Theater Review: 'Disney's The Lion King' Tour at The Bushnell

Review by Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis

“Disney’s The Lion King,” the world’s #1 musical, has returned to the Bushnell to kick off the holiday season. The Hartford performances of this winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, reminded me why this musical is so beloved. Disney Theatrical Group produced the tour.

Julie Taymor is the director of this magical adventure that is filled with absolutely stunning visuals that fill the stage and sometimes the entire venue. The work of choreographer Garth Fagan is also on display for many of the most well-known music that was created by Elton John and Tim Rice, among others. The book, adapted of course from the screenplay of the classic film version, was written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi.

Taymor designed the colorful and magical costumes that take on a life of their own on the talented performers. Perhaps more important to note is that she also worked with Michael Curry on design of the unique masks and the often massive puppets that move through the aisles to enter the stage. The puppets coordinate with the costumes, hair and makeup (designed by Michael Ward) of their puppeteer, making the two appear as one. There are also small shadow puppets and plants that inflate

Peter Hargrave, who has performed on the Disney Cruise Line, is the delicious villain Scar, nailing the classic comedic lines of his character. Darnell Abraham (Washington in “Hamilton” tours) has a great singing voice that he shows off as the king, Mufasa.

South African-born Mukelisiwe Goba plays the slightly scary Rafiki. Nick Cordileone is the wiley Timon, partnered up with Danny Grumich, who was part of “Kinky Boots” at ACT of CT, gets to ham it up as Pumbaa.

At the Thursday performance, Jeremy Noel did well with the role of the grown up Simba (Noel is Erick D. Patrick’s understudy.) South African-born Thembelihle Cele, who appeared in “Lion King” on Broadway and in several tours, takes on the role of the grown Nala with a lovely speaking and singing voice. Nick Lamedica is delightful as the bird Zazu that does his best to keep watch over the two young cubs. Forest Vandyke, Martina Sykes and Sam Linda play the three named hyenas.

Ritisha Chakraborty took the stage as Young Nala on press night and Bryce Christian Thompson played Young Simba in the first act. The two young performers share their roles with Jaxyn Damasco and Julian Villela respectively; all four are required to master some impressive fight choreography.

It seems to me that the script has been updated a bit to include references to another Disney blockbuster “Frozen” and there was also a shout-out to the state of Connecticut. Karl Shymanovitz conducted the orchestra as they played through the classic tunes. Dean Balan is the associate conductor. I had forgotten that the Entre’ acte “One by One” is performed a cappella and I loved it.

Lighting design by Donald Holder is strong, easily illuminating the animal puppets even when they are on the balcony level Sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy functioned well at the Bushnell, although I had some difficulty understanding the lyrics of some less-familiar songs. The scenic design by Richard Hudson is memorable because it is unique in so many ways, from the two drum stations on both sides of the house, to the imaginative use of the curtains and drops, to the revolving “cliff” that rotates as needed. It isn’t often that I see a technical aspect onstage that I cannot see how it was accomplished, but the cliff had me scratching my head. I had forgotten that more than one actor flies above the stage, and don’t miss the steam that forcefully rises from the stage.

“The Lion King” remains a truly amazing experience that is meant to be enjoyed more than once, filled with awe-inspiring stagecraft that few other musicals have attained. The tour is presented with one 15-minute intermission, making it easier for most young patrons. This musical will be stampeding through The Bushnell through Dec. 1. Great seats are still available at bushnell.org for this long run.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the CCC Facebook page.