designed, every unique costume, mask and puppet seen in the show. In addition, Michael Ward also collaborated with her to create all the hair and makeup designs for the cast. 

This heartwarming story, written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, is told against a beautiful, monumental scenic design, by Richard Hudson. The play is illuminated with unbelievable special effects and dramatic lighting by Donald Holder. Gifted musical director Karl Shymanovitz conducts his full-sounding, pit orchestra, bringing to life all of the songs and musical interludes created by Elton John and Tim Rice, with additional music and lyrics by Ms Taymor, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer.  This production offers the same eye-popping wow factor as the current Broadway version.

Julie Taymor’s artistry sparkles everywhere, reminding audiences why her innovative, authentically African-inspired production about family loyalty won so many Tony Awards. The score, which is filled with tribal rhythms, lush ballads, and upbeat, inspirational melodies, has never sounded better. Familiar film favorites like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” soar along with the beautiful “They Live in You” and “Shadowland.”

The production features a massive cast of multitalented actors, singers, dancers and puppeteers, operating and inhabiting more than 200 gorgeous animated puppets and masks. But this family musical tale can’t captivate audiences if it’s all just technical razzmatazz; it has to have a stellar cast.  And it has in the rich dramatic and vocal talent of Gerald Ramsay as Mufasa; Darian Sanders as a ripped, stellar older Simba, with Jaylen Lyndon Hunter impressively playing Simba as a spirited teenage cub. Khalifa White is fierce and dynamic as Nala, with likable Scarlett London Diviney playing a spunky younger Nala. As the voice of authority for the Grassland, Rafiki, played alternatively with humor and wisdom by Gugwana Dlamini, opens the production with her thrilling vocals. 

Bossy male hornbill, Zazu, Mufasa’s majordomo and babysitter of young Simba, is comically played by Nick LaMedica. The villainous Scar, Mufasa’s jealous brother, is played with glorious beastly bravado by handsome Peter Hargrave. Scar’s sycophant hyena minions, the ever-hungry bootlickers, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, are portrayed with dark humor by Martina Sykes, Forest VanDyke and Robbie Swift, respectively. The comedy duo of Timon, the wisecracking meercat and Pumbaa, the flatulent warthog, who befriend young Simba and help him survive the desert and jungle, are winningly played by Nick Cordileone and John E. Brady.  The supporting company of talented performers all provide enough enthusiasm and skillful singing and dancing to make this musical the highlight of Chicago’s holiday season.

Do not, if at all possible, miss this new sensational, jaw-dropping National Tour of one of  Disney’s best-loved stories. Whether it’s your first or your fifth time visiting Pride Rock, audiences of all ages will find enchantment and essence in this new traveling production. Broadway’s praiseworthy adaptation of Disney’s popular 1994 animated film roars into Chicago for a much-welcome visit. It’s the perfect family show, filled with love, beauty, unbelievable creativity, vibrant color and multitudes of texture. And with its important themes of family devotion and the ecological balance in nature, this Circle of Life continues to ensue and enchant. It’s a must-see production you will never forget!   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 18-December 30 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all BIC box offices, at all Ticketmaster retail locations, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.