Lines at both merchandise stands at the Buell Theatre were long before the Oct. 24 performance of “The Lion King.” Dozens of theater-goers — adults and children alike — were excitedly clamoring over the tote bags, T-shirts and gold-embossed sweatshirts.
And this is for a show that’s nearly 30 years old, one that had been at the Buell five times before, starting in 2002.
When “The Lion King” — based on the 1994 Disney film — premiered at New York’s New Amsterdam Theatre in 1997, it wowed viewers with its artistry, music, costumes and imagination.
Twenty-eight years later, it is the No. 1 Broadway musical of all time, raking in $1.5 billion (with a “b”) and attracting 112 million viewers.
So now we should ask: Is it still awe-inspiring? Yes. And here are five reasons for that:
No. 5: The songs
It’s easy to forget that Elton John and Tim Rice are behind some of the more memorable songs in “The Lion King,” like “Hakuna Matata,” “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” (And once you start humming “Hakuna,” that earworm will be with you for a long time. You’re welcome.)
No. 4: The story
With references to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and the Bible, the 1994 Disney film tells the story of Simba, a lion cub who, betrayed by his evil uncle, witnesses the death of his father, Mufasa. Thinking it was his fault, Simba flees the Pride Lands, only to return as a young adult to reclaim his throne. The screenplay was written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton. (Fun fact: Colorado Springs’ own Chris Sanders had a hand as a production designer on the movie.)
No. 3: The broad appeal
There’s something in “The Lion King” for all ages: scatalogical humor (Pumbaa the warthog’s flatulence); adult themes (death and betrayal); the importance of family (although Scar’s last scene is a bit brutal; whatever happened to forgiveness, eh?); and the power of faith and love. Plus, the charm of the young actors is undeniable. (Kudos here to Peter Hargrave, who plays Scar with just the right touch of Snidely Whiplash.)
No. 2: The skill (and the funding)
The inventive direction of Julie Taymor — who also was the costume designer and had a hand in creating the puppets — and the big-bucks backing of Disney contributed greatly to the stage show’s success. The movie cost about $20 million to produce before its 1994 release. Then, Disney reportedly put $27.5 million into the Broadway musical. In 1998, the musical won six Tony awards, for Best Musical, Best Director/Musical (Taymor), Costume Design, Scenic Design, Lighting Design and Choreography. More proof of its popularity: “The Lion King” musical has been seen on six continents.
No. 1: The artistry
The puppetry is truly mind-blowing. The craft behind the loping gazelles, the lumbering elephant, the swooping vultures, the towering giraffes — all are absolutely brilliant, no matter how many times you see this show. There are more than 200 puppets on stage during each performance, representing 25 species. It’s easy to forget that there are actually people manipulating them. (I couldn’t take my eyes off the graceful cheetah, with its sexy, stealthy prancing).
CBS News reported that before “The Lion King” began its Colorado run, performers visited the Denver Zoo to watch how the animals moved — a reminder of the work put into striving for excellence.
“The Lion King” is at the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through Nov. 16. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Tickets at denvercenter.org.