Late in the second act, we see silhouetted hyenas in profile, and the effect is breathtaking.Īnd the simple but striking use of perspective for the climactic stampede - using larger and larger puppets as the herd moves downstage, with drums beating heavily from percussionists on both sides of the stage - is nothing short of startling.
Even when it seems the pleasure of the costumes has been exhausted, Taymor shows a different angle that renews the vibrancy. Timon, for example, appears primarily as a human-size string puppet, but at other times is represented as a shadow puppet and a marionette. Many of the animals actually have different incarnations. And after introducing most of the animal creations in that opening march through the aisles, Taymor continues to find multiple ways of presenting the population of Pride Rock. Still, it’s the designs - including Richard Hudson’s colorful sets and Donald Holder’s lighting - that are the truest stars. Clifton Oliver, as the grown Simba, seems to know that while he’s the narrative center, he’s not the one who gets to steal the show, and his performance is confident and generous. In the second act, Moe Daniels, as the adult love-interest Nala, reignites the show with her powerhouse voice, and Fuschia, as the monkey Rafiki, anchors the thematic throughline without ever letting it get too heavy, and sings with a joyous exuberance that sets the tone. John Vickery portrays the evil uncle Scar with a juicy glee. Danny Rutigliano charms endlessly as meerkat Timon, who with his flatulent warthog buddy, Pumbaa (a very likable Bob Bouchard), raises the young Simba (highly talented 11-year-old Adrian Diamond, who alternates performances) after the cub runs away following the death of his father Mufasa (Rufus Bonds Jr.). The performers are excellent, many making easy the complex interaction between puppetry, voice and character. The masks and puppetry, created by Taymor and Michael Curry, make no effort to disguise the actors, and this decision alone keeps the show from becoming a visit to Disneyland. The flaws in the story, and the pleasant, but by no means transporting, music from Elton John, Tim Rice and others, are completely overwhelmed by the triumphant design and the invigorating creativity of the stagecraft.įrom the opening number, “Circle of Life,” forward, Taymor creates a convincing animal kingdom, populated with leaping gazelles (a personal favorite), elephants, giraffes, lions and others.
So how good is the stage version of “The Lion King,” really? It’s by no means perfect, but resist the hype as much as you will, the show remains beautifully stimulating as a pageant of theatrical imagination.
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