Lion King Musical

Every so often, a stage musical captures the imagination and enjoys long runs around the world. The Lion King musical is unusual in that it is based on a film. Adapted from the Disney movie, its stage transition brought instant success and appeals to the whole family. Children love the animals and spectacle and it's a terrific introduction to theatre for them.

The story of a pride of lions on the Serengeti Plains in Africa was a challenge to produce in live theatre and an inventive use of actors in animal costumes and huge puppets was the answer. The show premiered in Minnesota in 1997 before moving to Broadway, meeting with praise from the public and critics. Other productions have included London's West End, where it still runs, Tokyo, Toronto, Paris, Johannesburg, and Sydney. A new Taiwan production began in August 2008 and two American productions are on tour. The Lion King musical added new scenes and seven extra songs, not included in the film.

China too presented the show with a production in Shanghai in 2006 in which characters borrowed tricks from traditional Chinese Shadow Plays. One of the songs was adapted into a popular Chinese song and characters sometimes spoke in Chinese.

The vibrant characters, touching story and catchy songs with African rhythms have engrossed audiences everywhere. Elton John wrote the music and Time Rice was responsible for the lyrics with the exception of They Live in You. This song was written by Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and the South African composer, Lebo M. The original Broadway cast featured Jason Raize as Simba and Samuel E.Wright as Mufasa. A Tony award for Best Musical was given to the Lion King musical in 1998.

The Circle of Life is probably the most well known song from the score. All the songs can be found on the CD of the Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won a Grammy award for Best Musical Show album. There is also a CD from the Lion King musical from the London Theatre Orchestra and Cast, and the casts of the Japanese, German, Dutch and French productions. The Circle of Life version in the movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Elton John also recorded his own version of the song. The Lion King musical is an exciting event that audiences respond to and the songs remain in the memory for a long time.