‘Lion King’ deserves roar of applause

By Brandy McDonnell | Published: May 15, 2009

Timothy Carter and Dionne Randolph perform in a scene from "The Lion King,” being staged at Civic Center Music Hall through May 24. PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS, COPYRIGHT DISNEY

When the giant elephant powered by four actors lumbered up the aisle toward the stage in Civic Center Music Hall, I knew my second trip to "The Lion King” would be just as captivating as the first.

The Tony Award-winning musical’s first run in Oklahoma City continues through May 24, and missing it would be an elephantine mistake.

My mom, sister and I recently made a girls’ night out to attend one of the stunning performances in Oklahoma City.

It was my second time to see Julie Taymor’s awe-inspiring adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated film. My mother-in-law treated my family to tickets to the national touring production when it stopped in Tulsa three years ago.

My first viewing of the show always will have special significance, and not only because of the inventive stage and costume design dazzle.

I was pregnant with my younger son, Gabe, at the time, and I first felt him move when Rafiki the baboon hit the first high notes of the opening song "Circle of Life.”

Major moments in motherhood notwithstanding, I found "The Lion King” still satisfies with repeat viewing.

The assembling of animals in the opener still evoked a childlike wonder in me the second time around.

For those not familiar with Taymor’s inventive approach to the musical, it uses elaborate costumes and puppets to transform the actors into lions, hyenas and zebras.

Puppeteers swing bird puppets high overhead; an actress wears a cheetah costume around her hips, her back legs serving as the cat’s hind feet; a performer with gazelle puppets lining her arms leaps gracefully across the stage.

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