“The Lion King”
When: Through Nov. 8; showtimes, 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, 1 p.m. Nov. 5
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown San Diego
Tickets: $20-$79
Info: (619) 570-1100
Web: www.BroadwaySD.com
By Patricia Morris Buckley
Julie Taymor became the first female director to win a Tony Award for her Broadway direction for “The Lion King,” due in large part to her innovative use of puppetry and masks to bring the animated characters of the screen to life on the stage. It’s amazing how well this theatrical device works, giving the audience the experience they had with the movie, but also something more. Anyone who has sat on the aisle will tell you how amazing it is to have a rhinoceros or elephant walk by close enough to touch, even if they are puppets.
However, if you have seen a previous version of this show, you might be a bit disappointed about how much the spectacle has been minimized for this tour, which is quite surprising, considering the large size of the Civic Theatre stage. Case in point is the usually impressive wildebeest stampede, which in larger venues is so convincing, you feel like ducking. There’s no such feeling with this smaller version of the stampede.
However, Taymor’s production isn’t a one-legged stool. The stage show also delves much deeper into the African culture that is mostly glossed over in the film, and that’s what really shines in this smaller touring production. This is reinforced by the compelling performance of South African actress Phindiile Mkhize as Rafiki the monkey, with her guttural and popping sounds of her gibberish lines, while minimizing the role’s comedy elements.
By adding this depth, we see that the circle of life doesn’t just apply to the life spans of these animals, but also to the long-held traditions of cultures throughout time. It certainly is something to ponder.
But what works best in the show is what succeeded so well on screen: The story of a young boy born to be king whose life is marked by tragedy to the point that it’s difficult for him to take his rightful place in the world. It’s a timeless tale that resonates deeply — much more than the spectacle of puppets and big sets.
The production benefits from a few outstanding performances. Timothy Carter’s evil Scar is goose-bump inducing, with his deep voice and not-too-arch delivery. Dionne Randolph’s deep voice is also an asset as Mufasa, yet his mighty presence is as impressive as his singing voice. Marja Harmon’s grown-up Nala is impressively strong and vibrant.
Many of the other performances, such as Zazu, Timon and Pumbaa are well done, but feel more like recreations of the original film than individual creations. The exception is Jerome Stephens, Jr. as young Simba (he alternates with another actor in the role). His raw enthusiasm and energy is perfect for the part, perhaps even more so than in the cartoon.
The stage version also has a few extra songs, such as “The Morning Report” and “The Madness of King Scar,” that are less than remarkable. But the original score still sparkles with “The Circle of Life,” “Be Prepared” and “Hakuna Matata.”
Those who have never seen a production of “The Lion King” are sure to be awed by this touring show. But even those who have watched a larger-scale version will still enjoy the highly animated staging of an inspiring story.
Patricia Morris Buckley has been reviewing the arts in San Diego for 25 years.
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