Lion King Tour Question

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 12:05pm

We saw the current tour of "The Lion King" here in Richmond, VA last night. A question out of curiosity: when did "Morning Report" and the aerial ballet in "Can You Feel the Love" get cut? Is is just this tour, or has it happened on Bway as well? Not a complaint, actually, as the show always needed some trimming. Just curious. Thanks in advance!

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/1/12 at 1:49pm

They were cut around the time when the Vegas production started a few years back. The cuts were first done there then put in all the other productions since (Broadway, London, US Tour, Madrid, Singapore, etc)

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 10:25am

Interesting, since they were there at the tour stop at the Kennedy Center. As I said, the show always cut have used some tightening, and those were certainly good places to do it. Thanks!

(This cast seemed largely to be from the Vegas production as well.)

[BroadwayShowTime]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 1:40pm

Is Phindile Mkhize back playing Rafiki on tour?
She recently was in the Vegas production.

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 2:38pm

Not according to the website, but that is sometimes late in updating. Buy Zama left Vegas to join the tour and that's when Phindile took over in Vegas. Ms. Zama I think must now be the Rafiki who has been in the most productions worldwide, she is quite interesting on the South African CD also.

I've seen some clips of Phindile on youtube and she is phenominal, I wish more clips of her would surface.

As for the cuts, I still wished they would have cut out chow down, that for me is the only real cringe worthy moment in the show.

[BroadwayShowTime]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 3:23pm

"I've seen some clips of Phindile on youtube and she is phenominal, I wish more clips of her would surface."

I couldnt agree more! I had the chance to see Phindile twice on tour years ago. She is by far my favorite Rafiki!
I am surprised she never got that call to do Broadway.

[Justin D]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:07pm

it was rumored to be in the works a while ago, before she left the tour. But it seems that that role is rather stable in that it hardly changes, current NYC Rafiki and london Rafiki have been there forever.

I guess once they find someone who is fluent in the languages needed they stick with them, and i guess it helps the show because that actor becomes almost like a mother figure for the cast.

I first saw Tshidi Manye back in her Toronto days, so she has been there a long time, and it is one of my fav. roles in the show so until they change her, I dont think I will be going back, she is great and all, but LK in NYC isnt exactly cheap like Phantom where I can go back and see the same people over and over and it not matter.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 3:53am

Just caught the tour the other night. Thought I would share my thoughts here instead of creating a new thread. I know most of us on here don't really give this show a second thought anymore, but here are my thoughts nonetheless...

This tour is rough. There is no other way of putting it. VERY rough. From the cast to the set, the current tour Disney is trekking across the US is jaded and tired beyond belief. There is no life whatsoever in this circle. The cast looked bored out of their minds and like they would have rather been doing anything besides performing on that stage. I was bored out of my mind too, so I am glad we could connect on some level.

The cuts they have implemented were done in all the wrong places... taking away Zazu's ONLY song? Cutting the beautiful interlude and acrobatics during Can You Feel the Love Tonight? WHY? No question that this show was insanely long to begin with, but make cuts elsewhere where they can actually be justified.

One of my main beefs with this show has always been people talking about how big and intricate the physical production is. The costumes are intricate, beautiful, and elaborate. No question. But other than that, Lion King is BARE BONES. A sparse stage with major set pieces you can count on one hand. Besides Pride Rock and the Elephant Graveyard, there are not other big set pieces. The stage is just an empty hole graced by a few backdrops here and there. Oh, and Hakuna Matata... cutting the bugs that track across the stage when there is already so little going on onstage? Again, a change that just makes no sense to me. I will also re-voice my other MAJOR problem with this show... the first five minutes are so beautiful, chilling, and moving (arguably one of the most beautiful openings ever), but nothing else reaches that level of brilliance the rest of the night. It's like having the encore as the prologue.

There were lots of technical glitches the night I went. The pointless waterfall scene in Act 2 (which looks cheap and tacky anyways IMO) was hindered by the drop not falling on cue. For the Finale/Circle Of Life Reprise, Pride Rock did not track on. The performers flawlessly made it work (kudos to them), and it was clear they have an established set of cues to go to when this happens. Rafiki, Simba, and Nala all stood at the front and center of the stage and raised up the cub. Killed it. I get things happen, but for a show that has been on the road for years, has played each major venue across the country at least twice, and is charging exorbitant ticket prices, I think they should not be having these little kinks so often.

This was my fifth time seeing the show (family and friends love it and I will go along to just about anything), and each time I have seen it I have liked it less and less. There has really only been one time out the five where there were not at least three technical problems. The only reason I went back was because I was comped. I'm glad I saw it, (the opening number and Shadowland make it almost worth spending three hours on), but that was definitely my last time sitting through this show.

Updated On: 11/1/13 at 03:53 AM

[finebydesign]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 11:08am

"One of my main beefs with this show has always been people talking about how big and intricate the physical production is. The costumes are intricate, beautiful, and elaborate. No question. But other than that, Lion King is BARE BONES. "

The costumes themselves take up a huge amount of space. Combined with the set pieces, it is a massive show.

Posted: 11/1/13 at 12:35pm

No No No, DESPITE the HUGE and beautiful costumes the show is small and not that breath taking. I know just what you mean. Aside from all the flying in wicked, there is hardly any flying in wicked. If you cut all the singing in Les Mis, there would be next to no singing!

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 12:44pm

I saw Tshidi a while back and thought she was fabulous.

[bwayrose7]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 2:20pm

"The first five minutes are so beautiful, chilling, and moving (arguably one of the most beautiful openings ever)"

Couldn't agree with you more there. There's something about that number that just never loses its magic.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 3:56pm

No No No, DESPITE the HUGE and beautiful costumes the show is small and not that breath taking. I know just what you mean. Aside from all the flying in wicked, there is hardly any flying in wicked. If you cut all the singing in Les Mis, there would be next to no singing!


??? I personally don't think the costumes make up for the lack of scenery... Just my opinion.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 5:49pm

Considering that most of the show is set in a barren desert, the bare stage makes sense. Besides, the costumes are meant to evoke the setting and not just characters (such as the grasslands and the jungle)

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 5:56pm

^ fair enough. I see your point. I know I'm in the minority with my views on this show as a whole. The lighting is absolutely stunning. I will give it that.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 6:00pm

I think what makes the show dull is the source material… the movie wasn't all that special to begin with. I never got all the acclaim the film received. It was not as layered and interesting as some of the other Disney movies of its era such as Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 8:34pm

^ I could not agree more

[Magicslugs]

Posted: 11/1/13 at 9:44pm

I actually found the Bway version to be boring. I must be getting old