The Lion King is tired and has been for some time. I think a lot of the backlash stems from it beating out Ragtime for Best Musical that year. Yes, Lion King was beautiful to look at, but that was it. I was completely bored. Ragtime was a much better show.
I also hear from one of the dancers who started on the road, came to b-way with The Lion King, stayed a long time, left, came back, that the conditions for the dancers are pretty awful. Between the material the stage is made out of and the costumes that they have to lug around while dancing, it's more damage to the body than is the norm for a musical.
The first time I saw Lion King I was a little disappointed because I love the movie so much and the stage really cannot match the grandear of the movie. The sencond time when I saw it on tour, the cast is far worse than the first times, totally burn out. However, guess what, I found out that show really got some spetacular moment. The score is gorgeous, the dance , the costume is rather special. Rafiki is the most amazing role in the show, totally magic.
So, my opinion is that Lion King is not a master piece, but it really stands out because of its own goodness.
The Lion King has its moments - the opening number is stunning! - but there are just too many visual things & gadgets to take the focus off the story.
The original music from the TLK movie is brilliant, but unfortunately they had to ruin them too! "Be Prepared" has been extended with a dance section for the hyenas and -omg- it is some totally bizarre dance/techno beat that is played during that sequence, totally out of place and has nothing to do with the rest of the song whatsoever. They also extended "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" the same way. Totally unnecessary extensions, both of them!
If I didnt know the story of the Lion King, I think I would have been lost at points. And also- I totally forgot how my parents got tickets for this show in November to see it that next August. Ridiculous. And we were only front row balcony. Boo The Lion King!
It seems as though most people prefer Hairspray over the Lion King (myself included), but isn't that because we all have the benefit of having seen both, and the opportunity to make up our own minds? That's why I would say, if the choice is only between those two, and you've seen one already, why not see the other?
Only the Second Act of Lion King (after The Madness of King Scar) is boring.
So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart and now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine because I knew you.
I loved Lion King and I would recommend it. It is visually breathtaking, and I am sorry but if you recieve a talented rafiki you are set. Shadowland amazing. Circle of Life amazing. Endless Night awesome. and Of course they live in you in a chill setter. See it
I LOVED both shows. I think you'd enjoy Hairspray more though, because the story is less well-known (unless you've seen the movie). Hairspray is a show where you'll walk out dancing in the asiles, but Lion King will have the original parts of the score stuck in your head for days.
If you can only see one, Hairspray, but I'd highly recommend Lion King for another time.
I'd say Hairspray. And if you can't get tickets, then i'd pick Hairspray. And if they're giving away LK tickets on the street, I'd go with Hairspray. If the Neil Simon burns down before you get there, I'd go with Hairspray.