the Informer

Joan Marcus

Animals took the stage for the past three weeks at The Bushnell Theatre in Hartford, Conn.—not real animals of course. This weekend marked the closing of the Broadway production Disney’s “The Lion King” at The Bushnell. The first scene delights the audience with all the magic of Disney, commemorating the birth of the lion cub, Simba. First one animal, then two, then three, then more than the eye can easily count appear on stage in a flourish of color and movement. Cheetahs, giraffes, birds, elephants, gazelles, lions, lionesses, a rhinoceros and an important little monkey named Rafiki paraded across the stage and up the aisles to Elton John and Tim Rice’s memorable song, “Circle of Life.”

Simba plagues his father, Mufasa, with his curious and ornery disposition as a young cub. Simba’s curiosity, however, is only the result of his aspiration to fill the rather large paw prints of his father as King of Pride Rock.
Simba finds himself in many dangerous situations, partly due to his curiosity and partly due to his scheming uncle, Scar. Scar desires desperately to be King, and he will go to any ends to have his greatest wish granted, even murder. In a fantastically staged wildebeest stampede, Mufasa dies after saving Simba.

Simba, convinced he is responsible for his father’s death, flees the pride land, and Scar becomes King of Pride Rock. Far from home, and on the brink of starvation, Simba meets a meerkat, Timon, and a warthog, Pumba, who teach him their personal motto, “Hakuna Matata”—no worries.

It is not until years later that Nala, Simba’s childhood friend, stumbles upon Simba after leaving Pride Rock in lieu of becoming Scar’s queen.

Her presence forces Simba to face his past. In perhaps the most memorable scene in the production, Rafiki reminds Simba during “He Lives in You” (Reprise) that, although Mufasa is dead, his spirit lives on through his son. This provides Simba with the strength and courage to return to Pride Rock and reclaim his rightful heir as King. After an epic battle, Scar meets his demise. The final scene brings the story of “The Lion King” full circle with the birth of the next king, Simba’s son.

The entire performance is thoroughly enjoyable for audience members of all ages. The costumes and long practiced movements of actors will have small children convinced real animals are dancing and singing on stage. Adults will marvel at the amazing likeness. Not only do the costumes bring animals to life, but they also bring to life the African savannah and rainforest.

Intense scenes, such as the stampede, Mufasa’s appearance as a vision in the clouds and both Mufasa’s and Scar’s deathes are skillfully executed, employing many tricks of the theater.

It is unnecessary, however, to be able to recognize the technical aspects of the production in order to appreciate its greatness. One must simply sit back and enjoy the unique blend of traditional African and contemporary song and dance.

Rafiki, Zazu, Timon and Pumba will have you doubled over in laughter. Your lip will curl up in disgust in response to the antics of Scar and his army of hyenas. And Simba and Nala will capture your hearts. From beginning to end, Disney’s “The Lion King” is a theatrical spectacle never to be forgotten.