Lion King Musical at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre – Review
Lion King is currently performing on tour in Orlando FL at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. The show opens April 19 at 8 p.m. and will run for four weeks through May 13.
Lion King musical plays at The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 1 p.m. There will be a 2:00pm matinee performance on Thursday, May 10 and there will not be a 6:30pm performance on Sunday, May 13.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring The Lion King back to Orlando,” said Ron Legler, President and CEO of Florida Theatrical Association. “Thus far sales have exceeded our expectations, but there are still great seats available.”
Here is the review by Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Theater Critic:
The touring version, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre for nearly a month, certainly delivers all the goods that have made the story of Simba the lion a raging success.
The animated Disney film, on which the musical is based, handled the mix of grownup themes and kiddie fare with aplomb; the stage version isn’t always as successful. It can’t help but be jarring when against a backdrop of exquisitely designed costumes, flowing dance moves and that hypnotic African chanting to suddenly have a squawking bird crack a one-liner. (Though it must be pointed out that Mark David Kaplan, as the bird Zazu, expertly squawks and sputters like a classic Vaudevillian ham.)
The other principal comic players — Nick Cordileone and Adam Kozlowski as Timon and Pumbaa, the trio portraying hyenas — embody the personas of their animated predecessors.
It’s up to the dramatic actors to add some flesh and blood to the cartoon characters, and they succeed admirably.
J. Anthony Crane’s Scar is appropriately melodramatic and imposing, though his growly shouting buries some of Scar’s jokier lines and he talk-sings too much of his signature “Be Prepared,” giving the unsettling melody short shrift.
Dionne Randolph is a less grave, more energetic Mufasa than some — which makes his worries over parenting Simba and untimely death more poignant. Jelani Remi and Syndee Winters as adult Simba and his gal Nala also have youthful singing voices, which enhance their characterizations.
Perhaps the younger sounds help bring a freshness to the show, which avoids feeling mechanical even after all these years. Certainly adding to the exuberance factor: Adante Power, whose Young Simba is a whirlwind of personality with a dynamite grin.
And irrepressible Buyi Zama manages the tricky feat of being both grave and hysterical simultaneously as wise old Rafiki.
Read the complere review {Via OrlandoSentinel.com}
Lion King Musical will be at Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre through May 13, 2012. Get $10 OFF on Lion King Orlando FL Tickets Orders of $350 or more by using code #SpringSavings at Checkout.
