[NEohioPAL]Berko review: LION KING (Playhouse Square Foundation) 8/4/07

[Roy Berko]

Spectacular ‘LION KING’ roars into State Theatre

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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

__COOL CLEVELAND.COM--

When it was proposed that the film ‘THE LION KING’ be
transformed into a stage musical, there were many
nay-sayers.   How could animated animals be
successfully portrayed by real people?  How could the
stage include such vast and sweeping elements as the
rolling African savannah and the plot-necessary
wildebeest stampede?  

Enter Julie Taymor.  She not only conceived the
concept for the production, but directed the show,
devised the costumes, co-designed the masks and
puppets, and wrote additional lyrics to supplement
those used in the Disney movie.  The result of her
creative genius is a spectacular visual and artistic
production.

The stage version opened in New York October 1997.  It
was an instant success, going on to win Tonys for Best
Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best
Lighting Design, Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and
Best Direction of a Musical (Julie Taymor).

The story line centers on the animal kingdom of the
African veldt.  Simba, a young lion prince avenges his
father's murder by his treacherous uncle.  In the
process he ventures into the jungle, discovers new and
eccentric friends, finds his true love, and discovers
his destiny.   The message?  “You can run from your
past, or learn from it.”

One of the concerns of attending a touring show,
especially of a production that has already been
around in its original traveling version, is that
there will be a watering down of theatrical elements. 
Fear not.  The production appearing on the State
Theatre stage is every bit as vibrant as the Broadway
production.  The sets, the costumes, the masks, the
special effects, the musical sounds, the acting
talent---they are all on our local stage.

Appearing on that stage are over 200 puppets; 25 kinds
of animals, birds, fish and insects; 12 bird kites;
18-foot giraffes; 39 hyenas; 52 wildebeests and a 13
-foot elephant.  It takes two 48-foot semi-trailers to
transport the production’s puppets from city to city. 
There are 143 people directly involved in each
production, including 53 cast members, 21 musicians,
17 wardrobe people, 5 hair/makeup artists, 3 puppet
craftsmen, 13 carpenters, 10 electricians and 3 sound
people. 

Right from the parade of the animals at the beginning
of the show when the human/puppets traverse down the
aisles, it is apparent that this is an audience
pleasing epic.  The applause and “ohs” and “ahs”
started immediately and continued throughout the show,
climaxing in a screaming ovation as the curtain fell.

Those familiar with the movie version, which has music
and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, will be
reacquainted with such songs as:  “The Circle of
Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Hakuna
Matata.”  Added are pieces from “The Rhythm of the
Pride Lands,” a recording inspired by the film, which
sets a sound and mood of South Africa. 

There are no well known names in the cast, but each
performer is excellent.  No second rate, “making their
acting debut” performers here, which is often the case
in some touring shows.

Since my “kid’s point of view” assistants, grandsons
Alex and Noah Berko, are at sleep away camp, I was
curious about how children were reacting to the show. 
Between the dark moments, the scary hyenas, the death
of the lion king and the explosions, I was wondering
how little ones were affected.  Most parents of those
four and above indicated the kids were thrilled,
except for the fact that “it wasn’t like the movie.” 
Cries of terror during certain scenes indicated that
some of the littler ones weren’t faring as well. 
Anyone planning on taking young children should be
aware that the show is long and that there are some
scary parts.  Watching an animated character die on
television is not the same as seeing a real person
expire or get attacked so it is essential to evaluate
the emotional sensitivities of your child.

Capsule judgment:   If you are going to see ‘THE LION
KING’ in its full glory, you need to get to the State
Theatre and see this, the final official touring
production.  Though local theatres may attempt to
stage the script, it will be nearly impossible to
reproduce the spectacle elements! 

‘THE LION KING’ runs through  September 9 at the State
Theatre.  According to the Playhouse Square
Foundation, good seats are still available.  For
tickets call 216-241 6000, 800-766-6048 or go on line
to www.playhousesquare.com.


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2002 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


       
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