One of the key achievements of successful fast food chains is that no matter where you travel, an entrée tastes consistently the same. Although it may seem unfair to compare the latest tour of Disney’s The Lion King to a hamburger, it’s actually both a compliment and a testament to the quality of this theatrical adaptation of one of the franchise’s most successful animated features.
There’s no question that The Lion King the musical is equally successful on its own terms. In fact, compared to most jukebox musicals, it’s practically Shakespeare. As the house dimmed at The Fox Theatre for The Lion King’s current run (through June 19), it was clear within minutes that the show has lost neither its luster nor its appeal. First there was the cry of Rafiki, the show’s guide played by Gugwana Dlamini. From the audience’s response, it was clear that many in the audience had seen the show before. Later, even the laugh by one of the hyenas received enthusiastic, anticipatory cheers.
As Pride Rock rotates into place on an African savanna and an ark-worth’s of animals strolled the aisles of the theater and ascended the stage as “The Circle of Life” began to play. All of this plus the creatively stunning African masking and puppetry that audiences have come to know, love and expect.
The opening is one of the best of any musical – ever – and thus expectations were high. This Lion King still delivered. Like that hamburger, the audience knew what it was going to get – and it got it from the opening to the curtain call.
For many, the family-friendly songs of the show are this Lion’s heart. The show’s aural world adds more depth to the experience, thanks to Steve Canyon Kennedy’s sound design and James Dodgson’s musical direction.
The quality of this musical extends beyond any one element like the music, however. One could make the case that the artful visual storytelling may be its most potent part. It’s possible to cover one’s ears and just “watch” this musical with its beautiful set (Richard Hudson), lighting (Donald Holder), choreography (Garth Fagan) and costumes/masks/puppets (original director Julie Taymor and Michael Curry) and still feel satisfied. There aren’t many musicals that deliver more punch per square inch, or per square pound, of stage – no small feat.
The Lion King’s cast includes approximately 50 members. There wasn’t a weak performance on opening night. Many were audience favorites, such as Jurgen Hooper as Zazu and Nick Cordileone as Timon. Also noteworthy was the nuanced performance of Diamond Essence White as Simba’s mother, Sarabi, and Kayla Cyphers as Nala.
Opening night was a bit like attending The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a sing-along screening of The Sound of Music. The audience included a plentiful number of children, many of whom sang along to the most well-known songs – along with their adult companions. It was often a participatory experience – one that can be highly recommended. You know what you’re going to get.
The current national tour of “The Lion King”
Performances of DISNEY’S THE LION KING at the Fabulous Fox run June 1 – June 19. Show times are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 1 p.m. Tickets on sale now at MetroTix.com or by calling 314-534-1111. For more information, visit www.fabulousfox.com
CB Adams is an award-winning fiction writer and photographer based in the Greater St. Louis area. A former music/arts editor and feature writer for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, his non-fiction has been published in local, regional and national publications. His literary short stories have been published in more than a dozen literary journals and his fine art photography has been exhibited in more than 40 galley shows nationwide. Adams is the recipient of the Missouri Arts Council’s highest writing awards: the Writers’ Biennial and Missouri Writing!. The Riverfront Times named him, “St. Louis’ Most Under-Appreciated Writer” in 1996.
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival has partnered with Cinema St. Louis to bring a three-night film festival May 19, 20 and 21 to Shakespeare Glen. Completely free to attend, no reservations are required.
Bring your own chairs and blankets and set up on the grass in the beautiful Shakespeare Glen just a few short weeks before we open Much Ado About Nothing. The screen will be set up on the stage platform. Movies begin at 8:15 PM. and Shakespeare Glen opens at 6:30 p.m.
STL Barkeep will be onsite with beer, wine and cocktails for purchase. Food vendors include The Popcorn Bar, Super Smokers BBQ and others. Pack a picnic, outside food and drink are welcome.
Heather Ledger, Julia Styles in “10 Things I Hate About You”
Here’s the line-up:
Thursday, May 19 – 10 Things I Hate About You Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles star in this 90’s favorite and Taming of the Shrew adaptation. Enough said.
Friday, May 20 – The Lion King Hakuna Matata! It’s Disney’s 1994 animated version of Hamlet.
Saturday, May 21 – Theatre of Blood A 1973 camp horror-comedy from Britain starring St. Louis-born Vincent Price as a slighted Shakespearean actor who seeks poetic and murderous revenge on his critics – killing them in the same ways made infamous by Shakespeare. Content warning: R Rated for mature content and violence.
Follow the Festival’s social media accounts @stlshakesfest or call the box office at 314-287-3348 in the event of inclement weather. No rain dates are scheduled.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
The Fabulous Fox Theatre is thrilled to announce the return of the U.S. Bank Broadway Series to the Fox stage. “After our long intermission that began in March 2020, we can’t wait for this new season to begin on November 16, 2021” said Director of Programming John O’Brien. The six-show season will include two of the shows that were postponed at the end of the 2019-2020 season, HAMILTON and CATS; and four postponed shows from the 2020-2021 season, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, THE PROM, MEAN GIRLSandMY FAIR LADY. “We are thrilled to fit most of our missed shows in the coming season,” said O’Brien. “Although Disney’sFrozen will need to wait until a future season, we will have the return of Disney’s THE LION KINGin the summer of 2022.” Subscribers will have the option to purchase the six-show package or add THE LION KING for a seven -show package.
“The Fabulous Fox is working with government and health officials to create and implement health and safety protocols that will ensure the safe return of audiences at full capacity so subscribers can enjoy their same great seats. This does include improvements to the Theatre’s air handling system. More information along with a detailed outline of protocols will be made available prior to our reopening,” said O’Brien.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL | November 16-28, 2021
After an incredible run on Broadway, Audience Choice Award winner PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical will begin its national tour this fall. PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical is brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood, and Broadway. Featuring direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, PRETTY WOMAN: The Musical will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).
CATS | December 21, 2021-January 2, 2022
CATS, the record-breaking musical spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber that has captivated audiences in over 30 countries and 15 languages, will resume its tour across North America! Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater—”Memory”. Winner of 7 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. The original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber (ThePhantom of the Opera, School of Rock, Sunset Boulevard), original scenic and costume design by John Napier (Les Misérables), all-new lighting design by Natasha Katz (Aladdin), all-new sound design by Mick Potter, new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton) based on the original choreography by Gillian Lynne (Phantom) and direction by Trevor Nunn (Les Misérables) make this production a new CATS for a new generation!
The Prom
THE PROM | January 25-February 6, 2022
Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine calls “smart and big-hearted” and The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!” THE PROM is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and the love they discover that unites them all. Variety raves, “It’s so full of happiness that you think your heart is about to burst.” And The Hollywood Reporter cheers, “It’s comic gold!” You belong at THE PROM!
MEAN GIRLS | February 15-27, 2022
Direct from Broadway, MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious hit musical from book writer Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), composer Jeff Richmond (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. Soon, this naïve newbie falls prey to a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting stung. New York Magazine cheers, “MEAN GIRLS delivers with immense energy, a wicked sense of humor and joyful inside-jokery.” USA Today says, “We’ll let you in on a little secret, because we’re such good friends: Get Your Tickets Now!”
MY FAIR LADY | March 22-April 3, 2022
From Lincoln Center Theater and director Bartlett Sher comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time” (Entertainment Weekly), Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY. Boasting such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” MY FAIR LADY tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller, and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform her into his idea of a “proper lady.” But who is really being transformed?
HAMILTON | April 12-May 15, 2022
HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony ® , Grammy ® , and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. This “theatrical landmark has transformed theater and the way we think about history” (The New York Times)
THE LION KING | June 1-18, 2022
More than 100 million people around the world have experienced the phenomenon of Disney’sTHE LION KING, and now you can, too, when St. Louis’ best-loved musical returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre. Winner of six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, this landmark musical event brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award®-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. THE LION KING also features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award®-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. There is simply nothing else like THE LION KING.
Series Specials
Four additional Broadway shows will be offered as specials to 2021–2022 season ticket holders for priority seating before their public on-sale dates.
The splendor of the holiday season at the Fox will return in 2021. One of the world’s most beloved and timeless stories is a holiday tradition at the Fox: the Nebraska Theatre Caravan production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL will play December 2-5. AMAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS brings dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists to the Fox stage for a spell-binding holiday production December 9. The most famous reindeer of all will soar into the Fox December 17-18 when RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER the Musical takes the Fox stage.
The 25thAnniversary production of RIVERDANCEreturns March 11-13. This tour is a powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy award-winning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. Disney’s THE LION KING will also be available as a special for those who choose the six-show season.
Current season ticket holders will receive their specific account information with their options for the six or seven show package in late April.
New season ticket packages will go on sale June 7. On-sale dates for individual shows will be announced later. For more information, visit www.FabulousFox.com. The Broadway Series at the Fabulous Fox Theatre is presented by U.S. Bank. The Fox Box office is currently closed.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
