The Lion King: Fun for the Whole Family

Yes it is.

That is the answer to first question every parent asks about the lavish Broadway musical The Lion King. The question is, of course, is it appropriate for kids?

If your kids can handle the movie they can certainly handle the musical.

What about parents? Is The Lion King “appropriate” for adults or do you need a little liquid courage to endure Simba and the rest of the pride?

You’ll be happy to know that The Lion King is one-hundred percent appropriate for adults. It’s a great show for everyone even if they don’t particularly care for musicals or Disney.

There is no other musical currently running on Broadway that is more deserving of the description “magical” than the Lion King. The costumes, the staging, and the music are like nothing you’ve ever seen or heard before. It’s a truly breathtaking experience.

Instead of some actor prancing around in a corny lion suit—and yes we’re referring to Cats— the performers are decked out in gorgeous animal costumes, replete with intricate and sophisticated puppetry.

Obviously, The Lion King’s aesthetic is influenced by Africa and the show’s design uses bright and vibrant colors. It’s quite a marvel to behold.

The show is so unique that kids, musical neophytes, Broadway viewing veterans and those suffering from severe Disney antipathy are buying Lion King tickets and they are buying them in droves (more on that later).

The musical follows the film with a few notable exceptions. Rafiki’s gender was changed add a leading female character and a few more scenes and songs were added. While this only strengthens the powerful story it does pad the show out to well over two hours.

That might be a concern if your young children have trouble sitting still. It’s really a concern if you have these types of kids and you’re sitting next to me.

The majority of music was written by Elton John and Tim Rice (sorry, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is in the show). Hans Zimmer provided the musical score and Lebi M created the choral arrangements. The whole kit and caboodle was directed by Julie Taymor.

Incidentally, the Lion King earned Taymor the distinction of being the first woman to win the Tony Award for directing a musical. She’s also the director for the eyebrow-raising Spider-Man: The Musical set to raise curtain in 2010.

This Lion King has been delighting Broadway audience for a long time. It opened in 1997. It’s currently the Great White Way’s ninth longest-running show of all-time.

Oddly enough it debut in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July of 1997. Can you pick a destination that is further away from Africa, in every respect, than Minneapolis?

The Lion King is still running in London’s West End. The show made its Limey debut in 1999. There’s currently a Lion King production in Las Vegas and a national touring company gallivanting around North America. The tour is currently in Calgary.

At one time there were actually two national touring companies although we’re pretty sure they were always in different cities. Lion King productions have also popped up in Toronto, Los Angeles, Sydney, Seoul, Johannesburg, Pairs, Taipei and Mexico City.

Winner of six Tony Awards including best musical, The Lion King is currently playing at the Minskoff Theatre at 299 West 45th street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue). It began its Broadway run at the famous New Amsterdam Theatre.

Even after a dozen years The Lion King is still attracting theater goers. For the first week of August The Lion King grossed over $1.4 million. It was Broadway’s top moneymaker next to Wicked (what else).

The Lion King is deserving of such box office glory. It’s one of the few musicals that excels at every aspect a Broadway show has to offer. It’s a thoroughly awe-inspiring theatrical experience that’s fun for the whole family.