Stage show assumes its own, distinct personality

By Shari Goldstein Stern

From the first note of Elton John’s “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba” opening Disney’s “The Lion King” at Broadway Dallas, the theater ignites with throbbing drumbeats, indigenous languages and pulsating lights. Rhythmic music, trained vocals and tribal dance all set the stage for exhilarating two-and-a-half cool hours of theater at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

This show is a kingdom where screeches, roars and growls set the atmosphere. Howls, buzzes and grunts bellow from dozens of wild jungle beasts, all expressing themselves at once.

The Tony Award-winning musical, “The Lion King,” has taken the world on one wild ride since it premiered at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre in 1997 and opened on Broadway a few months later. 

You may be one of many who ask, “Which came first; the Broadway or film version?” The film, “Disney’s The Lion King,” was released in 1994, three years earlier than the live production. 

There is a special treat in the current Broadway touring company, which will run in Dallas for a full month, through July 3. An adolescent actor playing Young Simba, Bryce Christian Thompson, has an astonishing career path to consider. 

His vocals are crisp and theatrical, and he keeps up with and without the adult dancers impressively. While delivering authentic dialogue and appearing perfectly at home onstage, the young man is loaded with personality, stealing many scenes. Occasionally, the conversation turns modern, with lines from Young Simba like, “I got this.”

Thompson emotes his relationship with his friend and future partner, Nala, realistically. Remember Bryce’s name and watch for it to appear many times in this star’s inevitably bright career.

Zazu, an African, red-billed hornbill, as played by Drew Hirshfield, is a huge character, not in size, but in ability. His presence fills the stage with humor. He would be very hard to miss.

In case you have trouble identifying the hilarious, skinny little animal who accompanies Pumbaa and Simba on their adventures, Timon is a talkative, often outrageous Meerkat whose mission appears to be driving his buddy, Pumbaa, crazy.

Pumbaa, on the other hand, is physically equipped to carry a meerkat around on his back for a couple of hours. He is a weighty wart hog who engages in spats with Timon regularly, while they regularly bring laughs together.

As patrons celebrate the Centennial of the Music Hall at Fair Park, the theater’s stage is dramatically lit in shades of orange and gold, depicting a sky swept with sunrises and sunsets.

Dancers who operate mechanical puppet animals, such as zebras, gazelles and hyenas, lumbering down the aisle and sauntering up to the stage are mesmerizing. Hippos, tigers and giraffes are so realistic in costume but mainly in their movement and dance, that it’s easy to get caught up in their world.

There are even costumes reminiscent of grasslands, a natural habitat for many lions. Dancers have headpieces with grass growing from them. The sense of a dancer’s balance required to move in the costume while creating the human scenery is noteworthy. Also, a Tony Award winner, Julie Taymor’s costumes continue to take your breath away.

According to one patron: “The way the actors looked down and you saw the animal’s face on top of their heads was very innovative. You felt like you were looking straight into their faces.”

Athleticism in this company is a joy to watch. Adding rhythm and overall talent makes for an incomparable experience. When a mechanical elephant, operated by dancers inside, saunters down the aisle and lumbers onto the stage, it is a thrill. Two children, a brother and sister in the audience, identified that as their favorite part of the show.

It would be impossible for patrons who have seen the 1994 film “Disney’s The Lion King” to avoid making comparisons. However, onstage, the story assumes its own, distinct personality. Some of the humor comes from unexpected places, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments.

One can’t overlook Elton John’s magnificent score, Tim Rice’s brilliant lyrics and the orchestra’s intensity under the direction of Karl Shymanovitz.

It’s no surprise that some of the many children in the audience brought their own Simba stuffed animals so they could see the show, too. One young man brought his Simba and his Nala, both with flat fur from cuddling, so they could also enjoy the show together.

Broadway Dallas’ “The Lion King” presents imagination overload with its unique storytelling, ingeniously interpreted costumes, a talented cast, remarkable music and the feel-good humming, “I just can’t wait to be King,” that can be heard across the parking lot.

“The Lion King” runs through July 3 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. For tickets and information, visit broadwaydallas.com or call 800-653-8000. The Music Hall at Fair Park is located at 909 1st Ave. in Dallas.