The Lion King at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

When The Lion King Musical premiered on Broadway in 1997, the audience was stunned by how the musical made the 1994 animated film into an epic show fit for both young viewers and adults! The music, based on the compositions from the film, has exponentially left its contemporary music origins. The musical has transformed the tracks, giving them true African music influences.

After all, the Lion King’s story was set in the vast savannas of Africa. Besides the change of music structures, the costume and puppet designs were also awe-inspiring. Just how do you portray large wild animals on stage without making it cartoonish or almost childish? Apparently, Taymor has masterfully achieved this and won multiple awards for her innovativeness. The New York Times was prompt to commend this achievement. “Ms. Taymor's vision, which is largely rooted in ritual forms of theater from Asia and Africa, collides with that of Disney, where visual spectacle is harnessed in the service of heartwarming storytelling. There will inevitably be longueurs for adults and children attending this show. But it offers a refreshing and more sophisticated alternative to the standard panoply of special effects that dominate most tourist-oriented shows today. Seen purely as a visual tapestry, there is simply nothing else like it.”

This 2024 at the Orpheum Theatre, you can look forward to the same level, sophistication, and brilliance as The Lion King’s 1997 Broadway production. As mentioned by a critic from Entertainment Weekly, “The Lion King can make you develop a deep affection for theater, no matter what theater it's in.”

Indeed, no matter how long the production has been ongoing, The Lion King remains one of the highly acclaimed musicals of all time. It’s currently recorded as Broadway’s enduring show, surpassing over 1 billion dollars in ticket sales. It has also been recorded that the musical has been enjoyed by over 112 million people worldwide. That number is constantly expanding due to musical enthusiasts flocking to the theaters to catch The Lion King!

So be sure not to miss out on The Lion King as it takes over the Orpheum Theatre on Saturday 13th April 2024! If you’re eager on catching Saturday’s performance, you better tap on the Get Tickets link now!