Lion King, The

Lion King, The (1997), a musical play by Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi (book), Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics). [New Amsterdam Theatre, still running; Tony, NYDCC Awards.] Director–costume/puppet designer Julie Taymor took the 1994 Disney animated film and turned it into a thrilling theatrical experience, rethinking the movie in terms of ritual theatre performance. The villainous lion Scar ( John Vickery) murders his brother, King Mufasa ( Samuel E. Wright), then convinces the lion cub Simba ( Scott Irby‐Ranniar) that he is responsible for his father's death. Simba flees and Scar becomes king; but once he matures and realizes his responsibilities, the grown‐up Simba ( Jason Raize) returns to oust Scar and rule as the rightful lion king. Notable songs: Circle of Life; Can You Feel the Love Tonight; Hakuna Matata. This tribal tale is told through dance, puppetry, choral chanting, and a variety of theatrics that dazzle the eye while they feed the imagination. Critical acclaim and strong popular demand kept the Disney‐produced musical at SRO for years. Julie TAYMOR (b. 1952) was born in Boston, the daughter of a gynecologist and a political activist, educated at Oberlin College, and studied puppetry with the Bread and Puppet Theatre and in Bali. Taymor directed the classics in regional theatre while her puppet and mask creations were seen in such New York productions as The Haggadah (1980) and Black Elk Speaks (1981). She co‐wrote, staged, and designed the theatrical fable Juan Darién, which arrived on Broadway in 1996. Endlessly creative, Taymor uses both ancient performance techniques and modern innovative ideas to create theatre pieces that are surprisingly accessible.