Review: THE LION KING at Detroit Opera House Never Fails to Impress

Now on stage at the Detroit Opera House is Disney's "LION KING," the larger than life spectacle about the circle of life in the African Pride Lands. This show is unique; firstly it's playing for nearly a month, secondly it has die-hard fans that know every single word of the script, and they were beyond thrilled with the performance. Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, LION KING is the most successful show in theatre history - it beat out Phantom and raked in over $7 billion. The costumes are the most imaginative ever constructed, and the score has hit tunes like "Can you feel the love tonight?"

LION KING is one of the wonderful shows organized by Broadway In Detroit. They have to be very careful what they schedule, because the economy is still shaky. The fact that this show runs all month is testimony to its popularity.

The stage musical plays out much the same as it does in the classic Disney film from 1994. King Mufasa mentors Simba who just can't wait to be king. Uncle Scar is evil and claws his way to the top, albeit for limited time. In this touring edition, the actors are outstanding. Voices are strong and have rich musical tone. They cut no corners with the monstrous elephant and giraffe costumes; the choreography is outstanding and the lighting delightful.

Most people have seen the show at some point before, but this is one of those musicals you can't get enough of. Some of the themes are a little heavy, and it would be good for parents to prepare smaller children for them before attending. Also, the performance is lengthy, so parents should take this into consideration when planning the evening.

This show is a solid hit, the gold standard in creative musical theatre. You can't go wrong with Disney's LION KING. It has earned its place in American history, and continues to deliver exceptional entertainment value.

"The Lion King" is running through Feb. 26 at the Detroit Opera House, with shows nightly (except Monday) and weekend matinees. Get tickets at the Fisher Theatre box office, the Detroit Opera House box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-866-870-2717, and online at www.ticketmaster.com, www.lionking.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com. Tickets start at $25. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program, and parking, are also available. For group sales (20 or more), email groups@broadwayindetroit.com or call (313) 871-1132. For additional information, call (313) 872-1000 or visit www.broadwayindetroit.com.