Legitimate Theater Bonus: #12. The Lion King (1997)

The Lion King

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Opening

Among the many defining films of Disney's library, none have had the reputation of The Lion King. It has gone on to be one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time with a soundtrack that has seeped into the zeitgeist just as well. It makes sense then that following the release of the live-action remake that one would revisit the Broadway musical. It is, after all, just as successful as the film and has continued to expand the story's reputation into one of Disney's most creative stage endeavors yet. With six Tony wins, including Best Musical, the show has dazzled for over two decades on its own and reminds people why the music and spectacle refuse to go away. 

A Quick Background

Tony Wins: 6 wins (including Best Musical) and 5 nominations (including Best Musical)

Based on: The Lion King (1994)

Music: Elton John

Lyrics: Tim Rice

Book: Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi

Prominent Actors: Jason Raize, John Vickery, Samuel E. Wright, Heather Hadley

Soundtrack

1. "Circle of Life"
2. "Grasslands Chant"
3. "The Morning Report"
4. "The Lioness Hunt"
5. "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"
6. "Chow Down"
7. "They Live in You"
8. "Be Prepared"
9. "The Stampede"
10. "Rafiki Mourns"
11. "Hakuna Matata"
12. "One by One"
13. "The Madness of King Scar"
14. "Shadowland"
15. "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
16. "Endless Night"
17. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
18. "He Lives in You (Reprise)"
19. "Simba Confronts Scar"
20. "King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (Reprise)"

Note: Listen to the music here

Song Exploration

Opening Song:
"Circle of Life"

Considering that the soundtrack is largely lifted from the film, it's only right to open with arguably the best opening song to a Disney film. What makes this different is that it's not the bombastic orchestration of Hans Zimmer. It's more percussive, relying on African instrumentation and vocalists to create something more fitting for the stage. What it does isn't recreate the familiar, but make it into something authentic to the culture that The Lion King has always represented. Every song has been skewed in a way that avoids feeling cynical, instead of relying on a sense of heritage to drive the story in ways more fitting. Luckily, the overwhelming build of this song still works in its new form and sets the stage perfectly for what's to come.

Carryovers
"Circle of Life," "Grassland Chant," "The Morning Report," 
"I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "Be Prepared," "The Stampede," "Hakuna Matata," "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life"

Yes, there's a lot of carryovers on this soundtrack as one could guess. However, what makes every one of these tracks work is that they're adapted to fit the stage. They're also given more of an African feel, with vocalists adding a melodic undertone to the percussive instruments. It's not a studio film anymore. It's a feeling of personal expression, whether it's the typical joy of "Hakuna Matata" or the sadness that inhabits the latter half. Still, there's something astounding about recreating this soundtrack on stage that is missed in film, such as "The Stampede," which is done with a heavier reliance on vocals. It just sounds more impressive and intense and makes one curious what the theatrical experience truly is about.

High Point:

"He Lives in You (Reprise)"

In almost every case, the returning songs are arguably the best that the show has going for it. However, there's something powerful about incorporating the film score into this song. It adds a tender beauty to the feeling of death and grief. It's the ability to move on that is bittersweet and makes one long to see Simba continue to his rightful place. There's plenty to love on the soundtrack, but where there's an original addition that actually expands the emotions into something beautiful. It adds to everything that's happened without becoming too saccharine. 

Low Point:

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight"

Okay, it's a bit unfair to pick on a gag song in the story. It barely lasts a minute and doesn't really have much that's wrong with it. However, when looking at the power of the rest of the show, it's easy to see it as being lesser. It doesn't have the comedic gravitas that "Hakuna Matata" has nor the emotional weight of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." All that it has is a fun jokey moment that plays out well enough and never overstays its welcome. It's fine, but when you're dealing with a catalog this rich, it's hard to compare.

What Does It Bring to the Story?

For the most part, it's a straightforward adaptation with not a lot to say that's new. The only thing that could be construed as new is that Scar now seems more dominant and amorous. In "The Madness of King Scar," he longs for a mate. It's not a terrible addition, though considering that Scar came across as ambiguously gay in the film, it seems a bit off. Of course, this is only from the audio. The Lion King as a stage show is famously full of rich improvements to the story. Instrumentally, it's been shifted to a more African vibe in every sense. It also has animal outfits that have themselves become iconic. Everything about the show feels like it was upgraded in significant ways. But still, as far as the story goes it's more of the same. 

Was This Necessary?

Yes

If judging just based off of the musical component, the show is exceptionally done. It manages to update the music in a way that fits the African imagery and not just a karaoke version of the film. It helps that every song feels new again. It also helps that the revolutionary set design continues to be praised for its originality, creating a sight to behold. However, I think that it's just a definition of what theater can offer at this point. One can expect that the vocal harmonizing is more powerful in a theater, as well as the reality that the show is done predominantly by West African actors - a rarity in any American production. Everything about it feels like it was adapted with purpose, which is a relief. It set the template for what these Disney live shows should be, and few have gained the reputation yet of this show.