I've been looking forward to this day since December, when my mom bought tickets for us (me, my mom, my grandma and my grandpa). I didn't even know they were coming to Madison, so if it weren't for her I probably wouldn't have known they were so close!
Once we arrived at the beautiful Madison Overture Center, I could tell that this was going to be bigger than life. Imagine! Just for one day--everywhere you went--people were just as excited about something related to The Lion King as you were! Well, maybe not quite as excited...
Here is the banner that they hanged in the Overture Center's dome.
I was a bit surprised with the number of kids there. I was expecting to see a lot more, actually. The theatre was packed--no doubt--but there weren't as many kids there as I thought there would be. There were a few kids my age. Most of the people were in their 40's, 50's, 60's. When my family went to Mannheim Steamroller last December, it seemed like the same type of crowd. I guess I was expecting that it would appeal to young folks a little more, but oh well. Anyway..moving on.
I spent all my cash right away for a fancy-looking paperback book about the play. I'll scan it later for you. I already had a book about the play, but this one looked more recent and more localized. And of course as any collector would say...a collection never stops growing. Or something like that.
Here is the big room adjacent to the theatre. Its really spectacular but this photo obviously doesn't give it much of an appeal.
So--I'm out of cash already. I see 3 big lines in front of a souvenir stand. Finally! Souvenirs that I actually wanted! I checked out the stand so that I would know what I wanted after the play finished.
Here is the souvenir stand. You must forgive me for these horrible photos. They were taken with my phone, which is about 5 years old.
When the time comes to enter the theatre, I see a big red patterned backdrop. I took a picture of it, even though we're not supposed to take pictures in the theatre ^^
That backdrop alone got my heart pumping. I knew I was in for a spectacular display! I was right, of course. The first few seconds of the play had the audience ooooo-ing and ahhhh-ing at the beautiful rising sun and the famous beginning to the song Circle of Life. I knew what I was getting into with the costumes and the exotic and elegant feel of the play, but nothing could prepare me for it. By the end of Circle of Life the entire audience was clapping and I was seriously holding back tears from its beauty. They did such a great job!
I won't ruin too much of the play for those who wish to see it. If you don't want to know details about the play, don't read this paragraph. I won't say much. Little Simba and Nala were simply adorable the way they danced and played around the stage. Zazu was awesome! They totally pin-pointed his character. Mufasa had swords! How cool! I really love how they kept the jokes from the film and added some jokes. They might have overdid it a bit with Pumbaa's flatulence problem ^^ but I can't complain. I loved the way they portrayed Mufasa's death. The play gives a bit more mourning of the king than the film does (one of the few things I huff at when I watch the film. But it is understandable since the film was made for kids. They don't want to depress the kids, right? ^^) Oh, and Ed spoke once. O.o how weird.
I was interested to see how they would capture the scenes such as "Just Can't Wait to be King" and The Stampede, which would be difficult in the theatre...at least in my opinion. I think they did a very good job with all the scenes, though.
My mom and grandparents enjoyed it immensely, although we stopped talking about if after about 3 minutes on the ride back home. So...I'm hoping I can talk to some people about it ^^
Now for some of the souvenirs I bought after the play (with my credit card, lol...)! I really wanted to buy like everything..they had t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, keychains, masks, snowglobes, magnets, plushies. In the end, I got 2 posters, that book, a snowglobe and a t-shirt. I actually asked (and I think I paid for) a keychain, but the lady must have forgot to put it in the bag. It was so busy. And it was a cute little Simba keychain ^^ Too bad. I got 2 posters because I plan on opening one and keeping the other rolled up in plastic for safekeeping. The snowglobe is cute. It plays Circle of Life when you wind it up ^^ Here's a picture:
And here's the t-shirt I bought. If MLK members ever meet up somewhere, this is what I'll be wearing. Do you think you could spot me out of a crowd? =P (ehm...k this picture sucks. The t-shirt is actually the brightest yellow/gold ever but my phone obviously is bad).
Here is the cast (in order of appearance):
Rafiki: Phindile Mkhize
Mufasa: Dionne Randolph
Sarabi: LaShanda Reese-Fletcher
Zazu: Tony Freeman
Scar: Brent Harris
Young Simba: Elijah Johnson, Jerome Stephens, Jr.
Young Nala: Jamariana Tribble, Madai Monica Williams
Shenzi: Andrea Jones
Banzai: Omari Tau
Ed: Ben Roseberry
Timon: Jered Tanner <- standby. Normally played by Tyler Murree
Pumbaa: Ben Lipitz
Simba: Andre Jackson
Nala: Marja Harmon
Now, from what I'm gathering, none of these are the original Broadway cast? I had a feeling some were left? When did Heather Headley stop being Nala?
Well, that's all I have to say about that. I'm looking through the book I got now. There's a lot of pretty pictures and some information about the creators of the play like Julie Taymor. I'll show it to you all eventually.
I just have to say..I really enjoyed the play. I would go again in a heartbeat. I would go tomorrow but I can't because I'm watching a movie. I would go on Monday but I'm back at campus working fulltime for the summer. By the time I would get back near Madison again, they'll be gone.
From what I saw the play is still drawing in crowds all over the world. I'd like to say they're gonna last 15 more years, but nothing is guaranteed so be sure you see this play as soon as you can.
Here's a little extra I copied from the Overture Center's website:
[quote]About the Performance
Experience the phenomenon of Disney’s The Lion King. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life by award winning director Julie Taymor. Thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”and “Circle of Life.” Let your imagination run wild at the Tony® Award-winning Broadway leaps onto the Overture Hall stage.
We encourage you to visit the Overture Center Ticket Office to purchase box seats which have been released for sale. These seats are limited view. A few performances also have seats in the front few rows which are available at the Ticket Office. Otherwise, the best availabilites are for the Tuesday and Wednesday performances.[/quote]
Bad lion you! ^^ But good for us I suppose. 
Only a handful of kids under thirteen these days are fans of the good ol' classics. ^^ (I count myself as one because I became a fan because I became a fan at age 11) Now it's all about fake pop icons like Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers crap 
I'm glad you had fun ^^ BTW what's the Overture website? *wants to know when they'll be around NJ* Looking forward to those pictures!! 
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