(Very Long) Review - Lion King (8/13 Matinee)

[yankee_fan907]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 2:26pm

Hey, everyone! Just thought I'd post my reviews from my day in the city yesterday. SPOILER WARNING: Possible spoilers throughout. Enjoy!

Show:
Lion King
2 PM - August 13th
Minskoff Theater

Performers:
Tshidi Manye (Rafiki) - She was great, though I feel bad for her voice. She has a lot of belting and squeaking throughout the show Imost of which is not needed) that must make that difficult to perform eight times a week. Also, the scene in the second act where she swings in on the vine was absolutely hysterical.

Nathaniel Stampley (Mufasa) - Outstanding. His death scene was probably the coolest effect in the show with both the forced perspective of the stampede and his fall.

Jean Michelle Grier (Sarabi) - Nothing to really say about this part. She was fine.

Jeff Binder (Zazu) - Atrocious! I absolutely hated his portrayal of the character, and I found the allusions he added into the show to be very cringe-worthy (particularly him singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious").

Derek Smith (Scar) - He played the part well. I want to say I didn't like him, but that very well could be coming from the fact that he is the character you are supposed to want to hate. I like the electronic mask. When he falls off the cliff at the end, you knew they were going to use the same effect for him that they did for Mufasa, which annoyed me some.

Shavar McIntosh (Young Simba) - I believe he is the biggest reason why I despised the first act. The first act was incredibly childish, and this was highlighted by his mediocre talent. While his dancing was great, his acting and singing were nothing special. My friend said, "He's an example of one of those kids that obviously knows someone." I was so happy when he was replaced by Simba at the end of Act One.

Halle Vargas Sullivan (Young Nala) - She was decent. Not a big part, but her acting wasn't the best. I also found it awkward that she was a part of all of the scenes with the lionesses. They were all fully grown, and then there was her.

Hodges, Brown-Orleans, and Segura (Hyenas) - I disliked them, because I don't like their part in the show. The humor that they bring to the show, I do not enjoy. But, putting that aside, they played the parts perfectly.

Jim Ferris (u/s for Timon) - So my other friend who was there (There were three of us.) really wanted to see Danny Rutigliano, who happens to be his director's best friend. Ironically, he was the only understudy on for the day. Anyway, as I felt for most of the show, I was highly disappointed. He lacked something, and having him all in green with the puppet in orange looked incredibly weird. The only thing I enjoyed with him was the effect of him floating downstream.

Tom Alan Robbins (Pumbaa) - I'm on the fence about him. There's not much to say, other than I'm lukewarm about him.

Dashaun Young (Simba) - This young man was the saving grace of the show! Once he entered, the calibre of the show increased greatly. Outstanding!

Kissy Simmons (Nala) - Also outstanding! Her and Dashaun were the two stand-outs of the entire production.

Ensemble - Altogether, very strong. I wish there were a few more large production numbers in the show. I did not like the scene where they have grass on their heads and weird skirts on, though. That was just strange. Other than that, they were fantastic.

Numbers:
Circle of Life - One of the highlights of the show. Superb. Nothing else to say...

The Morning Report - Useless and forgettable.

I Just Can't Wait to be King - My favorite song from the movie, and one of my all-time favorite Disney songs. Despite this, they slaughtered it. The costumes for this scene were ridiculous, and Young Simba's singing ruined it. I was not happy that my favorite song sucked so badly!

Chow Down - Also a forgettable addition to the score. Though, I must say the Elephant Graveyard was my favorite set from the whole show!

They Live in You - Great! Mufasa should really sing more in the first act. This was very touching. Another highlight of the show.

Be Prepared - Again, this failed in comparison to the movie, as most of the show did. Disappointing.

Hakuna Matata - Mediocre. I really wished Pumbaa could have done the legit opera singing during the one part, but he obviously couldn't, so he turned it into a joke. At least Simba appeared at this point to replace Young Simba. Thank God!

One by One - A great way to start Act Two! I really enjoyed the recognizable African costumes and all of the birds. The female soloist really knocked that out of the park! A great addition to the show, and another highlight.

Shadowland - Wow! That girl can sing! I really enjoyed it, and I'm glad she got her chance to shine. And she certainly did. Another highlight.

Endless Night - I love this song (because I'm a tenor). One of the best moments from the entire show, though I really wish the high A was held longer at the end.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - One of the better numbers in the show, but not as great as the highlights I've mentioned. Also, the body suits made some of the ensemble members appear naked on stage, which I found a little surprising for a Disney show.

He Lives in You (Reprise) - First of all, I want to know why it's a reprise, because there's no "He Lives in You" prior to this song, only "They Live in You." Anyway, it was great! I love the face of Mufasa appearing, and I loved the build-up of the scene, until the fantastic ending. Again, a highlight.

King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise) - A good way to bring the story full-circle. How can you not get chills from the bass drum at the end?

Costumes:
Incedible! But everyone knows this...

Orchestra/Conductor:
This performance was conducted by Cherie Rosen. She did an excellent job adapting to the different styles using the baton for some songs and just her hands for others. Overall, (as a music nerd) I enjoyed watching her at some parts. I didn't always see her get the response she wanted from the pit at all times (particularly on decrescendos). But, there's only so much she can do. The highlight was the percussion above the stage, though most of the time it was too dim to see.

Random Note:
We saw Ben Stiller coming out of the theater at about 1:30. I don't think he would be involved with stunt casting for a show like that, as the house was packed. And what could he do anyway, Scar? Hahaha Anyway, I just found that interesting...

Overall:
The show was mediocre, except for the few highlights that I mentioned. Overall, I left extremely disappointed, and realized that it was because it was a Disney show. We need to stop their monopoly over Broadway before it happens. What a shame.

Rating: 2.5/5

PS - I also saw Hairspray last night. I'll post my review later, when I return home.
Updated On: 8/14/08 at 02:26 PM

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 2:27pm

I am friends with Dashaun Young...can not wait to see him in this...

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 2:46pm

"The first act was incredible childish..."

Well, Young Simba is a "child," no?

[Gobstopper]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 6:44pm

I love this show, but I have to say... I think Young Simba is written in such a way that he is just kind of obnoxious. I guess that's important to see the trasnformation from a cocky child to a vulnerable, stoic adult, but Young Simba is still kind of an annoying character.

And I do have to agree that Act 2 is better than Act 1. "He Live In You (Reprise)" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" are my favorite moments in the show.

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:11pm

Glad you finally got around to seeing the show! It truly was a "ground-breaking" spectacle when it first opened so many years ago.

Not sure if it's still possible for there to be any "spoilers" here, but thanks for the warning.

Sounds like it's truly showing its age.

Too bad.