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The Lion King at The Fox Theatre - Through April 27. Not To Be Missed!

The World's #1 Musical is Now in Atlanta

By Michelle Sisco April 17, 2014
There really are no words to describe the Disney's The Lion King, now playing at the Fox Theatre (through April 27th). Oddly I'd forgotten just how magical it is. I saw the production years ago when it came to the Atlanta Civic Center. But that venue was much larger than the Fox, so while the show was still amazing, it lacked the intimacy of the current production. I first saw the show on Broadway during its original run. Before I had children. That's when I was first mesmerized by this truly one-of-a-kind experience -  the highest-grossing Broadway show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world!


Nia Holloway as “Nala” and “The Lionesses” in “Shadowland.” Photo: Joan Marcus; ©Disney

To write a true review of this show would be like writing a college essay. I can't begin to imagine what went in to designing the costumes (mostly puppets of all types and sizes) created by the amazing Julie Taymor. But sitting in the orchestra this time, and with an aisle seat - we were able to see them up close, as the characters (from costumed actors to elephant and giraffe "puppets") danced through the theatre in the opening "Circle of Life" sequence, and again after intermission, where we were treated to an awesome ensemble performance of "One by One," sung almost entirely in the aisles. Note to all - DON'T BE LATE!

I had planned to take my younger child, but he couldn't understand this wasn't a kid's "silly" cartoon, and instead of forcing the issue, I took my 8-year-old son, who at first wasn't excited about it. It didn't take long for that to change. He was in awe of the sets, the costumes, the spectacle. When we got home, he told his brother - "You sure made a mistake!"  I'm now tempted to go back and take Jack, but I don't know if I can even get tickets!

Brown Lindiwe Mkhize is simply awesome as Rafiki - what a voice. And my absolute favorite number is "He Lives in You," from the beautiful song itself to the spectacle on stage including some techno magic you just have to see to understand.


Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as “Rafiki” in the opening number “The Circle of Life” from THE LION KING National Tour. ©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

If there's one show you splurge on this year for your kids - make it this one. That is, if you can still get tickets.


PERFORMANCES
THE LION KING plays Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. as well as matinees on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available.

TICKETS
Tickets are available at the Fox Theatre Box Office (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308), online at www.foxtheatre.org or by calling 1-855-ATL-TIXX.
 
AWARDS
THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony® Awards:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical.  THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
 
The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success.  The first woman to win a Tony® Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show in Las Vegas, Madrid and the UK tour and just completed casting the Brazilian production in Sao Paolo.
 
THE MUSIC
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.  The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.” 

 
For more information, visit LionKing.com.

* Disclosure: I received two tickets to this performance in exchange for this review. Opinions, however, are entirely my own.