I’m probably the last person in North America to see The Lion King, The Musical. It’s been around since 1997. Diane, Patrick, and Katie saw a performance in Toronto about 10 years ago (I opted to go to The World’s Biggest Bookstore instead). But now The Lion King, The Musical arrives in Buffalo as part of our season ticket package at Shea’s Performing Arts Center. I saw the movie version back in 1994 so I thought a stage version would be superfluous. But Julie Taymor’s talent for spectacle turned it into a hit. Tonight we’ll see what the touring company presents. The Lion King, The Musical is here for a whole month so there must be a big market for this kind of production.
Enjoy the spectacle! Although I must admit that I prefer the movie the staging and the animals is just amazing. We first saw this for our 30th Anniversary in 2000, getting our tickets nearly a year in advance so we could get aisle seats in the tenth row of the orchestra. We then saw it two years later in London.
I’ve had opportunities to see THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL before this, but I’ve passed, Jeff. I’m more interested in Story than Staging.
Now I guess I’m the last person who hasn’t seen it.
Patrick, Katie, and Diane raved about THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL when they saw it in Toronto, Bill. The costumes are supposed to be incredible. But the movie was enough for me.
I haven’t seen it either, and doubt I will.
THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL will be in Buffalo for a whole month, Rick. People want to see this musical. I’ll see it, but my heart isn’t in it.
I haven’t seen it. So you’re not the last. Haven’t seen the movie either. For the same reason. This desire to make staging the most important aspect of theater is not for me.
I feel the same way you do, Patti. I’m all about the story and the characters. The costumes and the spectacle don’t interest me much.
You’re not the last person, George, I am. I haven’t seen The Lion King anything but it’s a favorite with many of my friends. I’ll just have to take their word for it.
THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL is touring the country, Beth. I’m sure it will show up in a town near you if you want to see it. Diane loves it.
George, I think that’s the best way to see it – with low expectations. That way you’re almsot sure to be impressed, whereas we were expecting too much the first time and were disappointed.
The best part was, unknown to us beforehand, a former student of Jackie’s played “Young Simba.”
I still prefer the cartoon.
My expectations are surely low, Jeff. I’ve dodged THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL for almost a decade. But tonight I’ll sit through it and see what all the fuss is about.
Haven’t seen it, not likely to. I saw the movie many times on VCR with the kids, though.
Now that I’ve seen THE LION KING, THE MUSICAL I have to admit that the costumes and spectacle are impressive, Bob. Worth seeing when it shows up in your neighborhood.