Fit to be lionized

When in New York, don’t fail to watch a Broadway show. And if you are Filipino, do not forget to watch Les Miserables, if only to see world-class artist Lea Salonga. Should you have extra dollars (or generous relatives, like my cousins Mano Claro and Mana Letty, who offered to sponsor the next Broadway show), never fail to see Lion King with the whole family, of course!

Nope, don’t tell me you won’t, as you had already seen the movie with your kids.

Lion King the movie is not and will never be the same as the theater show. And yes, every single cent you spend on the multi-awarded Broadway stage musicale is worth the experience.

Also currently playing in London, Hamburg, Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Paris, the Disney theater production is said to have been watched by over 34 million people from around the world. It is based on the Disney film Lion King which depicts a father’s great love for his child, risking his very own life to save his son’s.

And, as many have observed, it is a retelling of the Biblical story of the prodigal son who returns to his homeland a mature, responsible person, ready to take on his designated role in life, in this case, for Simba, as the true King of Pridelands, which position was usurped from his well-loved father Mufasa by his villainous uncle Scar.

Directed by Julie Taymor, the musicale has won more than 70 major awards worldwide, including the Tony Awards for Best Musicale, Best Scenic Design of a Musicale, Best Costume Design of a Musicale, Best Choreography, and Best Direction for a Musicale. (Whew!) The book (music and lyrics) is a collaboration between Sir Elton John and Tim Rice, with the already recognizable songs given new life: Circle of Life, Can You Feel the Love Tonight?, the unforgettable Hakuna Matata with pulsating beats by live drummers visible on both sides of the theater that would make you want to learn how to play drums that very moment, and the moving a cappellas that remind me of my Opera Band days.

There are four things in the musicale that truly impressed me: First is the beautiful, well-researched African choreography with complicated dance sequences where dancers do such difficult steps while in their heavy, elaborate costumes. Second is the use of masks and puppetry which I have never witnessed before, where you see both puppet and actor. The actor is not hidden behind his puppet or mask (acting is hard enough, but to concentrate on your acting and manipulating your heavy puppet or carrying your heavy mask makes the performance infinitely more challenging).

Third, the actors’ elaborate costumes remind one of various jungle animals. Seeing those animals on parade is breathtaking. Some of the costumed actors even use devices to move their costumes. The actors portraying and dressed in giraffes actually walked on stilts (unbelievable!).

And fourth, the amazing African sets and sceneries with mood changes caused by the impressive lighting design help make it a visually-riveting experience that would gain everyone’s attention, from the very young to the very old.

So forget those Ferragamo shoes, BCBG outfits and Versace or Dior sunglasses you have been saving your dollars for. Go ahead, spend it on Lion King with your family. Better yet, call that rich cousin of yours!

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