By Liz Eichler
“There are tears in my eyes,” my granddaughter whispered to me after the opening number of Disney’s The Lion King.
“Me too,” I replied.
Even after seeing it four times, it still serves tears and goosebumps at every performance. Performances of the national touring production of Disney’s The Lion King run through July 5, 2026, at the Aronoff Center as part of the Broadway in Cincinnati season.
My husband was sitting elsewhere in the theatre. Neither he nor our granddaughter had seen the show before, and he decided to take advantage of a last minute rush seat. Both now rank it as their favorite musical—yes, even above Hamilton.
That’s one way to experience The Lion King: bring someone who has never seen it. Or splurge on seats close to the stage. Or take it all in from the balcony. There is no wrong way to see this extraordinary production.
Background
The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997—nearly three decades ago.
The first time I saw it, I cried during the opening number. “This is theatre,” I remember thinking, completely awed by my idol, Julie Taymor’s vision. It was at the newly restored New Amsterdam Theatre, Disney’s crown jewel renovation of the era.
I had the opportunity to go backstage and was surprised to discover how many of the costumes incorporated painted muslin and other deceptively simple materials. Up close, they seemed straightforward. Onstage, they become magic.
Plot
Set on the African savanna, The Lion King follows Simba, a young lion prince destined to inherit his father Mufasa’s throne. His uncle Scar conspires with a group of hyenas to seize power, leading Simba to believe he is responsible for a tragedy that forces him into exile.
Far from home, Simba grows up under the carefree guidance of Timon and Pumbaa. Meanwhile, Scar’s reign devastates the Pride Lands, disrupting the circle of life and leaving the kingdom in ruin. When Simba’s childhood friend Nala discovers he is alive, she challenges him to return and claim his rightful place as king.
As in all great fables, the journey is about more than defeating a villain. It is about accepting responsibility, honoring family, and finding one’s place in the world.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman
Performances
Zama Magudulela opens the show as Rafiki, bringing wisdom, humor, and warmth to the role. She was my husband’s favorite character of the evening.
At this performance, understudy Ben Toomer stepped into the role of Mufasa. His voice is rich, powerful, and reassuring. The woman behind me remarked that he has a “George Washington quality”—the presence of a true leader—and I understood exactly what she meant.
Josiah Watson is an adorable Young Simba, while Marley Gomes brings plenty of spirit to Young Nala. As the adult Nala, Thembelihle Cele combines strength and grace, and Jennifer Theriot shines as Sarabi.
Nick LeMedica (Zazu), Nick Cordileone (Timon), and Danny Grumich (Pumbaa) provide excellent comic relief, keeping the audience laughing throughout.
Joel Karie, understudying as Ed, delivers a remarkably athletic performance alongside Martina Sykes (Shenzi) and Forest VanDyke (Banzai). Their physicality gives the hyenas an unpredictable energy that is both funny and menacing.
As Scar, Peter Hargrave is simply magnificent. His voice, movement, and razor-sharp sarcasm create a villain audiences love to hate. I do not want to see anyone else but him in this role.
And a special mention for Jane King as the Anthill Lady—a small but memorable role. Gliding across the stage en pointe while surrounded by ants, she creates one of the production’s many visual delights.
Design and Direction
Julie Taymor’s adaptation transformed a beloved animated film into one of the most celebrated stage productions in history. She added depth, visual poetry, her specialties of masks and puppetry–and theatrical imagination–creating a work that continues to captivate new generations.
The score by Elton John and Tim Rice remains iconic, while the book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi successfully expands the story for the stage. The live orchestra is conducted by Karl Shymanovitz.
Richard Hudson’s scenic design and Donald Holder’s lighting evoke the vastness of Africa—from sunrise to sunset, desert to jungle. The lighting is particularly effective, painting emotion on the stage in vibrant greens, golds, reds and deep blues.
The costumes, designed by Taymor, remain among the greatest achievements in modern theatre. From the lionesses’ flowing capes to the elevated masks and towering stilt-walking animals, every design choice feels inspired. Throughout the show Taymor chooses influences from African, Asian, and Australian artistic traditions which blend into a visual language entirely its own.
The puppetry, created by Michael Curry and Taymor, remains astonishing. Characters shift seamlessly from full-sized puppets to handheld versions within the same scene, helping tell the story with elegance and imagination. Shadow puppetry adds yet another layer of theatrical storytelling. And of course, the full size elephant lumbering down the aisle is astonishing every time.
Stage Manager Charles Underhill keeps this massive production running flawlessly in its temporary home at the Aronoff.
And for those wondering about the sound quality in the Aronoff: excellent. Sound Designer Steve Canyon Kennedy’s work ensures every lyric, line, and musical moment comes through clearly.
Highly Recommended
What finally brought my husband to The Lion King was our granddaughter.
As the animals filled the aisles and the opening notes of “Circle of Life” rang through the theatre, I found myself watching her almost as much as the stage. The amazement on her face was a reminder that great theatre isn’t just something we experience—it is something we share.
That turned out to be the perfect reason.
The Lion King is a story about family. Biological or chosen. Families onstage and in the audience. Even cast-member families, raising children together on tour while performing these roles night after night–for twenty years. And the merch team tours with the show as well. The show celebrates connection, responsibility, and the circle of life in ways that resonate whether you are six or sixty.
There is a reason this remains the world’s most successful musical. Every performance creates new memories for a new generation of theatre lovers.
Do yourself a favor. Experience Disney’s The Lion King tour it for yourself. Get your tickets from Broadway in Cincinnati and head to the Aronoff before July 5, 2026.
