'Disney's The Lion King' an all-ages spectacle

The opening scene of "Disney's The Lion King" provides a "wow" factor typically reserved for the finale at most Broadway musicals.

The show, which opened in Chicago this weekend, begins with nearly all 53 cast members on stage and in the aisles, wearing creative, eye-grabbing animal costumes and singing one of the show's best known songs by Elton John, "Circle of Life," accompanied by African drums played by live percussionists in the balconies.

And that's just the first 15 minutes.

Act I's "wow" carries on for the next 2½ hours (including intermission), making this musical one which no other can hold a candle to.

The plot is not high or complex art, and it's exactly like the 1994 animated movie version.

Simba the lion cub is born to King Mufasa, the deep-voiced ruler of the Pridelands. Simba's expected to be the successor to the throne, but is tricked by his evil, power-seeking uncle into visiting a wasteland overrun with dangerous hyenas.

King Mufasa rescues Simba but ends up being killed. Convinced he's responsible for his father's death, Simba runs away from home, only to grow up and realize he can't hide from his past.

Everything about this show is spectacular, including the perfect pacing, the artistic use of lighting, the outstanding set design (they even create a stampede), the African chants, and the tremendous singing and dancing by the entire cast.

The real star of the show, though, is the music.

The catchy soundtrack includes the pop hit "Can you Feel the Love Tonight?" the feel-good "Hakuna Matata" (Swahili for "Don't worry about it") and the upbeat "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," which features bobbing, 18-foot giraffes.

One standout song is the powerful "He Lives in You," which evokes such emotion, it feels like you're in church. It's performed while Simba is mourning his father, and the scene is topped off with a mesmerizing special effect.

The show features 200 amazing puppets, representing 25 different animals. The only one that's a bit of a letdown is the goofball meerkat character, Timon. Timon's a small 15-pound rod puppet carried by an actor covered head-to-toe in green paint (including dyed green hair), which is a bit distracting in an otherwise thoroughly entertaining production.

The show incorporates a bit of humor, but never gets sappy or slapstick, and it's suitable for adults as well as kids. It's recommended for ages 6 and up because of a few potentially scary moments with the hyenas and the parental death scene (a Disney staple, but still).

This is the third time in seven years Lion King been staged in Chicago, so it's possible this could be the final run. While expensive ticket prices are often a deterrent to big production musicals, this is one that's worth the price.

<p class="factboxheadblack">'Disney's The Lion King'</p>

<p class="News"><b>Location:</b> Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (312) 911-1700, broadwayinchicago.com. Runs through Nov. 27.</p>

<p class="News">★★★★</p>

<p class="News"><b>Showtimes:</b> 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 2 p.m. matinees Wednesdays and Saturdays; 1 p.m. matinee Sundays, and also on Tuesdays Oct. 26, Nov. 16 and Nov. 23; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26</p>

<p class="News"><b>Running time:</b> 2½ hours with one intermission</p>

<p class="News"><b>Tickets: </b>$25-$166</p>

<p class="News"><b>Parking:</b> Pay garages </p>

<p class="News"><b>Rating:</b> none, except death of a parent</p>