Where: The Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle.
When: Through March 15. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Plus a Thursday matinee at 1 p.m. on March 12.
Tickets: $19.75 to $75, special reservation $115 tickets in the loge.
What’s the old advertising chestnut? “Run, don’t walk!” That’s what we’ve been telling everyone about The Lion King, playing at the Paramount Theatre until March 15. Disney’s Tony Award-winning Broadway play about a lion cub and his struggle to take his rightful place in the pridelands is every bit as powerful as you might have already heard.
It takes two 48-foot semi-trailer trucks to transport the production’s puppets from city to city, and it truly is a technical tour-de-force. The opening scene, in which all the animals converge at Pride Rock brought me to tears. We were right on the aisle where the 13-foot-long and 11-foot-tall elephant (with four actors inside) lumbers by – it was truly amazing.
My son loved the comedy, as usual, including pratfalls and the beloved Timon and Pumbaa. He did appreciate the novelty of creator Julie Taymor’s costumes, masks, and puppets, saying, “I wish the animals could pass by again!”
It was a bit of a stamina challenge for a 6-year-old. We went on Friday night, with an 8 p.m. curtain. With two full acts, even my little night owl was running low on energy toward the end of the show. Parents of younger children should consider that there are some loud booms, lightning strikes, and “circle of life” violence. Don’t forget to ask for a pillow booster for your little ones to get a better view.
Kids who love the movie will recognize and love the show, with favorite tunes “Hakuna Matata” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” Adults will appreciate the additional African music, including live drummers on either side of the set and the pumped-up role of Rafiki. Now a female character, Rafiki is played by a South African actress, Phindile Mkhize, who is a true gem. She leads us along this journey so well that we go along as true participants, not just spectators, with humor, pathos and a voice straight from the soul of Africa.
Run, don’t walk! Make up a special occasion if you have to, but go see The Lion King!
