I've waited years to get to see Lion King. When we lived in PA and it was new on Broadway I wanted to see it, but tickets were being sold a year in advance and I never had my life so organized that I could schedule something that far off. So, I never went--then we moved and were not one and a half hours from NYC anymore---so I put it out of my mind.
Now, we are in Iowa and the Lion King is playing in Des Moines---Phil bought me tickets for my birthday. The day finally arrived---last Saturday. We got up early and drove to Des Moines, getting there in a little less than two hours. We took the exit and drove straight to the Civic Center, no problem. There was a parking garage next door---with a special show price for parking---$3.00. Can you believe it? So easy and stress free. Not at all like a trip to NYC, which would involve traffic jams, paying to go through the tunnel, paying to park--a lot more than $3.00. This was actually pleasant. Got into the Center, waited in the big lobby for about 45 minutes, people watching. Couldn't help but notice how different the people are here compared to NYC---so different. When we were finally allowed into the auditorium we found our seats, about five or six rows back, if that, and in the center area. Good---no, GREAT seats. The lady who sat next to me was pleasant, from Kansas City, she and five family members drove up from Kansas City to see the show, they took last minute seats and were scattered around the room.
The show started, and it took me by surprise--I almost wish I could see it again, the woman who is on all the commercials was there, singing those three notes---long and drawn out. At the same time the stage AND auditorium filled up with actors---dressed as the animals of Africa. It was WONDERFUL, the music, the actors, the costumes---it actually brought tears to my eyes--I couldn't help it! A bicycle contraption with antelope figures attached to its mechanics had them jumping across the stage, lions (people with masks on their heads) a woman dancer attached to a cheeta puppet made it slouch expertly across the stage, a huge elephant meandered down the isle---made up of two or more people, it was wonderful. Drummers set up on both sides of the stage played bongos and drums, the orchastra was in is usual place below the stage.
The Lion King story is well known, I didn't really go for the story, but the actors, costumes, music. I was impressed with the actor who played the King---he walked proudly, as you would think a king would, and yet animal like. He had a big booming voice. The actor who played his scheming brother was wonderfully mean, oh, I could go on and on---lets just say I LOVED it.
There were times that took my breath away, set design, costume design. One in particular was when the pride of lionness were greiving for the dead king. They looked out at us, and put their hands to their faces, and pulled long strands of silvery ribbon from their eyes, these ribbons fell from their eyes to the floor, conveying the idea of greiving, tears, crying for their dead king. It did exactly that----it was an exquisite moment, I loved it.
The show got a little long in the second half, kids in the audience were crying and restless, but soon it started the beginning of the ending, again all the animals/actors came on stage and we got to see the show at its best.
The whole thing got me thinking about a Christmas program at our church, using the animal/people idea. Hmmmmmm
