Disney Presents The Lion King: The Review
Louisville, Kentucky
When you set out to spend an evening enjoying anything that has the Disney name on it, you know that you're in for a top-notch spectacular performance. You see, with Disney, it's all in the details. They somehow magically meet your expectations before you even realize in full what they are. Like I said, "magically."
Now, Disney brings it on their own, but when you toss in the likes of Sir Elton John and Tim Rice on music and lyrics, and a book by master wordsmiths Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, then know that you'll be on the edge of your seats for the entire night. Throw in numerous animals from the African savannah and you know what - you've got a hit! At least that's what the entire planet has decided, by making the Lion King the world's #1 musical.
The Lion King also brings a fantastically talented cast to the stage, with Buyi Zama, Gerald Ramsey, Chante Carmel, Jurgen Hooper, Spencer Plachy, Walter Russell III, Celina Smith, Nick Cordileone, Ben Lipitz, Brandon A. McCall, Kayla Cyphers and more. And that's not even including the dancing blades of grass, beautiful animals and anything else that Disney knew would put the crowd over the edge.
With what appears to be an almost effortless performance, this cast bands together to make you wonder a time or two why the sun isn't that hot, or if the mosquitos really are that bad out in the jungle. The elegant interior of the lovely Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts seems to fade, beguilingly replaced with the inspiring spirit of an Africa lion pride and all that it entails.
You'll be tapping your toes to some of the most beloved Disney tunes of all times, including: "Circle of Life," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "They Live in You," "Hakuna Matata," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and many more. That's right - this will undoubtedly be your playlist for the next month.
And Disney truly excels beyond anything that can be imagined with carefully placed bits of comedy and hushed innuendos, while the entire crowd unites as they finally "get the joke," whether it be a Frozen reference or something else a true Disney fan will surely understand. From comedy to heartwarming, from loss to birth, you're going to be feeling all the feels!
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Photography By Brinkhoff-Mogenburg and Matthew Murphy
