Ready to roar: Jubilant 'Lion King' returns to Chicago
Giraffes gracefully glide down the aisle. An oversized elephant lumbers into view. A baboon belts out "The Circle of Life," that irresistible combo of British pop and Zulu. And smiles break out on the faces of 6- and 60-year-olds alike as "The Lion King" roars back into Chicago.
The beloved musical about one of Disney's more dysfunctional families runs through Jan. 17 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. An energetic cast brings it all to life from the opening scene, with Mukelisiwe Goba setting the tone as the seer Rafiki. Her South African roots and gospel experience give "Circle of Life" the power anthem oomph it needs.
The coming-of-age tale of lion cub Simba - who survives his Uncle Scar's betrayal and the murder of Mufasa, the father he idolizes - combines high tragedy and slapstick comedy as the youngster faces his fears and claims his throne. The show splits the Simba character into cub and young adult parts, requiring a charismatic actor to hit the grasslands running.
In early scenes, Tre Jones is an energetic young Simba ably seconded by the luminous young Nala (Mikari Tarpley). Then, Blaine Alden Krauss (holding the role until Aaron Nelson takes over Wednesday) bounds onto the stage as grown-up Simba and cartwheels right into the heart of the narrative. His Simba makes a compelling metamorphosis from angsty teen lion to conflicted adult to warrior king.
South suburbanite Nia Holloway's pure soprano and intensity as Nala mesh perfectly with Krauss' Simba, creating an instant chemistry between the two.
As Mufasa, Gerald Ramsey has the required gravitas of the majestic Lion King. But his more playful scenes with young Simba and pompous major-domo Zazu seem a touch forced. After rescuing Simba from three hungry hyenas, however, something clicks onstage, and Ramsey has some wonderful moments as a vulnerable and loving father too aware that life can change in a moment.
No one's ever explained why Scar, who presumably was raised in the Serengeti, has an upper-class British accent - a carry-over from the animated film's cast - but it works for Patrick R. Brown. His urbane Scar has a latent savagery that emerges in the final satisfying clash with his nephew.
Simba's sidekicks warthog Pumbaa (Ben Lipitz) and meerkat Timon (Nick Cordileone) get the comic timing just right and draw plenty of guffaws from the young crowd.
Meanwhile, beautifully crafted animal masks and costumes transport the audience to the Serengeti. The primitive quality of the design evokes a child's drawings and appeals to that imaginative spirit.
The ebullient chorus also shines in ensemble numbers with vivid coloring and choreography whether in the plaintive "Shadowland" lament or edgy "Be Prepared" featuring goose-stepping hyenas.
This "Lion King" deserves a paw's up.
(Parental warning: Expect jubilation from the preschool crowd but make sure your kids know the story in advance and be prepared for some lap-sitting at scarier moments.)
“The Lion King”
★ ★ ★ ½
Location: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W Randolph St, Chicago, (800) 775-2000 or
Showtimes: Various times through Sunday, Jan. 17. Largely 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and select Tuesdays, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; no shows Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.
Running time: Two and a half hours with intermission
Tickets: $35 to $180
Parking: Paid lots nearby
Rating: For general audiences