Hakuna Matata

The Lion King

The brilliant colors are almost blinding. The unbelievable artistry and energy are off the charts. Enchantment reigns once again over Pride Rock. Julie Taymor’s creativity sparkles everywhere in this extraordinary musical, reminding audiences why her innovative, authentic, African-inspired production about family loyalty won so many Tony Awards. The captivating score, with gorgeous Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, is filled with tribal rhythms, lush ballads and upbeat, inspirational melodies. Additional music and lyrics are provided by Ms Taymor, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer. And under the skillful Musical Direction of Karl Shymanovitz, who also conducts the full-sounding pit orchestra, this score has never sounded better. Familiar film favorites fill the air, like “Hakuna Matata,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” soaring along with the beautiful “They Live in You” and “Shadowland.”

This spectacular new 2025 National Tour overflows with the very music, story and spectacle of the original 1997 Broadway production, currently celebrating almost 30 years of performances around the world, and having played over an astounding 10,900 performances. The show won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Musical, along with accolades for Direction, Choreography, Scenic, Costume and Lighting Design. The musical is creatively Choreographed by Garth Fagan and is inventively Directed by creative genius of Broadway and film, Julie Taymor. Along with Michael Curry, Ms. Taymor, a modern day Renaissance artist, also designed every unique costume, mask and puppet seen in the show. In addition, Michael Ward collaborated with her to create all the hair and makeup designs for the cast.

In one of the most moving opening numbers of any musical, the mandrill Rafiki calls out to every African animal, summoning them to Pride Rock for the presentation of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi’s newborn cub, Simba. From the wings, down the aisles and across the balconies come life-sized rhinos, giraffes, a mother elephant and her baby, a preening leopard, a herd of graceful gazelles and flocks of every species of flying birds imaginable to join “The Circle of Life.” It’s a beautiful, breathtaking and incomparable moment in live theatre that’s guaranteed to produce goosebumps and bring tears to your eyes. There’s really never been anything like it in theatre history, either before or since.

This heartwarming story, written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, unfolds against a magnificent and magical Scenic Design, by Richard Hudson. The play is illuminated with unbelievable special effects and dramatic Lighting by Donald Holder. This new National Tour production offers the same eye-popping wow factor as the spectacular Broadway version.

The new, polished production features a colossal cast of multitalented international actors, singers, dancers and puppeteers, portraying more than 200 gorgeous animated puppets and masked characters. But this family musical tale can’t captivate audiences if it’s just technical razzmatazz; it has to have a stellar cast.  And this production has such a company of gifted actors, especially in the richly dramatic and talented vocal artistry of David D’Lancy Wilson as Mufasa, the original King of the Pride Lands; Chicago’s own gifted Gilbert Domally (THE COLOR PURPLE, Drury Lane & Goodman; HAIRSPRAY & THE LITTLE MERMAID, Paramount) is a ripped and robust Simba, the heir apparent Lion King, with Bryce Christian Thompson impressively playing Young Simba on opening night, as a spirited teenage cub. Thembelihle Cele is fierce, feminine and forceful as his lovely Queen, Nala. Likable Jaxyn Damasco plays a spunky younger Nala at the opening performance. The undisputed voice of authority for the Pride Lands is Rafiki.She’s beautifully portrayed with humor, authority and aged wisdom by Mukelisiwe Goba. Rafiki opens the production with her thrilling and powerful vocals, in “The Circle of Life;” and, along with her amazing use of African click language, appears continually throughout the musical.

Bossy male hornbill, Zazu, Mufasa’s majordomo and manny for young Simba, is hilariously played once again by talented Nick LaMedica. Also returning to this Tour, handsome Peter Hargrave inhabits the villainous role of the Scar, Mufasa’s jealous brother. He’s played with all kinds of beastly bravado and pompous parsimoniousness. Scar’s hanger-on hyena sycophants, the ever-hungry bootlickers Shenzi and Banzai, are once again portrayed with dark humor by Martina Sykes and Forest VanDyke, with the dorky Ed newly portrayed by Chicago actor Sam Linda (THE BAND’S VISIT at Writers). The comedy duo of Timon, the wisecracking meerkat and Pumbaa, the flatulent warthog, befriend young Simba and help him survive the desert and jungle. They are winningly played by Robert Creighton and Danny Grumich, respectively. The supporting company of multitalented performers all provide enough enthusiasm and skillful singing and dancing to make this musical the highlight of the Windy City’s Broadway in Chicago Fall season.

My sincere advice to theatergoers is do not, if at all possible, miss this sensational and spectacular new National Tour of one of  Disney’s best-loved musicals. Whether this is your first or your fifth time visiting Pride Rock, audiences of all ages will find enchantment and wonder in this new Touring production. Broadway’s praiseworthy, multi-accoladed adaptation of the wildly popular 1994 Disney animated film roars into Chicago for another pleasing and pleasurable visit. It’s the perfect family show, filled with vibrant color, unbelievable creativity, splendor, and excitement and, above all, love. With the musical’s powerful themes of family fidelity and environmental balance in Nature, this Circle of Life continues to dazzle and enchant. It’s a must-see production with “Hakuna Matata,” Timon’s advise for a No Worries life, that you will never, ever forget!

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 3-19 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all BIC box offices, at all Ticketmaster retail locations, by calling the Broadway in Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.