“The Lion King” is a Tony award-winning Broadway musical adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated film of the same name. It has gone to the West End and is performed at the Lyceum Theatre. Director Julie Taymor has transformed the animated film into a stage musical. She also helped design the masks and puppets, wrote some of the music and lyrics as well as designing the costumes.

The story involves young lion prince Simba and his uncle, Scar. Simba’s birth has pushed Scar into being second in line for the throne. Scar plots to kill Simba and his father, King Mufasa, to gain the throne. Scar arranges for Simba to be in the middle of a stampede, knowing King Mufasa would try to save him. King Mufasa is killed, but Simba survives the attempt on his life. Meanwhile Scar makes him believe he was to blame for his father’s death. He then runs away from the pride. Simba runs into and is befriended by a warthog named Pumbaa and a meerkat named Timon who help and watch over him. He continues to be haunted by the day his father died. When he is fully grown, he has a choice to make: whether or not to return to his kingdom, which Scar has almost destroyed. He also meets up with his childhood friend, Nala, who becomes his sweetheart and helps him make his decision. She tells him of how Scar has all the lionesses working hard and how he brought in the hyenas to protect and feed.

The story unfolds with highly inventive puppets, masks and costumes on stage. The three-hour show flies by with awesome actors turned into cartoon characters, giraffes on stilts and flying birds. The plot, like the film version, features untold evil against youthful innocence. The stage version contains even more cultural splendor and stand-up humor.

This musical has won awards since it opened in 1998. These awards include a Tony Award for Best Musical and countless others for choreography, puppet design, costume design and sound design. According to most fans, The Lion King has earned the reputation of being one of the best musicals in the world.

The Lion King is indisputably touching musically. The animated film’s score by Tim Rice and Elton John joins flawlessly with African singers and music. This show is not just for kids, though. It has the indescribable acting, moving score and visual maturity for all ages. It also has the true-to-life takes on the moral trials of virtue and courage.

Don’t wait to get your tickets to this incredibly moving, for-all-ages show! Get them today!