[NEohioPAL]BERKO + SPECIAL GUESTS REVIEW OF THE LION KING

Roy Berko royberko at yahoo.com
Fri Jul 4 13:46:00 PDT 2003


‘THE LION KING’ GETS GLOWING REVIEW FROM ALEX AND NOAH

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

The major theme of ‘THE LION KING--THE BROADWAY
MUSICAL’ centers on the circle of life.  The show,
through music, dance and the spoken word illustrates
how each life has a beginning, an existence, and an
ending, yet continues on through a new generation. 
What was more appropriate, therefore, than attending a
production of the Disney spectacular with those who
are the keys to my circle of life...with my grandsons
Noah, age 6 and Alex, age 7 1/2 (not 7, but 7 and
one-half).  And, since youngsters are a major
component of the audiences for the musical, what is
more appropriate than looking at the show through the
eyes of children. 

For those of you who have been hiding outside the
savanna and missed the movie, haven’t heard the sound
track, been subjected to the commercialization which
included everything from McDonald Happy Meal toys to
lunch boxes and t-shirts, ‘THE LION KING: THE BROADWAY
MUSICAL’ celebrated its world premiere in 1997.  It
has been playing to sold out audiences ever since.  

Based on the Disney animated movie, ‘THE LION KING’
the play has drawn rave reviews for its dazzling
special effects, staging and music.   The spectacle
uses masks and puppetry to combine with live acting to
capture the audience’s imagination.  

The show, which won almost every major theatrical
award,  broke new ground in theatrical technology,
bringing to the stage such vast and sweeping elements
as the rolling African savannah.  The staging includes
more than 200 puppets which represent 25 kinds of
animals, birds, fish and insects.  Eighteen-foot
exotic giraffes and a 13’ long elephant march down the
aisles.  There are 125 ants, 39 hyenas, and 52
wildebeasts prancing before our eyes.  The show’s
original director said that she wanted a feeling of
elegance.  She succeeded!

The music by Tim Rice, Elton John, Hans Zimmer, and
Lebo M. is a combination of African rhythms which
collide with pop songs to create a memorable sound. 
The blended African-style choral arrangements engulf
the viewer.  That the show should be music-centered is
entirely appropriate.  In Africa, lives are permeated
with music. Music has a function in society beyond
simple entertainment -- songs are to teach, encourage,
mourn and heal. Music serves a social function,
helping to strengthen the circle of society. 

The story?  It is sunrise on the savanna. All the
animals gather at Pride Rock to see Mufasa, the Lion
King, and his queen introduce their newborn son,
Simba.  Simba grows into a cocky young cub. Mufasa
tells Simba that everything lives together in a
delicate balance called the Circle of Life.  Life
appears good for Simba’s future.  But the plot
thickens when Scar, Musafa’s evil brother, plans the
deaths of Simba and Mufasa so that he, along with his
evil henchmen, the hyenas, can rule the kingdom. Scar
orchestrates a stampede and manages to kill Mufasa. He
then convinces Simba that Mufasa's death was all
Simba's fault. Scar tells Simba to leave the
Pridelands and never return.   The cub flees and life
no longer appears good.  Well...you get the idea.
Of course, through obvious twists and turns everything
ends up happily.  This is a Disney production...how
else could it end?  

So, what did Alex and Noah think?  "It was great!"
were their synchronized screams of joy.

What was the story about?  Alex spent ten minutes
giving a detail-by-detail recounting of the plot, with
Noah adding details.  Obviously the show clearly gets
its idea across and, of course (as their grandfather
knows), Alex and Noah are smart kids so they got the
point.

Their favorite part?  "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Close
follow-up was "Hakuna Matata" the song which
introduces us to Simba’s new friends, a warthog and a
weasel.  
What does "Hankuna Matata" mean?  No problem for the
dynamic duo...it means, (sung, of course) "no worries
of the rest of your days."  

Who did you like the best?  Noah’s face lit up 
immediately and giggled, "The funny guy...the green
one." He was referring to Rafiki, who acts as our
narrator and visionary on what is to happen.  The two
boys then demonstrated the moves from "I Just Can’t
Wait to Be King" which includes a series of
hip-wiggling gyrations.  Hey, these kids did love this
show!

What did you learn?  Alex responded, "Be kind to
animals." Noah stated, "Be respectful." 

The unqualified dual opinion, "I want to see "Lion
King" again!"

Don’t be surprised if some children, like the 5-year
old sitting in front of us burst into tears at the
death of Mufasa.  This is a "real" person, not a movie
cartoon character.  He wailed, "I don’t like those
bad-guy hyenas at another part of the action.   It
might be wise to avoid taking a very sensitive child
to see the show.  Also, be aware that this is a long
production.  Evening performances may be a "stay
awake" problem.  Things were not helped on opening
night when the curtain went up 20 minutes late.

Taking the kids on-line to www.lionking.org would be a
good introduction and playing the CD on the way to the
theatre helps set the mood.  As for us, in the car the
next day Alex and Noah both wanted to listen to
"their" music..."THE LION KING--THE BROADWAY MUSIC."

The State Theatre has aided the little ones by making
booster seats available.  Great idea!  Thanks
Playhouse Square Association.

The show runs through August 17.  for tickets, call
216-241-6000 or 800-766-6048 or go on line to
www.playhousesquare.com.

THANKS ALEX AND NOAH BERKO FOR BEING OUR GUEST
REVIEWERS!

This and other reviews and commentaries about local
theatre can be heard on "Action Talent Live," WERE-AM
(1300-AM) on Fridays from 1 to 2 PM.


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