"THE LION KING," through April 16, Eccles Theater, 131 S. Main, Salt Lake City (801-355-2787 or artsaltlake.org); running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one intermission)
Everyone should be familiar with the story of "The Lion King" by now. The animated Disney feature came out in 1994 and the musical first appeared on Broadway in 1997, according to the program. Twenty years should be enough time for everyone to get acquainted with it.
Even the program for the North American touring production, currently stopping at Salt Lake's Eccles Theater through April 16, doesn't bother with a story summary. It even already came to Salt Lake City in 2010. According to lionking.com, "The Lion King" is the third longest running show on Broadway, more than 90 million people have viewed the musical and there are currently 24 productions running around the world.
So does anyone really need another review?
For that small percentage of the population who wants to see "The Lion King" musical but hasn't, know that the movie is 85 minutes and the musical is two and half hours — so there's new material, especially music. One of the best, most catchy new songs is "He Lives in You," which both Mufasa and Rafiki sing at different points in the show. Much of the music comes from the underscore of the animated feature, so it still feels familiar.
The ingenious costumes allow the actors to both take on the essence of the animal they are portraying while still remaining obviously human, which has a much better, more beautiful effect than covering them up ever would have.
Much of the ensemble is actually from Africa. Buyi Zama, who plays Rafiki, told the Deseret News that "The Lion King" holds auditions in South Africa annually, since much of the music is actually in Zulu. This brings an authenticity that at points makes "The Lion King" feel almost like a celebration of a culture.
Zama is the shining beacon of this particular production, though that's not to say that there were any weak links either. Zama just has a strong part as Rafiki, and she's played the part for 14 years, so it's no surprise she has it mastered.
Also, new audience members will be excited by the parades of animals down the aisles and the percussionists in some of the balcony seats.
Anyone who has been to the show before but not in that last few years will be pleased by Zazu's new rendition of "Let It Go," from "Frozen," to which Scar exclaims, "No, no, anything but that."
Just know that "The Lion King" does not disappoint. The story never drags, everything about it is colorful, exciting and moving. The performers are all excellent. The set is unique and creative. There are few who will regret going to a classic production like this one.
Content advisory: "The Lion King" is based on a rated G movie and is family friendly, with some mild peril and romance.