Touring production of ‘The Lion King’ goes beyond animated film

Welcome to Disney’s "The Lion King,” an award-winning stage musical that is coming to Oklahoma City, where it will play a five-week engagement at the Civic Center Music Hall.

The touring production is being presented locally by Tulsa-based Celebrity Attractions.

"I’ve never worked on a show before where audience members rush through the lobby to take their seats,” said Fred Klaisner, the tour’s production stage manager. "They’re afraid they’ll miss ‘The Circle of Life,’ the grand opening number which still amazes me even after six years with this show.”

"The Lion King” was the second of four animated films to be adapted for the stage. Disney first tested the waters in 1994 with "Beauty and the Beast,” a show that would prove exceedingly popular. It closed in July 2007 after a 13-year run. The subsequent success of "The Lion King” resulted in two additional Disney stage musicals: "Tarzan,” which ran just more than a year, and "The Little Mermaid,” which celebrated its first anniversary on Broadway in January.

Mufasa, the reigning Lion King, is challenged by his evil brother, Scar, who believes he, not Mufasa’s son, Simba, should be next in line to become king.

Over time, Simba learns some painful but important lessons about the delicate circle of life. On his journey from a young cub to adulthood, Simba comes to realize that Scar’s motives are evil and self-serving.

The two ultimately engage in a battle for supremacy, with Simba emerging as the true Lion King.