The LION KING; It Roars and then wimps.
Written: Jul 09 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fantastic opening scene
Cons: The scenes, dialog, and acting do not flow well.
The Bottom Line: I find it difficult to give this show just three stars. In some ways it was better than anything I had ever witnessed. It other ways it was lackluster.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: The Lion King |
Even though I live near NYC and the Lion King has been in production over six years I just recently witnessed for the very first time. I have been very aware of the hype Disney has received for the show, and also how many people love this extravaganza.
The THEATRE
The NEW AMSTERDAM THEATRE, 214 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036 (at Broadway and 42nd Street) is now a NYC landmark and I expect the show will go on for many, many more years. The theatre was completely renovated starting in 1996 and has been a key to the revitalized Times Square.
The work in the theatre is spectacular, though I do wonder what parts of the theatre are original and what may be Disney style glitz. All the same the place is remarkable in its style and colour.
I was, however, put off by the Disney money making machine that actually has a separate store within the theatre lobby selling all things Disney yet, does not have adequate accommodations for rest rooms. A very slow moving ladies room line ran out and up a flight of stairs. The men's room as usual is not a major problem. The design of just one way down to the restrooms men's or woman's is also a flawed. When they did the massive renovations, especially in light of the Lion King show, they should have had our call to nature more in mind.
Refreshments can be purchased in the lobby before the show and during the fifteen minute intermission but, LOOK OUT!! A bottle of water went for FOUR DOLLARS!! I'm sorry, I'll pay over blown prices for mixed drinks etc, these are a choice, but for bottle water!! I saw one guy with five bottles of water for his kids. Twenty dollars for water!! That really bugs me.
OPENING SCENE
Though I had an idea as to what to expect I was totally blown away by the opening song and scene "The Circle of Life". This, I felt, was a perfectly combined mix of music, costume and scene design, and dance and choreography. This opening event actually brought tears to my eyes. It was glorious!
Julie Taymor's costume design was imaginative and absolutely stunning. Each animal had its own personality and fluid movement like that of the beast it represented. There were no "furry or cutesy" costumes here. Though not wanting to sound overly melodramatic here I still must say that through the use of puppetry, brought to new heights, I could almost feel the soul of some of the creatures. They were so real to me!
I was amazed as an imitation elephant, as big as the real thing, walked right by me on the main isle. The movement, that was controlled by four people, made this oversized puppet seem like a true living animal. The same could be said for the stilt-walker controlled giraffes and so many more of the animal kingdom portrayed in the show.
I believe, by the reaction of the audience, most people felt the same way. I just wish this feeling would have continued throughout the play or maybe, even once, manifest itself again. I was disappointed that it didn't happen. There were other highlights throughout the show however, they just never hit that same wondrous pinnacle.
The ACTING
Though the show is about Simba and his eventual coronation as the rightful King, it was Scar who seemed to have center stage for most of the show and dominated many scenes. He was played by Patric Page and was terrific as the evil uncle of Simba who wanted to gain the position of King at any means including murder and an unnatural alliance with a lions enemy, hyenas.
The three hyenas were well operated and had some personality. They were comical and evil at the same time. I wonder how children perceived them.
The young Simba was adequately played by Danny Fetter. He was good and his relationship with the young Nala rang true as children, or rather cubs, who had a close friendship. Unfortunately I did not feel the same of Timothy Hunter, a stand in, who played the mature Simba who comes back to claim his throne. Physically he looked good but I felt his acting skills were not up to par with Scar and because of that I never felt that he showed himself as the deserving the position of being the new Lion King. Yes, I know its just a story between good and evil but this new king just didn't come out a believable winner to me.
I feel that some of the fault came with the dialog and pace of the play. It just didn't flow well for me. One item that may be very important to mention is that I have never seen the story before. I suppose, after reading that the play stayed very true to the movie, that a prior screening of the film may have been helpful to me.
I believe that children will be especially entertained by Timon and Pumbaa. These are two characters that Simba meets while in exile. They are comical and colourful. I found them to be refreshing and to hold their own and my interest while they were on stage.
The MUSIC and DANCE
Though I never saw the movie, many of the Elton John/Tim Rice songs were familiar to me. I didn't find the orchestra, that I could not see except for the conductor waving his baton, all that impressive. The fact is I thought the sound weak. Knowing the score from the movie I don't believe the play had the same drive and fullness that the same songs from the movie had. To be fair there were rhythm players on congas and such, one on each side of the theatre, up above in the side boxes that did add some life to the overall sound. Their sound was impressive and brought a true "jungle" feel. A short rendition of the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" had a comic edge and sounded good.
Their was some very good talent on stage dancing. Many styles were used. Modern dance and ballet flowed freely with each other. African dance was terrific. Unfortunately the scenes just didn't flow right. The ensemble dancers were good and I have to give them a lot of credit in the way they had to change from puppeteer to dancer and back throughout the show.
STAGING, PROPS, and MORE
The "Gazelle Wheel" that was walked across the stage a couple of times throughout the play was a contraption that at first look was interesting but after the one walk through seemed more of a time filler than much else the other times it was used. I also felt the same way of the chase scenes with the squares of grass being run through the stage using perspective as a means of showing distance and vastness of the African plains. The first time it was interesting and for that matter entertaining. It was the repetitiveness that was a flaw.
I suppose they wanted to use different media in the play. The mouse shadow puppet scene was very well done but after the first use the shadow puppetry also became old. I suppose I am guilty of being part of the legacy of our time that constantly needs to see "new, innovative and better things to keep my interest."
Disney does bring us to the best in the opening scene. It's just that it was a hard act to follow. I was impressed with the way the ghost of Mufasa, Simba's father was created by the dancers.
OTHER THOUGHTS
Though I gave this play just three stars it is still one of those events that everyone must see even if only once. It's my feeling that once is enough. I didn't find the dialog, the flow of scenes, or the acting at all impressive. Some of the dance numbers were excellent but not enough to bring this show up to a grand scale of performance. Now of course we have to look at my views vs. that of those who give out the Tony awards. The play won for Best Director, Best Musical, Best Choreography, Best Scene Design, Best Costumes, and Best Lighting. I must agree with all of these however it was the dialog, acting, and pace of the play that was, at least to me, mediocre at best.
The play should entertain adults and most children five or six years and older. I'm not so sure this would be good for younger children or those who may be sitting next to them if they are not well behaved. For the prices I had to pay I really didn't want to listen to the two year old squirming in her seat a couple of rows behind me. I was very surprised at how many strollers with young children were brought to the theatre. Strollers were held at the coat check. The theatre seems to encourage younger children in that they offer booster seats for children five and under. All children, regardless of age, must pay for a seat. No laps here.
Disney's play is doing well, tickets are priced high and hard to come by. You won't see them at the TKTS booth at reduced prices. Believe me, I waited six years to try and find them. It's my feeling that the the opening number is fantastic but if you want more Disney as good theatre see Beauty and the Beast and if you like Elton John's Music see Aida before it closes.
TKTS half price tickets to Broadway
Aida, the Broadway Play Great show at half price
Thoroughly Modern Millie A 6 Tony award winner Broadway Play
The Boy From OZ A Play about Peter Allen played by Hugh Jackson, with Judy Garland and Lisa Minnelli.
Times Square Eats
Stardust Diner A quick eat 50s retro diner for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here to sing live.
The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show.
ESPN Zone Good food, a sports bar, arcade, and MORE!
TGI Friday's Times Square Location.
Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub
Ollies, Broadway
New York City
Recommended:
Yes
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