BWW Reviews: Pantages Brings Back Ever Reliably Appealing LION KING for the Holiday Season

The Lion King/book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi/music & lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice/additional music & lyrics by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M. Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, and Julie Taymor/directed by Julie Taymor/Pantages Theatre/through January 12, 2014

Unbelievable, but I have not seen The Lion King since its Los Angeles premiere in 2000. The Broadway premiere was in 1997 and generated so much excitement which still lingers from the moment you enter the theatre lobby and witness throngs of people purchasing T-shirts, tote bags and miniature Simba dolls at the memorabilia stand. The musical was a phenomenon ... and remains so due to its pageantry, superb score by Elton John and Tim Rice, which incorporates actual native folk tunes, and use of actors playing animals in full regalia as well as tremendously skilled puppetry. It is a show of unparalleled proportions. Now at the Pantages, where it originally premiered in 2000, this production is docked through the holidays until January 12, 2014...and you do not want to miss it! Bring the new generations of kids who will soak in the beauty and glory of life.

The 1994 Disney film of The Lion King is perhaps my all-time favorite animated movie. It makes me laugh and cry 'til it hurts. It is a story about life, the lion cub Simba's story that becomes symbolic of all life, including human. Animals are creatures of habit like humans and have the same fears and feelings of hunger, persecution/justice...and love. It all works out the same in the "Circle of Life", where we pass on our heritage from generation to generation...and that includes everything that goes along with it, good and bad. Mufasa teaching Simba the lesson of "They Live in You" in Act I and Rifiki's repetition of it "He Lives in You" in Act II never ceases to make me cry, as I have learned how much my parents are now a part of me. It's our role in life to carry on the tradition of what is right and rectify what is wrong, just as Simba does in ousting Scar from his rightful place as King of Pride Rock.

I did notice that the opening number seemed somewhat scaled down, and that more animals were entering the stage from the wings than from the aisles, perhaps due to space constraints. It did not detract from the spectacle, however. When you see actors on stilts as a giant zebra or those inside an elephant making it strut around in simulated natural fashion, it is truly amazing to behold.

The entire cast are fantastic under Julie Taymor's brilliant original direction. Patrick R. Brown is deliciously devious and cunning as Scar. L. Steven Taylor makes Mufasa appropriately imposing and stalwart. Jelani Remy as Simba has a strong voice and is wonderfully credible and nimble in his re-enactment of maturation and growth. Young Simba (alternated by Jordan A. Hall and Nathaniel Logan Mcintyre) is also a strong presence as are Nya Cymone Carter and Zyasia Jadea Page alternating as the young Nala. Nia Holloway as grownup Nala has one of the most powerful voices onstage next to Brown Lindiwe Mikhize as Rifiki, who expectedly steals the show with her breathtaking voice full of wisdom. Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa and Nick Cordileone as Timon offer hilarious comedy relief in their scenes especially their opener "Hakuna Matata". What upliftng joy in every note!

Garth Fagan has accomplished awesome choreography and Taymor's costumes and Richard Hudson's lovely sets work colorfully. Donald Holder's bold lighting design and Steve Canyon Kennedy's sound work wonders in giving the show its ecstatic life force.

The Lion King is a treat for this holiday season for kids of all ages. Rush to get tix, while they are still available at the Pantages box office through January 12, 2014!

http://www.hollywoodpantages.com/