Looking for TLKoB midis

[HasiraKali]

I'm glad you had a good time Kiara. :) Which cast did you see? How were they? Wallace? Patrick Page? :D

It's always been crazy to me how the theaters are all connected like that. The Minskoff is also connected to the MTV Studios. The show that was there a few years ago (Dance of the Vampires) used to store things in the windows just above to freak people out. :lol:

Any chance of sharing that mp3? ;)

[imported_kiara]

yea, if shat finds it and can post it to me ill share mp3s mebby XD .. or ill pick it up when i go there in december again .. so either way you have to wait ..

and we saw Wallace according to the book thing i had .. and all actors were very good indeed

[Zaya]

Hey, it's meeee, OHHHH you found that pick of Vicky HK! Soooo nice!

Btw, I'm working on my Nala mask these days...should be all done and "wraped up" till end of next month haha ;)

K, I'm happy you enjoyed the show, you better say something good about Wallace cause HK expects you too :lol:

[imported_kiara]

well wallace did nothing bad or wrong, he was very good and talented ;)

[HasiraKali]

Wallace is the awesomeness. :D :rawr:

Z: We still need to find a time to go through each other's picture collections. ;)

[Lion_King_300]

Glad you enjoyed the show Kiara! (As if you wouldn't!)

And great pics of Times Square and the theatre - that's actually the first time I've ever seen the interior of the Minskoff. That Mufasa mask over the staircase is so cool!

Thanks so much for sharing! Next time you can get that snowglobe and the mask ornaments.

I was in a similar situation in the gift shop after I saw the show in NYC, I had already spent a lot and wanted to get the Japanese cast album and decided not to although I had the money-and ended up really regretting it since it's so rare and I couldn't find it anywhere else for like months afterward.

And, you're also the first one of us to see THE GREAT Wallace Smith on broadway! That's special in its own right.

---

Great Article on Gugwana, HK! I love reading those, especially when the actors reveal that the show really means something to them, like a connection to their homeland.

I love the irony of this line, too:

"Before joining "The Lion King," she appeared in a stage version of "Sarafina"....

I was like... WHAT?!?!?

:confused:


I'll seriously try to post here more and get this thread rolling a bit - don't want to leave Amanda here alone. I'll see if I can come up with a contribution soon.

EDIT to HK: Wasn't it Gugwana we saw in Orlando? I think it was but I can't remember - and I'm too lazy to go look for the playbill ;) I know I've seen her as Rafiki at least once.

All I remember was you saying "She's LOUD!" :lol:

[imported_kiara]

Originally posted by Lion_King_300


And, you're also the first one of us to see THE GREAT Wallace Smith on broadway! That's special in its own right.


Woot, really XD Thats cool :D

[Zaya]

buhuuu Wallace, I'm still voting for mr. Brian Temba in Londons West End!!! :lol:

just jk, Wallace is cool ;)

[HasiraKali]

Originally posted by Lion_King_300
Glad you enjoyed the show Kiara! (As if you wouldn't!)

And great pics of Times Square and the theatre - that's actually the first time I've ever seen the interior of the Minskoff. That Mufasa mask over the staircase is so cool!

Thanks so much for sharing! Next time you can get that snowglobe and the mask ornaments.

I was in a similar situation in the gift shop after I saw the show in NYC, I had already spent a lot and wanted to get the Japanese cast album and decided not to although I had the money-and ended up really regretting it since it's so rare and I couldn't find it anywhere else for like months afterward.

And, you're also the first one of us to see THE GREAT Wallace Smith on broadway! That's special in its own right.

---

Great Article on Gugwana, HK! I love reading those, especially when the actors reveal that the show really means something to them, like a connection to their homeland.

I love the irony of this line, too:

"Before joining "The Lion King," she appeared in a stage version of "Sarafina"....

I was like... WHAT?!?!?

:confused:


I'll seriously try to post here more and get this thread rolling a bit - don't want to leave Amanda here alone. I'll see if I can come up with a contribution soon.

EDIT to HK: Wasn't it Gugwana we saw in Orlando? I think it was but I can't remember - and I'm too lazy to go look for the playbill ;) I know I've seen her as Rafiki at least once.

All I remember was you saying "She's LOUD!" :lol:

Gugwana is with the Cheetah company. We saw the other girl. Her name escapes me at the moment. I wish I could remember her name. That's going to drive me nuts until I get off my butt and go look. :lol:

[Zaya]

I just remembered, tho I don't wanna ask the zillionth time but...did Nathalie get hold of the London show video yet? ;)

[nathalie]

Nope.

I'm tired of bugging that person.
I know he has them ... 'cause I know others who got it from him.

So I'll start bugging those people, hehe.

[HasiraKali]

Yes. Bug them. :lol: There aren't that many around and the love really needs to be shared.

[nathalie]

There's a German one aswell ^^

I'm trying ... God knows I am, haha.

[Zaya]

Haha, you better ;) Remember, me and HK love you, but we'd love you even more with those recordings hahahaha :lol: Just joking :D

Who are those people, I can help you bug them ;) I'm a pro!

[nathalie]

They are Dutch speaking people, lol.

So much easier to bug someone in your own language :p

[Zaya]

hahaha...well give them to me, I'll hraktekafer ven tersta hroven ze :lol: I hope I didn't actually say something hahahahaha

Can't they be buged in english? And aren't they up for some exchanges or something? =D

[nathalie]

I don't know yet, I haven't started bugging those, haha.

Been little busy lately, other things on my mind :)

[Lion_King_300]

As promised, here's my TLKOB contribution - Some photo stills that can be used as wallpapers/backgrounds.

I apologize that some of them are a bit out of focus but many of them turned out great - like the "sun & birds" one.

Can anyone recall where/what specifically these are from? :irule: = leech some of the pics are pretty heavily photoshopped.

There are a whole bunch here so pick and choose your favorites. Enjoy!

Circle of Life (stage left, from wings) (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/COL.jpg)

Circle of Life (Mufasa & Sarabi) (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/COL2.jpg)

Circle of Life - Elephant (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/COL3.jpg)

Circle of Life - Cheetah (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/COL_cheetah.jpg)

Circle of Life - Mufasa & Sarabi on Pride Rock (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/COL_mufasa_sarabi.jpg)

Scar challenges Mufasa (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/challenge.jpg)

Be Prepared - Hyena breakout (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/be_prepared.jpg)

Be Prepared (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/be_prepared2.jpg)

Zazu & The Curtain (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/zazu.jpg)

Sun & Birds (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/sun.jpg)

More to come!

[Lion_King_300]

Here's more bgs, featuring some Simbas too:

Hakuna Matata (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/hakuna_matata.jpg)

Jason Raize (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/jason_raize.jpg)

Lioness collage (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/lioness_collage.jpg)

One by One (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/one_by_one2.jpg)

Roger Wright looking all funky (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/roger_wright.jpg)

Simba 1 (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/simba.jpg)

Simba 2 (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/simba2.jpg)

Simba 3 (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/simba3.jpg)

Shadowland (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/shadowland.jpg)

And finally, here's a rare curtain call piccy from Shanghai - August 2006

Shanghai Curtain Call (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/tlkob_bg/shanghai.jpg)

[Darkslash]

Heyyyy

Anyone know if TLKOB's coming to:

a) Houston
b) Chicago

in the future? I haven't been able to find those cities on the future tour.

[HasiraKali]

It just had a run in Dallas, so I doubt it'll be in Houston for a while. They seem to think that one city in Texas at a time, every few years, is enough.

Those pictures look like they're mostly from London and Broadway promotional material. Like the stuff on the DVD and the clips they use for adverts. And "Simba 2". ;)

OT: Tim, do you remember the song that they play on the "radio" in the Kilimanjaro Safari at AK? I founds it. :evilgrin: Been looking for years! :D

[Sharifu]

The list for the national tours is getting small. :( Do you think that means they'll stop the U.S. tours after the tours go through the cities already on the list?

And this is kind of off topic, even though I guess it is a little related because it's Disney on Broadway... I just found out not too long ago that Tarzan was canceled? What the heck! It was out for just a little over a year... I heard a lot of people didn't like it, but jeez, I excepted it to be out for more then a year... I know Beauty and the Beast was canceled this year, but at least that makes sense, since it was already out for 13 years, and I believe it was one of the longest running Broadway shows... But still I can't get over Tarzan being out for only a year. I kind of wanted to see it someday.

[HasiraKali]

In regards to Tarzan, Disney wanted to focus more on Little Mermaid and the Dutch version of Tarzan (which is doing much better than the Broadway one). When I saw the show in December, it was good but there were lots of story problems. It was almost like they didn't even try to fix those problems during the preview process, because nothing was different. Don't ask how I know this, I don't want to incriminate myself. :evilgrin:

Also, shows are getting more and more expensive, both in production and talent costs, so it's not really cost effective to let a show that's floundering stay open because they'll never recover from it financially.

What makes me mad about BatB was that it was ONLY closed to make way for Little Mermaid. It was still sold out most nights and was drawing crowds. The theater that Tarzan was in was too small for BatB otherwise they would have moved into that once Tarzan closed. Little Mermaid wouldn't fit in there either, so they just decided to close BatB. I have a feeling that if they can get another theater, BatB will be back.

[Sharifu]

That would be awesome to get BatB back, I kind of wanted to see that too...

But yeah, I knew it would cost too much to keep Tarzan open when it's not getting that many people buying tickets. Why do you think the Dutch version is doing so well? Was anything changed for the Dutch version?

[nathalie]

Yeah, Tarzan isn't doing near as good on Broadway as it's doing in The Netherlands.

In The Netherlands, they can't get enough of the show, tickets are selling like hot buns, hehe.

And yes, adjustments went on in the Dutch production, I can't tell what exactly, 'cause I don't know which things haha, but I do know they made changes.
(I really should read more on the Flemish Disney board, it's all there, haha)
And that Phill was there at the premiere, hehe.

[HasiraKali]

Europe just loves musicals more than America. :lol: That sounds like a simplistic answer but it really is the truth. American theater audiences tend to go with things they know which is why Spamalot, Wicked, Mary Poppins and things like that do so well. Also, musicals about certain things just don't sound like they'd work. Dracula for example. That and shows about sex. Spring Awakening for example. Even though Tarzan is fairly well known, the idea of a musical version of it just puts some people off. And when they found out the musical is different than the movie it's based on, that's the end of it.

[imported_kiara]

i got my mp3 back :D

and so i have all recordings on comp, who wants what XD

[nathalie]

What mp3's ?? Live??? o_O
(if it is, please no links on the forum itself thx)

Endless night please !! :D:cheese:

[imported_kiara]

yes TLKoB live .. or original XD

I have endless night with wallace edited and all :D i was gonna upload them on 4share.com, but that will prolly take a while so .. i can send on msn else :p

[nathalie]

Rather it's on msn or 4shared, your upload speed will probably be the same, hehe.

I can't download through msn anyway lately :(
Have to let it check out what's wrong with it.

[imported_kiara]

ok .. ill tell ya when it is on the website then .. but its bad quality

[nathalie]

Who cares about quality, it's Lion King :D hehe

[imported_kiara]

alright .. this should be the link:

*removed* :D

[nathalie]

As said before, please don't post links with things like that on the board itself :)

[imported_kiara]

.. why not :O (and didnt see you edited until now >.<)

[quamer]

I love the part when simba sing "Endless Night" That's my favorite song.

[nathalie]

'cause it's an illegal recording, and basicly not legal to spread around the net
and I don't want this place to get caught or anything :s

sorry about that, couldn't even remember if I putted it in that post the first time or edited it :s

[imported_kiara]

you edited, else i wouldnt have put it in there .. sorry if i lead this place underground o.o;;

[nathalie]

My bad sorry :s

And you won't lead it there, haha.

I just wanna be safe, and keep things like that off the main board :)
Discussing it is still different than acutally putting it up, I don't want any troubles eather :s

[imported_kiara]

well .. you got it now i hope, else ill send on msn


.. weird i didnt think of that from the beginning .. <.<

[HasiraKali]

Me me me me me! :D Wallace! Could you PM the link? I'm probably more excited than I should be. :lol:

[Lion_King_300]

Here's a couple awesome pics from the French production Le Roi Lion - conveniently sized for your desktop wallpaper!

Rafiki (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/rafiki_bg.jpg)

Lionesses (http://students.washington.edu/tim300/lionesses_bg.jpg)

:)

[HasiraKali]

Sweet! I love the lioness one. :D

[HasiraKali]

Ah, Tim. I see a Scar mask to counted my Simba mask. ;) :lol:

Here's a lovely little article about Nathaniel Stampley, the current Broadway Mufasa and former London and Cheetah company Mufasa.

Tune Thursday: Broadway's "Lion King" balances spectacle with intimate storytelling

As this Tony Award-winning musical gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary in NYC, Jim Hill chats with Nathaniel Stampley. Who talks about how the sacrifices that his own father made as well as the recent birth of his daughter informs Stampley's performance of Mufasa

It's often been said that one part (To be specific, the right role in the right show at the right time) can make your career on Broadway.

Well, when it comes to Nathaniel Stampley -- the veteran performer who's now playing the part of Mufasa in the Broadway production of "The Lion King" -- Nathaniel literally owes the life that he has today to winning a spot in the first road company of this long-running Disney Theatrical production.

"That one audition opened so many doors for me," Stampley explained. "I met my wife because we were performing together in that show. I got to travel the world. I got to star on Broadway and even became a father. All because I was lucky enough to land a part in the first road company of 'The Lion King."

Mind you, that almost didn't happen. You see, Nathaniel's callback for this Disney Theatrical Production was scheduled for the early part of September of 2001. To be specific, these auditions were being held in NYC just days after 9/11 happened.
"And you have to remember that -- right after the Towers fell -- that the FAA had stopped all commercial air traffic in the U.S. for a few days so that they complete their investigation," Stampley continued. "So there I was, stuck in Chicago. Unable to get down to New York to attend that callback. And I just had to get to that audition, because I knew that being in 'The Lion King' was going to be very important for me. That it could be the break that I was looking for."

Luckily, Natheniel's father came through him. Mr. Stampley offered to drive up from his home in Detroit to Chicago. Then -- together -- father and son would take that 14-hour-trip down to NYC. Doing the whole drive in one straight shot.

Because of his father's sacrifice, Nathaniel actually made it to the "Lion King" callback with just minutes to spare. And now ... To find himself playing the part of Mufasa, a father who puts his own life on the line in order to save his son ... Well, that irony isn't lost on Stampley.

"For all the pomp and spectacle that there is in 'The Lion King,' my absolute favorite moment in this show is when Mufasa and Young Simba are standing alone on stage," Nathaniel said. "Mufasa has just sent Zazu and Young Nala away. And it looks like the King is going to punish his son for disobeying his orders and visiting that Elephant's Graveyard. But -- instead -- Mufasa takes off his crown and talks about how frightened he was that he almost lost Simba. It's not what the audience is expecting. And it's probably the most intimate moment in the show."

To Stampley's way of thinking, it's this scene that really reveals what "The Lion King" is all about. Those all-important lessons that parents hand down to their children about the sacrifices that we sometimes have to make in life.
"You know, I didn't actually become a father until I'd been playing Mufasa for a while," Nathaniel continue. "And I find that -- since the birth of my daughter, Ayana -- that that scene between Mufasa and Young Simba means so much more to me now. Becoming a father, seeing how tiny & fragile my daughter is, I realize that I'm not always going to be here to protect her. Which is why it's so important for me now to try & pass along those life lessons. So that Ayana will grow to become a good person and then pass along those same lessons to her own children one day."

And that tenderness that Stampley feels for his daughter, coupled with the sacrifice that Nathaniel's Dad made in order to make sure that his son made it into NYC in time to attend those 'Lion King' callbacks ... That all informs his performance as Mufasa. Particularly in that scene where the King and his son are standing alone together on stage, looking up into the night sky.

"There are nights when we're doing that scene where the house goes completely quiet," Natheniel marvels. "Where nobody talks, nobody breathes. 1700 people get caught up in this very tender moment between father and son."
People sometimes forget that about Disney's "The Lion King." That -- because of Julie Taymor's amazing stagecraft -- they think of this long-running show as just being a spectacle that's loaded with puppets and elaborate costumes. And don't get me wrong. There is a lot of that stuff in this Tony Award-winning musical.
But in its heart of hearts, "The Lion King" is this intimate show about relationships. The friends who get us through the tough times. The sacrifices that our parents make. Those lessons that get passed down from father to son.
And Nathaniel Stampley tries to hammer home that idea every night as he stands onstage at the Minskoff Theatre. Particularly when Mufasa directs Young Simba's attention up toward the stars. Where -- legends has it -- the great kings of the past look down from the night sky and watch over us all.
Speaking of star-filled nights ... The stage version of Disney's "The Lion King" will be celebrated its 10th anniversary on Broadway later this month with a gala performance which will be on Sunday, November 11th.

It's got some nice pictures too. http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2007/11/01/broadway-s-the-lion-king-balances-stage-spectacle-with-intimate-storytelling.aspx

[Zaya]

found this article about the London cast a while ago, more about South Africa and music in general, rather than Lion King...but hey...still:

For export: Mzansi's finest
May 22, 2007

By Adrienne Sichel

When Simba, muscles a-ripple, prowls the London stage serenading the stars, it's impossible to tell that actually he's from Soshanguve.

Brian Themba Makiwane is, in fact, he proudly tells me after a Sunday matinee performance of The Lion King at London's Lyceum Theatre, the first South African, in the musical's 10-year history, to be cast as Simba. The count for the female lead of Rafiki is 11.

The young singer and actor's adoration of everything American - he has the accent to prove it - adds to the impression that he is not a homeboy. With his long dreads (not visible in his performance) he could pass for a rapper, but he is an R'nB man who dabbles in producing and is highly critical of instant emcees.

As the conversation gets going with fellow exports Umlazi's Brown Lindiwe Mkhize, from the original Amsterdam company, who sets the Lyceum stage alight with Rafiki's spirituality and KwaMashu's Mabonga Khumalo, one of the original members of the West End ensemble since 1999, the homesickness surfaces.

To remedy their yearning the trio, and some of the other cast members from Mzansi (the current total is eight), have braais.

Although they're very proud of the fact that this Disney musical introduces isiZulu words and expressions to audiences from Putney to Knightsbridge (not excluding the national and global tourists) at these get togethers they speak their native tongue and "reminisce about the old days".

It was fascinating to realise that these musical theatre pros weren't trained at any university. Between them they either gained experience as gospel singers at church, with Joyous Celebration, and/or learned the ropes with Mbongeni Ngema.

They are fierce custodians of their cultural traditions which they have great pride in sharing with multicultural audiences. Adding to their isolation from the motherland is the fact that compatriots never come backstage. At one performance Brown Mkhize was shocked, and delighted, to hear a "Yebo" being called out in response.

London is their home, but they try to come home every two years. On Makiwane's last visit he was touting his R'nB album single, A Part of Me. He grew up hearing R'nB and was highly irritated when he was told this musical genre wasn't African enough .

Mabongwa, whose Committed Artist's credentials started with Ngema's Township Fever and whose voice is on the original soundtrack recording of The Lion King, joined in with stories about musicians being rejected at home for the same reasons and "Boom!" they make it as African artists abroad. "It should be about the music, all music."

They all feel strongly about the need for performing artists, "those with and without international profiles", to be recognised and respected at home… "I don't want to blow my own horn," stresses Makiwane, "but we need to be recognised just like the British and Americans (are in South Africa)".

Equally, they are incensed that icons the calibre of the late Gibson Kente and Mbongeni Ngema aren't honoured with the equivalent of MBEs and OBEs - while they are still alive. They are excited and intrigued about the 10th anniversary production, with an all-South African cast which opens the Montecasino Teatro on June 6 - "It just shows that South Africa has hot talent."

The two men are very supportive of, and complimentary about, Mkhize, who radiates authenticity in the sangoma-esque role of Rafiki.

"She brings her own flavour," is the satisfied verdict.

That's not surprising because, young as she is, she did her time in Mbongeni Ngema's Academy of Performing Arts, appearing in musicals from 1996 to 2004.

Among her credits are The Zulu, Maria Maria, Stimela sase Zola and the disastrous 2004 collaboration, Sing Africa Dance.

"People will recognise me," she says gently. "Now I've got The Lion King they don't know where I am. They are supposed to support us."

"It seems we are outsiders at home," they agree sadly. Maybe that anonymity will change now that there is a reference point with the Teatro Company. Perhaps the public (and the media) will realise just what the hefty number of homegrown performers have achieved over the years from Broadway to the West End, and in-between in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto and from October, in Paris.

Talk about export gold.

[HasiraKali]

This gave me a chuckle. :lol:

November 8, 2007 -- "LION King" audiences at the Minskoff have been sniffing the sweet scent of marijuana. It turns out the pot-head fans of former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, who's doing a nine-day stint at the Nokia Theater next door, were lighting up. "The smoke was so thick it was seeping through the wall and into the Disney audience, and they started complaining," a spy at Monday's show told The Post's Bruce Golding. "The ushers are now very vigilant and making sure nobody lights up." A Nokia rep admitted there were complaints. The Minskoff had no comment.

[imported_kiara]

.. couldnt that have happen a month ago? :lol:

[Shatara]

Indeed XD

Doesnt surprise much, as both venues are in the same building ;)

[imported_kiara]

*has already poke that fact out couple of times and showed number of pics* :p .. you just dont give up blab about that funny coincident, do you :lol:

[HasiraKali]

So... no TLKoB gala tonight. :( If you haven't heard, there's a stagehand strike going on, starting yesterday, and TLK was one of the shows affected. The good thing is, Broadway strikes don't seem to last that long. The last one only lasted four days. So here's hoping that everything will be resolved soon. :)

[imported_kiara]

whyz it a strike going on O.o

[HasiraKali]

I haven't been able to find out why, but it has something to do with union meetings that were taking place with new members but not with older members.

[imported_kiara]

.. but oookey :Ooo: :uhno:

[Shatara]

Originally posted by kiara
*has already poke that fact out couple of times and showed number of pics* :p .. you just dont give up blab about that funny coincident, do you :lol: Nevar :D:vitsm:

[imported_kiara]

Fine :p

Well .. glad it *didnt* happen a month ago mebby anyway .. then maybe this strike would have not given us a show :gasp: Tho .. im not sure if this strike is in all theaters? Or .. ? :thinks:

[HasiraKali]

It's all but eight shows. Xanadu, Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Pygmalion, The Ritz, Mauritius, Cymbeline are still running. The strike has to do with pay scales and working conditions at the theaters. Not all of them are affected, and it has nothing to do with the producers of the shows (Disney Theatrical for example). It has to do with the contracts that the theaters themselves set up with the union workers they have to hire for the shows. It's complicated.

[imported_kiara]

when theres a strike, everything involved is complicated ..

[Lion_King_300]

Wow, I couldn't believe it when I read that - TLKoB going dark? But it was much more than just that show - all but 8 were closed and continue to be, including Mermaid which just opened.

The stagehands union had obviously been planning this for a long time and chose to do their thing when it would really hurt everyone. Just imagine the tens of thousands of people that had tickets for these shows months in advance, some making special trips to NYC just to see the performance, and now all these people have to be turned away.

I'm afraid that they may use this as an excuse to raise the price of Broadway tickets even higher to compensate for lost revenue, they're already pretty astronomical.

And this couldn't have happened at a worse time for Lion King - all ready for their big 10th anniversary performance and even dedicating one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States to the show:

ESB Honors Lion King (http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=22821)

This obviously was a last-resort scenario for negotiations that simply couldn't be agreed upon, but the real losers are the public - those families whose children have been waiting for months and maybe even years to see TLKOB only to find when the special day comes a bunch of angry people are marching in the street... my heart goes out to those families.

I do understand the stagehands' perspective but you really have to think of all the others in this situation that you're deeply affecting, and now that's its been done get through it as fast and humanely as you can and don't stall (like they're still doing now) so the show(s) can go on.

------

And btw great articles Hasira_Kali and Zaya! I especially like the one about Nate Stampley - Jim Hill does excellent work in his blog - I read it for about 2 hours straight last night.

[imported_kiara]

hm .. yea, REALLY glad this didnt happen a month ago now o.o;; Its like exactly a month ago in 4 days and ive been wanting to see show in so many years .. its a scary thought.

I hope this will be solved very soon

[HasiraKali]

In this case, I kind of side with the producers. They way the union's set up now, they have to pay stagehands for a minimum of four hours of work, even if they're just moving a piano, which takes a few minutes. They're also required to pay them for a certain number of hours each week, regardless of if they work or not. It's really kind of messed up. Bloomburg offered to help pay them, but they refused. I really feel bad for the actors who aren't getting paid during this.

[HasiraKali]

I found this interesting article about the dancer who plays the Cheetah in the Cheetah company. There's some interesting info at the end. :( I wonder what that means exactly.

Living the dream
A local dancer gets her teeth into her role as a cheetah in 'The Lion King'
By Burl Burlingame

You can have your bubbly Disney teenage singers called the Cheetah Girls. For Honolulu audiences, the real Cheetah Girl is Charlaine Katsuyoshi of the ensemble menagerie on stage at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Afraid that "Lion King" is sold out? It isn't. Tickets are available for many shows, although there aren't as many choices as there used to be.

We are, of course, talking about "Disney's The Lion King," the extraordinary musical based on the animated movie, and Katsuyoshi is the local girl living her dream. It means strapping on a puppet apparatus and making it come alive, singing and dancing and instilling a willing suspension of disbelief. It's all quite amazing to see, and Katsuyoshi is thrilled to be in the cast, but the icing on the cake is that the road company has set up camp in Honolulu. Cheetah Girl has come home.

"I love it. It's great to hang out with my parents, even if it's at a construction site," said Katsuyoshi, whose given name is a contraction of her parents' names, Charles and Elaine. Her grandmother (the famed Helen Chock of Helena's Hawaiian Food) died recently, and the old Nuuanu home is getting a long-delayed renovation. Whenever she's not perambulating onstage, you're likely to find Katsuyoshi at Home Depot or City Mill.

"It's a treat to be able to see your family whenever you want. When you're so far away, on the mainland, you get out of the habit; but here, you're surrounded by aunties and cousins and old friends."
She always has been a dancer.
"My training in Hawaii was really amazing, actually. My mom always encouraged me to follow what I loved and trucked me around to all the schools and teachers and classes here when I was growing up. She never forced me, although she always knew when to say something to make me better. I did it because I just loved dance. But I never thought I could do it professionally. Make a living at it? Come on!"

After graduating from 'Iolani School, Katsuyoshi attended the University of California at Irvine and began to dance professionally. "At that point, I began to think, maybe I could do this as a career."
After graduating with a bachelors degree in dance, Katsuyoshi did what many in the L.A. area do -- television. "I worked on 'Blade: The Series' and 'Fame L.A.,' but I was used to live theater. TV is all, like, 'Cut! Reshoot! Reset!' Very stop-and-go. I missed the audience."

And so when she was offered at slot in Connecticut's MOMIX dance troupe, Katsuyoshi didn't hesitate to relocate. "They're very sort of Cirque de Soleil, but with a lot of props and visual imagination," Katsuyoshi said. "I was there a few years, but it took me all over the world. I have a great memory of performing in an actual ancient amphitheater in Greece."
She then spent seven years with the modern-repertory company Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, performing a wide variety of contemporary ballets.

During her last year in Chicago, a "good friend who was in town with the touring company of 'Lion King' urged me to audition. I didn't want to do it. I didn't even have a current head shot or resume. ... I tried out, gave them an old photo and a reused resume with my contact information handwritten in the corner."

And that was that. Offered a slot in "Movin' Out," Katsuyoshi decided she didn't want to do that. She sold her house in Chicago and moved back to Hawaii, living off her house profits, working in her grandmother's restaurant and teaching dance part time at Mid-Pacific Institute.
"It had been a year since I did the 'Lion King' audition, and I didn't have much money left," Katsuyoshi said. "Then, out of the blue, they called. It was a Friday, and they wanted me in Houston on Monday. Pack everything you have, and get on the plane!"

She's been living on the road since.
"I keep it down to two suitcases, two small bags and my trunk. When I'm on the road, I do my best to get into the city we're in, see and do as much as possible, take yoga classes and teach dance classes. And I love to bicycle."

She says she's still "in awe" of how tightly managed "Lion King" is. "They're unbelievable. We move, they get it up and running in just a few days.

"You have to learn the entire show in less than two weeks. One big rehearsal, and then next show you're out in front of an audience. The first time you're scared out of your mind! But it's so busy, things flying at you and around you, you just fall into the clockwork and become part of the works. It's very smooth."

She did have to find the right balance of straps for the Cheetah puppet/costume to avoid back problems. "It's way out in front of you, like you're pregnant and also have a baby strapped on in front. A little awkward at first, but you know, our goal is to BECOME the puppet, not just manipulate it. You're not fooling anyone into thinking it's a real cheetah, but it should have the spirit and soul of a real cheetah."

Practice perfects timing. Katsuyoshi said that call time is only half an hour before the performance, and she morphs from a civilian into a cheetah in something like 15 minutes. And back into a civilian in even less time. "People backstage are always surprised at how quickly it shuts down. It's very businesslike. We're often gone before the audience has cleared the aisles."

Now 30, Katsuyoshi says that although she has some good years left, dancing takes a toll on the body. "At some point, I'm going to have to go back to school and learn a new skill set. But not tomorrow."
This particular company will break up in March after playing Mexico City and Milwaukee, and the performers will scatter. Katsuyoshi has a contract "sort of" lined up in New York, but acknowledges that she might get another call from Disney down the road. After all, Cheetah Girl is a skill set not easily learned.

[Lion_King_300]

I was afraid of this, but I could definitely see it coming - that Lion King will reduce to one U.S. touring cast. I think it's because now they've hit all the theatre markets that they wanted to in the country (at least those that they deemed the most profitable) so they no longer need the second company.

That's pretty sad news nonetheless and I hope it doesn't spark a decline in the show's popularity. As much as I hate to believe it, cutting an entire touring cast seems to signify that the show is "over the hill," but luckily the International productions are flourishing which will help TLKOB's overall longevity.

And that further diminishes the chances of the show ever coming back to my area... it's been 3 years now. Was hoping we'd be on the schedule for 08-09, but with only one cast that's unlikely.

[HasiraKali]

Cutting touring casts doesn't really mean anything as far as the production as a whole goes. The same thing happened to Phantom a few years ago. Back in the 90s there were three U.S touring companies. They slowly cut it back to one. Everyone thought the show would close/loose business, but it obviously didn't as it's the longest running show on Bway now. ;) TLKoB is certainly not over-the-hill. ;) It's half the age of the longest running show, and that's saying something. I think it's something like the 9th longest running one itself. That's not too shabby, considering what critics predicted when the show was first opened and how long shows seem to last these days, I'd say that's damn good.

It does suck that the tour won't be hitting as many cities. I'll just have to take more trips to see it. :D

[Lion_King_300]

Well, maybe "over the hill" wasn't the right term to use, all I meant was the production may be past its prime in the United States. If it wasn't, I think they would have kept the second cast and revisited the major markets (which they have already done to a large degree, I think they've been to certain cities like Minneapolis 4 times in 10 years), but after doing research on Disney's marketing strategies I know that with every venture like a touring cast production of one of its musicals-it has to achieve an extremely high ROI (return on investment) for the company to deem it worth their while, and obviously it wasn't profitable enough anymore. You're probably right in that it isn't going to affect the production as a whole very much since TLKOB is so widespread now and doing well, but one has to think that it was in response to a gradual decline of popularity for the show as a touring production. It's a very, very slow decline (remember I'm only talking about the U.S.) but my point was that the Lion King, with the cutting of one touring company, will never be MORE popular or profitable for the Walt Disney Company than it was with two touring companies, and it's longevity from here on out will be determined on how high the hill was when the show went "over" the hill, which in my opinion was when they decided to move the show from the New Am to the Minskoff to make room for Mary Poppins. Given the show's success in the past 10 years, the hill is probably about as tall as Mount Everest so I know it'll take at least as long to come "down" the hill as it did to get up, which means TLKOB should be around for at least another 10 years.

I didn't mean at all that it was going to fizzle out and die, and the statistics you gave are a great example. I don't think TLKOB will catch or outlast Phantom, but it will definitely be in the top 3 longest-running when it's done.

[Sharifu]

Originally posted by Lion_King_300
And that further diminishes the chances of the show ever coming back to my area... it's been 3 years now. Was hoping we'd be on the schedule for 08-09, but with only one cast that's unlikely.

I was hoping that too... It sure didn't seem like TLKoB was on the West Coast very often...

[HasiraKali]

Originally posted by Lion_King_300
Well, maybe "over the hill" wasn't the right term to use, all I meant was the production may be past its prime in the United States. If it wasn't, I think they would have kept the second cast and revisited the major markets (which they have already done to a large degree, I think they've been to certain cities like Minneapolis 4 times in 10 years), but after doing research on Disney's marketing strategies I know that with every venture like a touring cast production of one of its musicals-it has to achieve an extremely high ROI (return on investment) for the company to deem it worth their while, and obviously it wasn't profitable enough anymore. You're probably right in that it isn't going to affect the production as a whole very much since TLKOB is so widespread now and doing well, but one has to think that it was in response to a gradual decline of popularity for the show as a touring production. It's a very, very slow decline (remember I'm only talking about the U.S.) but my point was that the Lion King, with the cutting of one touring company, will never be MORE popular or profitable for the Walt Disney Company than it was with two touring companies, and it's longevity from here on out will be determined on how high the hill was when the show went "over" the hill, which in my opinion was when they decided to move the show from the New Am to the Minskoff to make room for Mary Poppins. Given the show's success in the past 10 years, the hill is probably about as tall as Mount Everest so I know it'll take at least as long to come "down" the hill as it did to get up, which means TLKOB should be around for at least another 10 years.

I didn't mean at all that it was going to fizzle out and die, and the statistics you gave are a great example. I don't think TLKOB will catch or outlast Phantom, but it will definitely be in the top 3 longest-running when it's done.

Gotcha. I thought you were worried about the show as a whole. :)

[Lion_King_300]

Originally posted by Sharifu
I was hoping that too... It sure didn't seem like TLKoB was on the West Coast very often...

Yeah I totally noticed that - and the fact that the show seemed to visit a whole bunch of smaller markets and cities that wouldn't seem like a profitable idea like... for example the show has been to I think 5 different cities in Florida, each within a 2-3 hour drive of each other - Jacksonville, Ft. Meyers, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale - which is pretty crazy, it just doesn't make sense. Also the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma surprised me as a tour stop, it's the 45th-largest city in the United States and the local economy is largely based on oil-drilling revenue.

And Seattle, Washington (my hometown) has a huge market for theatre and it took seven years for the show to get there in the first place, and has only been to Oregon once in almost 11 years. Seems kinda unbalanced, though the show was permanently in L.A. for a while and has been to San Fran/San Jose a few times, I think we've kinda been gipped a little here in the Pacific Northwest.

lol ok I'll stop ranting about this.

[END OF RANT]

I got a pair of tickets to see TLKOB in Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 2nd - anyone wanna go with me? :cheese: 5th row Orchestra!

I think I had the sudden urge to spend $168 a few weeks ago so I snatched up these tickets. Never been to Milwaukee, but they got good cheese there I heard.

I'll probably just resell them, but that would be a fun mini-vacation.

[Sharifu]

I think it was in San Francisco only once... Although it was there for an extended period of time... I think 10 to 11 months when it was originally only going to be there for a few months. And it was in San Jose and Sacramento once for a couple months. So at least it have been in Northern California 3 different times. Still I can't get over Florida getting it so many times... Not fair! :p

[Zaya]

Couldn't scan them, but took photos, not the best tho...that lil "program" thing was with most of the magazines and papers in France some time ago :)

French Simba:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3403/img4976tv6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

French Mufasa (Jee-L):
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8743/img4980in7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

and Simba again:
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4576/img4982dk7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[TX-101]

The last pic - guy on a right just somehow diesent fits in. :D
Who understands french?


Btw. Nice machetes! Special ability: Free tetanus.

[nathalie]

I could ask my boyfriend, he speaks fluently French.

[Zaya]

OMFG!!! YEEEEEEY!!! Nathalie has a boyfriend!! :lol:

[HasiraKali]

HOLY SHRIMP Z! You NEED to scan those. :lol:

[nathalie]

Originally posted by Zaya
OMFG!!! YEEEEEEY!!! Nathalie has a boyfriend!! :lol:

for over 2 months now

you seem more thrilled then I was at the beginning, whaha

[Zaya]

:lol: I'm just happy for yall!!

HK I'll scan as soon as I get hold of a scaner ;)

[nathalie]

Originally posted by Zaya
:lol: I'm just happy for yall!!


thanks ^^

things are so much better then with my ex ever was :D

[Zaya]

I can trust you on that one, now you have your very own Simba ;) (just to be more on topic hahahahaha)

[nathalie]

Hehe

Oooh, I noticed 2 weeks ago, there's this Belgian store "Fnac" it also sells concert/theater tickets.

They sell tickets for the French musical ^^

I won't be seeing it though (thought about it, going for a weekend to Paris or so), 90 ? ... where in London we payed like 60 ? for the same seats :s

[HasiraKali]

There's a new Simba and Nala in the tour that's going through Detroit this weekend through January 6th.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/ENT01/711260385/1033

There's a really bad mistake in their photo captions. :lol:

[HasiraKali]

And for those wondering what Larry Yando has been up to... :D

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-ovn_1128carolnov28,1,7427525.story?coll=chi-entertainment-utl&ctrack=1&cset=true

[Zaya]

Yeah, same mistake as usual...everyone is Jason and Heather :lol:

I might go see the french thing, but I'm not sure I want to give out all that money when I won't understand half of what they're saying :S

[HasiraKali]

THE STRIKE IS OVER! :D

[imported_kiara]

oh dear .. :woeisme:

[Lion_King_300]

Originally posted by HasiraKali
And for those wondering what Larry Yando has been up to... :D

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-ovn_1128carolnov28,1,7427525.story?coll=chi-entertainment-utl&ctrack=1&cset=true

Ack, I really wanna read this article but you have to sign up or something... can you post the text Amanda please??? :cheese:

Larry Yando was my favorite Scar and I'm curious what he's doing after TLKOB. Hopefully his back's healed up - and he almost went completely bald because of the Scar headpiece he had to wear every night! When I first saw him during a TV interview in 2004 just after he first started, he had pretty much a full head of hair, but when I took a picture with him after seeing him perform in 2006 (San Jose) he didn't have much hair left!

---

And OMG what I would give to be able to own this:

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/le_roi_lion.jpg

They finally released the Cast Album this Monday!

Sucks so much that you have to live in France to by anything from the French Amazon.com website... it doesn't look like there's a way around it.

Please PM me if you are able to get ahold of this CD or its tracks - I can't find one copy on sale in the United States. You'd seriously make my week.

[HasiraKali]

I know someone who's going to Paris this weekend. I'll see if she can help us out. ;) I'd give it a few weeks. It'll pop up on Amazon like the Japanese and German ones soon. :)

Here's the text. :)

Stellar Scrooge keeps Goodman's 'Christmas Carol' from holiday rut

By Chris Jones

Tribune theater critic

November 28, 2007

Maybe it's his crinkly visage or the powerful waves of emotion that pass through his face and flow into the theater. Or maybe it's that many months in huge road theaters playing Scar in "The Lion King" was a singularly effective training ground for old Ebenezer Scrooge. Larry Yando had to stoop to handle that mechanical Julie Taymor contraption -- and, until the jubilant final scene at least, Yando's Dickensian miser comes with much the same gait.

But whatever the genesis, Yando's debut in the lead role in the Goodman Theatre's annual production of "A Christmas Carol" is a triumphant one.

Yando is more expansive in emotion than his predecessors (who were no slouches), yet he delivers no false notes. Instead of merely creating a miser who turns into a big-hearted softy, Yando delivers a complicated emotional journey that you can read in complete detail from the back of the house. As a result, it feels as if "A Christmas Carol" has acquired a bigger-than-life star.

It needs one. This show has remained almost identical for many years. And while this is a seasonal story one can enjoy over and again (even after some 10 consecutive years, I still find the narrative pleasurable), I'm all for ditching the clunky set. This oft-awkward and conventional physical production was created back when the Goodman was still settling into its new home, and it's surely time to blow up this thing from a visual perspective and start from a blank Dickensian page. There are only so many tweaks a director can make when the scenery and the script never change.

If you've never seen this show, of course, that won't bother you. And while some of the comedic performances therein are looking rote, Bill Brown's reliable production features an appealingly off-beat take on Bob Cratchit from Ron Rains, the typically resonant Fred from Steven Hinger and a further reminder that the terrific Steve Haggard finally solved the long-standing problem that was the Ghost of Christmas Past.

But aside from Yando's splendid turn, the moment that stuck with me the most was an arresting young actor named Eric Galvan, who plays nothing more than a singing urchin. His sudden, fresh rush of emotion shook up the show -- and maybe even pointed a potential new direction down those old and resonant streets of London.

----------

cjones5@tribune.com

- - -

"A Christmas Carol"

When: Through Dec. 29

Where: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.

Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Tickets: $20-$70 at 312-443-3800

Copyright ? 2007, Chicago Tribune

[nathalie]

And what I wouldn't give o_O

My boyfriend goes to France sometimes (cab driver) I always say for fun "bring me something" ... but now I ain't laughing anymore when I'll say it, haha.

Going to Disneyland Paris next week ... I wonder if they'd have it there.
But we're going by car.
So maybe on the Monday morning, we can find a store somewhere.

[HasiraKali]

I'm working on ordering from Amazon. My French friend is helping. :lol:

[nathalie]

Omg omg *is hyper* WANTS IT :D

They totaly changed all titles / lyrics though :s

http://www.amazon.fr/Roi-Lion-Elton-John-Rice/dp/B000XTLUUM/ref=pd_bbs_sr_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1196379546&sr=8-5

[HasiraKali]

I GOT IT! :D I went with speedy shipping (making it like $45.00) but it's coming. :D The site says I should have it next week! EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Edit: I just told my sister and she rolled her eyes at me. :lol: That might be the bouncing though.

[nathalie]

Don't like the fact they changed the lyrics aswell :s

Translating the titles from the movie from French to Dutch, they sound so much better, then translating the musical French to Dutch.

'Cause I kind of hated the Dutch lyrics for the musical :E

None the less, can't wait to get my hands on it :D
*hopes to finding it Monday in France*

[Lion_King_300]

I found a really great interview with John Plumpis, the Timon actor from one of the U.S. Touring productions! I saw him in Orlando last January and this interview is dated in 2003 so he's been at this quite a while!

This might be the best interview I've ever read, the questions asked are pretty much the same questions I would ask if I wanted to know more about him, and almost all of them are related to the show.

I also rank John as my all-time favorite Timon actor, he improvised many of his lines and added some things that I've never seen Timon do before, and they were laugh-out-loud funny. He was great! Enjoy the interview.

John Plumpis (Timon) Interview (http://artsavant.com/interviews/2003cj0617.html)

[HasiraKali]

Nice interview Tim. :) John was such a nice guy in January. So kind of him to talk with us and take pictures when he was clearly tired and ready to go home. He could have just said no. What a nice guy.

THE CD IS HERE!!!!! :D EEEEEEE!

And now a play by play (May contain spoilers):

I looked through the booklet... NICE! Pretty new pictures. There are two that stand out: a close up of the lionesses and a shot of the HLIY(reprise) sequence. I scanned them both if anyone wants to see them. They will be icons soon.

I'm putting it in the player right now... player is loading... apparently there's some additional content (enhanced CD)... registering... HOLY SHRIMP! It's got a link to a website with exclusive content. It's got making of videos (I wish I understood French), music videos, photos, all kinds of stuff! Most of the photos are brand new, but a couple are standard shots (the gazelles, giraffes, etc). These are now saved too if anyone wants to see them. There's a shot of Nala from MoKS and of adult Simba from HM. Shots from those scenes seem to be kind of rare.

Alright enough goofing around. Time for the mane event!

Le Cercle de La Vie: O.M.G. The orchestrations are GORGEOUS! That's one thing that disappoints me about the OBCR, the orchestrations aren't really all that much like they are in the show. Rafiki has a wonderful voice. It's not grating like some Rafiki's can be. There are the goosebumps. This is wonderful. I can't get over the orchestrations. The antelope are awesome too. It sounds just like it does in the theater. Well minus the gasping audience. Here comes the boom... Awww. It was tiny.

La Savane: Very heavy on the drums. Love it. This is one of my favourite tracks on any of the cast albums. This is the best one so far. I thought it would be hard to beat the Japanese version, but this one might have.

L'Echo du Matin: Again, great orchestrations. Zazu's voice actually isn't all that annoying. I like it. Mufasa sounds weird in French. :lol: This is not my favourite song in general, but this is a fun version.

La Chase des Lionnes: This is my favourite non-story song in the whole show. I hope it's good. So far (the a capella opening) it sounds exactly like the Japanese one. Nice harmonies. Ok here we go. This one has some good points, but the Japanese version is still my favourite.

Moi, J'Veux Super Vite Etre Roi: Interesting opening. Again, sounds just like the orchestrations in the theater. Simba sounds a lot like Jason Weaver. Little bit deeper tone in some places, but they sound similar. It's funny when Zazu has to speak faster to say the lines in French. Kind of adds to the feeling of frustration with the cubs. I love the part that would be "This child is getting wildly out of wing". He punctuates each word. It's great. Young Nalas can tend to have an annoying voice, but this girl (whose name is Ursula) doesn't.

Bon App': Hyena time! OMG Ed. He starts early. They sound especially evil in French. Ed doesn't say much, but what he does do in this is stealing the song. Bwahahaha. The orchestrations are again just like the live show. Now I'm excited for Be Prepared. Shenzi sounds like a man in the part where the cubs run away. Not bad overall.

Ils Vivent en Toi: Mufasa's voice reminds me of the upper ranges of a French-Canadian singer named Garou. It's not gravely though. This guy has a beautiful voice. It's giving me goosebumps. It's... actually making me want to cry it's so pretty. My mum's impressed as well. I'm going to listen to it again.

Soyez Pr?ts: Alright Scar, impress me. Whoa. It starts right in there doesn't it? Again, just like the theater. Random electric guitar. So far, he's just talk singing. And still kind of talk singing as we go into the chorus. This is reminding me of the French revolution. :lol: The "no king no king la la la la la". Haha. I think it's because they're talking about killing the king in French. Yeah, that's what it is. He's still talk singing! Stop it! Whoo hoo hyena disco! I'm kind of bummed they left this part off the OBCR. It's so random and cheesy, yet somehow... awesome. So Scar didn't really impress me all that much. Sad.

La Ru?e des Animaux: This is a good arrangement too. There's a random guitar that squeals through every now and then, but otherwise just like the live experience.

Rafiki est en Deuil: I first read that as "Rafiki est Devil" and went "Whaaaa? O.o" Haha. This is really when Rafiki's can get obnoxious in the voice department. This one hasn't really yet. She's got a great Rafiki voice. Kind of reminiscent of Tsidi Le Loka. She really sounds like a shaman chanting in that crazy bit where the lionesses come in. Very nice. They carry it out a longer than the other recordings. Like after they all howl at the end, they keep going with the humula humula bit.

Hakuna Matata: These two are great so far. I bet they're a hoot live. Here comes Simba :D Yay! He has a nice voice! :D Bring on Endless Night. Bwahahahaha! There's a surprise at the end. :lol:

One by One: This is a really good version of the this song. The Dutch version so far has been my favourite, but this one is better. :D

La Folie du Roi Scar: Not expecting much out of this one after Be Prepared. We'll see what happens. The hyenas are the best part so far. Bit of a weird pause between the hyeas saying "my bones are on the outside looking in" and Scar saying "Are you blaming me?". Oh I like that little bit of operaish stuff after. And when Scar's seeing his shadow and thinking it's Mufasa has some lovely instrumental stuff going on behind. Here comes Nala. I like their argument. No slappy noise. He just grunts... which makes me picture her racking him. :lol: Nice finish!

Terre d'Ombre: LOVE the beginning of this. The "lea halalela"s are so pretty. So's her voice. Pretty pretty. I know this line's in French but it sounded like she said "Salsa breeze". This is really beautiful. Gorgeous.

Nuit Sans Fin: I love when the include those little vocals before the stars go out. The music here kind of sounds synthed. His voice is good. Here come the goosebumps. Now it sounds less synthed. Once the drums come in, it sounds better. Very nice. More goosebumps. Crescendo. Ooooo! Lovely last note there. Very nice. :D

Quand Soudain l'Amour est L?: Weird last note from Timon there. Pretty now. The tempo seems faster than the other recordings. Maybe it's just me. Their voices sound really good together. The interlude is really pretty too. It sounds slower than the other versions. I'm starting to think it's just me. Little bit different there with some cello action before Simba and Nala come back in. Seemed like a few measures were added too. Sounded good though. Very tender ending. Awwww.

Ils Vit en Toi (Reprise): Very nice so far. I just love this Rafiki's voice. She does some great improvising in this. Very pretty and passionate. Some pretty harmonies with the background singers too. I'm really loving this number. Whoo! Drums! Goosebumps. Simba really gets to show his range in this doesn't he? It sounds so effortless. On both their parts actually. Love this.

Simba se Confronte ? Scar: New orchestrations. Again, tempo sounds slower than in other versions. This time I know it's not me. It's definitely slower. The slower tempo makes the battle seem less intense and urgent. In general it seems bogged down by it's own tempo. The orchestrations do sound good, it just needs to be faster. Haha it's got that bit where Timon and Pumbaa are chased across the stage by the hyenas.

Le Roi du Rocher des Lions/Le Cercle de la Vie (reprise): Now it speeds up. This is faster than other versions. Almost like the orchestra is saying "Hurry up and finish it. I want to go home." But in French. Nice violin trio going there with the "This Land" theme. Goosebumps. Simba's climbing the rock. Goosebumps like whoa. Nice transition to the CoL reprise. There are some extra instruments in there that are making it sound more celebratory than usual. It sounds good. And they're using the lyrics that they actually use in the show rather than what's used in the movie and OBCR. The "It's the Circle of Life..." ones rather than the "'Til we find our place..." ones. Non-existent boom. Sadness.

Overall, a GREAT recording. Even if you're not a completes like myself, it's definitely worth getting a hold of this. One of the best of the stage show recordings.

And now... I go to listen to it again.

[Lion_King_300]

Originally posted by HasiraKali
Nice interview Tim. :) John was such a nice guy in January. So kind of him to talk with us and take pictures when he was clearly tired and ready to go home. He could have just said no. What a nice guy.


Yeah, he was great. It was so totally worth waiting around all that time just to meet him and tell him how much I loved his performance.

And I totally forgot that we took a picture with him! It's got to be around here somewhere...

<digs through old vacation albums>

Ahhh here he is, DA PLUMPIS mingling with the commoners!

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/DSCF0538.JPG

This is my favorite response he gave:



Tell us how you prepared for the role of Timon.

Well, it?s funny. You sort of get pigeon-holed; you begin to be typecast. And because of the way I look ? I?m a curly-haired, short Greek ? I tend to play a lot of short, funny Jews. And in the commercial things I?ve done, I?ve sort of gone in the direction of the wise-cracking New Yorker. So this role was right up my alley. In terms of auditioning, I studied the movie very closely. I think in this instance, you?d be a fool not to do a facsimile of some sort of the film, because deciding that Timon is a farmer from Maine? well, that?s not who he is, and that?s not what his function is in the play, and you wouldn?t get the role.

Timon IS a short, funny, wise-cracking Jewish New Yorker.

---

And OMG my CD is en route now so I didn't want to read all your analysis... but I did anyways of course!

Now I really can't wait... the suspense is killing me!

[nathalie]

same for me, haha, I despiratly wanna here the full lyrics and see what changes they made

(hopefully they'll be a lot better then the Dutch translations)

[Zaya]

I hear there's a South African cast recording, but I'm not sure if it'll be released officially.

LK 300, you know what, the other day I remembered you met Turanga in Shanghai, cause my bestie used to play in LK Shanghai, she was a swing, and my other friend from France also knows Turanga, the world is so small! haha

Btw. he now studies in New York if yall didn't know, so you can "stalk" him there if you want to haha :lol:

[Lion_King_300]

That's great to hear, Zaya! I was wondering what "T" was up to once the Australian cast broke up. He has so much talent and personality, best of luck to him as he awaits his next big break as an actor.

What was your bestie's name so I can look her up in the playbill?

---

And OMG FINALLY the day has come!

:wow: :wow: :wow:

My Le Roi Lion CD finally came in! I listened to the whole thing while wrapping Christmas presents and I'm listening to it a second time now.

Since Hasira_Kali already pretty much gave a rundown of each track and I also agree with almost everything she said, I'll just add a few comments with the song titles in English:

Circle of Life is AWESOME, as HK said the orchestrations are very full unlike the OBCR. The antelope singers I thought were very vocal and much more noticeable than in other versions of COL, but at least its different.

Mufasa sounded VERY monotone in Morning Report, during the speaking part. Kinda sounds like he's sleeping when he says his first lines. I usually skip this song but this one I think is the best out of all the foreign cast albums. Cub Simba sounds EXACTLY like Evan Saucedo who did the voice over for this song on the TLK SE DVD.

I Just Can't Wait to be King - I like it, but Simba sounds a bit too old, like he's 13 or so - his voice has already begun to change. Cub Nala has a nice voice, not annoying like many I've seen on stage.

They Live in You - WOW Jee-L has an amazing voice. His voice is cast a little high for Mufasa but he displays great range in this song and does wonderful inflections with his voice during certain parts of the song that I haven't heard in any other album. Great rendition.

Be Prepared- The hyena disco part sounds like it was dubbed off the German/Dutch cast recording, they all sound exactly identical. I'd even be willing to bet that it was.

Scar's talk-singing didn't really impress me either, he came across as too melodramatic that way, not as "nasty" as he could (or should be) Even at the end during the climax of the song Scar's still talking. Even John Vickery was better.

The "NO KING NO KING" part made me :lol: It's just... different and much more syncopated. Sounds like they're speaking Chinese.

Shadowland - This is the BEST version of Shadowland I've ever heard. Leah Vincent has an unbelieveable voice and there's something about the French language that makes this song even more "soulful" and emotional than other albums.

Endless Night - Jeremy Fontanet did not disappoint, he knocked this song out of the park. Spine-tingling good.

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - I didn't like Timon's last note either (it sounds like he's in pain), but the beginning of the chorus quickly made me forget how bad it was. And you're right about the interlude being slightly slower in tempo, I noticed this too. Nala gets to again showcase her gorgeous voice. Would love to see this onstage, reviews say the French production is more "romantic" overall and I think that would show through in this scene.

He Lives in You (reprise) - My favorite song and scene overall in TLKOB, I had high expectations for this version and it far exceeded them in *almost* every way.

Rafiki's voice is a great opening. Does sound synthesized, moreso than other versions but doesn't detract from the song. Love Rafiki holding that note just before the interlude, beautiful.

Very disappointed that they didn't include Mufasa's ghost like in the Japanese cast album. That would have been so cool, but they didn't do it for the other European cast albums so I wasn't exactly expecting it.

LOVE the vocals Rafiki adds during the second chorus, I love this part because it gives the actress a chance to improvise a bit and even live on stage no two times will this sound exactly alike.

Reprise part coming now...

The chorus sounds much more lively, full and in absolutely perfectly in harmony, great example is the last note and also the "He lives in youuuuu" note just before Simba comes in. Just awesome. Simba's part is great too, it's much better than the music video version they made. I love that Simba can sing his lines for this song in about 10 different ways depending on the different inflections he makes and they could all sound great. Not quite as inventive as the German version but still very good.

King of Pride Rock/Circle of Life (reprise) - I actually disagree with Amanda here, I didn't think the tempo was any faster than other cast albums. I think I hear a synthesizer during the Busa part that I haven't heard before. Glad they started with "It's the Circle of Life" rather than "Til we find..." shows how ghetto the OBCR is compared to all the other cast albums.

WHERE'S THE BASS DRUM????

Ok, I guess I have to do it.


[BOOM]

All in all, great album as expected. Love how each foreign production tweaks things a little differently and the new voices keeps it fresh.

[HasiraKali]

Nice review Tim. :) I'm thinking of going through all the cast albums and making an ultimate cast album with my favourite versions of each of the songs. It would be hard to choose between them on a few, but it could be fun.

OT: Getting excited about your trip yet? ;) We've got 26 days to go. :D

[nathalie]

Me gots it too :D

Love the voices ^^
The chorus could be a little louder though.

I'll post some more stuff what I think about it later :p

(I have 2, if anyone wants a copy)

[imported_kiara]

wait, what, you have two copys of the album? :gasp:

[Zaya]

Hahaha! Nathalie buys big ;)

LK 300, her name is Amy Edwards, I also know Andile Gumbi from that cast (I think he was ensemble, he plays adult Simba now in South Africa) and David Denis, who's now with the London company, he's my favorite giraffe, :lol:

Still didn't get to hear the french cast recording but your reviews make it seem great! Not what I've hared from the people who saw the show :S

[nathalie]

Were supposed to find a specific store to find it (Fnac it's called), but couldn't find it.

So instead we went into this warehouse, where they'd have CD's aswell.
And found it.
The regular CD-version.

We walked through the mall some more, and then came across the store I was looking for in the first place.

Went in there, 'cause I wanted to get the Chicken Little CD in French too :p

And I didn't saw it, but my boyfriend did, and says: look, that Lion King CD you just got is 2 ? more.
So I went and look.
What do I spot above them, a CD-DVD edition *gasp*

Stood there, didn't knew what to do ... and decided to get that version, and so now, I have the regular CD-version for sale.

[imported_kiara]

w00t, can i buy it? :D

i have still not open the plastic cover thing on my TLKoB cd :lol:

[nathalie]

You can yes, if you can do it in Euro's.

It's still sealed, and even has the price label still on it --> 14,99 ?

[imported_kiara]

well great :D

im going to germany in 8 days so can get euros then, send them to you in some way, and you can send the cd to Shat so i can get it immediately XD

[HasiraKali]

Whoa whoa wait. A CD-DVD version? WANT! :lol:

What's on the DVD?

[nathalie]

@ Kiara: there'll be shipping costs too though, don't know what they'll be to the US.
Just looking it up...:
- 5,40 ? non-registered
- 9,70 ? (auch :s) registered (so you'd have to sign for it to recieve it, safe, but expensive :s)

If you'll be in Germany, you could ask the bank if you could do a money transfer.
Usually from 1 account to another it's for free, but don't know if you can do it for free if you don't have an account there, by just giving the money to them and saying to make a transfer.

Sending it by not-registered mail, is at your own risk though...


Don't know yet Amanda, the sticker on the seal said "making off" and some other things I believe (don't have the seal anymore, so don't have the sticker anymore eather, hehe).
Haven't watched it yet.
My drive won't work like it should, and the DVD-drive in his PC is broke too, and no DVD player :E

I'm guessing it's about the same as with the Dutch bonus DVD, which had a tour around the theater, some BackStage stuff, etc...

[imported_kiara]

Originally posted by ?nathalie?
@ Kiara: there'll be shipping costs too though, don't know what they'll be to the US.
Just looking it up...:
- 5,40 ? non-registered
- 9,70 ? (auch :s) registered (so you'd have to sign for it to recieve it, safe, but expensive :s)

If you'll be in Germany, you could ask the bank if you could do a money transfer.
Usually from 1 account to another it's for free, but don't know if you can do it for free if you don't have an account there, by just giving the money to them and saying to make a transfer.

Sending it by not-registered mail, is at your own risk though...



wow, weird :gasp: What if you send it to my dad then, its far more closer, but dunno if it will be cheaper.

And i will only be in germany for 4 hours on the airport before im going to NY. Can you do some kind of transfer there? :confused:

[nathalie]

No idea :s
Checking the price...
- 4,80
- 9,10 registered

"safest" way to send money in an envelope is to tape coins inside a card and put tin foil around the notes, so usually an x-ray machine can't spot it that well, haha.
(is that even really true? lol, someone once told me, I do it, it always worked, but I don't really know, haha)

I usually do that, hehe, then put an A-4 paper or a card around it.
Always worked till now.
But still, it's at your own risk.

If Sweden works with IBAN & BIC codes, you could always ask info at your own bank.
(I know some country's who don't use the ? but are within Europe, who use that *free* money transfer)

[Zaya]

so funny, I was talking bout not listening to the french cd, well just got it trough post today from France, from the girl I worked with at Lyceum theatre who now works at the Mogador, listening atm, I absolutely love their Rafiki, Zamaaaaa, she rules!!! Beautiful!

[HasiraKali]

This article makes me happy.
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?fb835465-78fe-4412-a788-5a559a306607

And I know how to make those paper stars the kids are holding. I made one the other day actually. :lol:

[Zaya]

awww, cute!

[nathalie]

This is the CD-DVD edition.

The front cover is the same, yellow/black lion on it.

The booklet is different.
It has Rafiki on it (on the left), and not the lion like the regular version has it.

I don't know if the label on the CD is the same, since the other one will remain sealed for sale, hehe.

[imported_kiara]

wow thats cool .. I still want the original CD tho .. <.<

[nathalie]

If you want it from me, could you let me know?
(if you don't, don't worry 'bout it)

Because I've putted it on some other forums aswell.

Wish I'd came across that other version sooner so I wouldn't be "stuck" with this one now :E

[imported_kiara]

well yea, i still want it .. just trying figure out the shipping and cost :D

considering im moving in 5 days, theres no idea you send it to this place. Can you wait with send it till next week or so so i know where it should come?

[nathalie]

It's up to you where I ship it too.

Concidering which postage you want to pay :s

[HasiraKali]

The CD image is way different. The version you have kind of looks like the "special edition" one of the OBC.

Here's the regular French one. It's got kind of a goldish tint to it that doesn't really show up in the picture. I tried from different angles but wasn't able to capture it very well. :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/100_8390.jpg

[Lion_King_300]

I love the art they included in the CD booklet, especially that photo of Simba looking down in the "reflection" pool with Rafiki singing - that's a shot that I've never seen before in any TLKOB-related media.

[HasiraKali]

This one? Oh it's so awesome. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/frenchhliy1.png

Found this of the South African production.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/1464.jpg

Curse its tiny-ness!

I did find a whole bunch of new pictures from Hamburg. Seriously new. They were taken yesterday. :lol: Lots of Simba shots. ;) I about flipped when the first one popped up and then I kept going and, BOOM! Simba. :lol:

Oh Tim: I meant to ask what picture you made your avvie from? :evilgrin:

[nathalie]

Don't know if that picture is in my booklet ... Haven't looked in it yet *shame*

That label is cool too though HK.

[Simbaspirit]

seeing this was so amazing. but i was kinda dissapointed, they changed the score for the end scene to something a little less exiting when i went in November of '05. but wow.... its really indescribable.

[Lion_King_300]

I made my avvie from an old pic of Scar, Nala and Zazu one of the European companies, anyone remember where this is from? The site I got this pic from got shut down a few months ago.

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/SNZsmall.jpg

[HasiraKali]

Nice! I remember that photo now. That's from Toronto. There was a whole series from a tour a university class went on.

[Simbaspirit]

wow. that is an incredible painting.

[nathalie]

I watched that DVD that came with the French CD.

Interesting that while they'd let you see them record their lines, they'd let you hear what they would be hearing through their headphones ...

With "Just can't wait to be king", when Zazu is singing in his lines, they let you hear the Dutch version of the song, lol.
I thought that language and sharp (annoying voices, in my opinion) sounded familiar to me, haha.

Can't actually believe though, they didn't already recorded the French versions of young Simba/Nala and would let him listen to the Dutch version on his headphones, lol.

[nathalie]

I took some shots of that bonus DVD.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_112.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_113.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_115.jpg

Zazu
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_117.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_118.jpg

left: Banzai / right: Shenzi
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_119.jpg

Scar (love his expressions, hehe)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_120.jpg

Shenzi
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_122.jpg

"chorus"
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_123.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_125.jpg

[nathalie]

The 2 guys, who sing in the beginning of Circle of Life (you know what I mean?)
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_126.jpg

Simba
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_127.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a268/mytlkcollection/le%20roi%20lion/S1_06_129.jpg

[Lion_King_300]

:wow:

Clifton Oliver just sent me an e-mail.

The Clifton Oliver! Apparently someone in the TLK cast told him about my Endless Night video where I shadow him and sing... here's what he had to say:


What up man? This is Clifton Oliver AKA.."Simba",from the national tour of The Lion King! I was away from the whole Lion King scene for a bit, performing in the broadway company of "Wicked." Anyway, i recently rejoined the tour and heard about your little video. Your crazy as hell, but i like it!!
Thank You.....Clifton Oliver

I had no idea he was in Wicked, on Broadway no less (he was in the ensemble) which is my 2nd favorite show! Awesome!

I was just floored that the actual actor took the time to reply at all, and even to say that he liked it, wow.

I wrote him back with many compliments and a few questions about the tour he's on now, and we'll see if he replies. But this seriously made my day!

[nathalie]

That's so cool :D

[HasiraKali]

Cool! =D He's in my harem. Far right. ;) :lol:

[Darkslash]

Argh, I need to see TLKOB, but the closest it is getting is Detroit (3 hours drive), and there's only like $200 seats left, grrr.

I swear, if it ends touring and I don't see it, wow.

[HasiraKali]

I'm sure it'll be back in Texas soon. :) It better be anyway.

[nathalie]

200 $ seats o_O

[Darkslash]

Originally posted by HasiraKali
I'm sure it'll be back in Texas soon. :) It better be anyway.

I would be so happy if it were.

[Guntur]

Mufasa look very young in that DVD nathalie, how old is he?

[nathalie]

Euhm, he looks about 25 - 30.

Don't really know.

[Lion_King_300]

Here's the most recent TLKOB clip to be shown on a nationwide talk show - The current Broadway cast performing a short version of "He Lives in You" on ABC's The View:

HLIY on The View (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZRfjKD8DCk)

Dashaun Young as Simba and Tshidi Manye as Rafiki. Dashaun sings his lines very differently than any Simba (English or non-English speaking) I've ever heard.

The set looks very cool though, they really spared no expense to recreate the real thing. If only they included Mufasa's ghost...

[HasiraKali]

Sweet. I heard about this, but I don't get up early enough to watch the View... and I can't stand those ladies. :lol: I'm glad this ended up on YouTube. :) I've downloaded and converted it if anyone wants it for their collection. ;)

[HasiraKali]

I got this article in my Google alerts today...

It's not funny and yet... so funny.


Man robs First Hawaiian Bank in Chinatown
Suspect was wearing a "Lion King" t-shirt

Honolulu police are looking for a man wearing a "Lion King" t-shirt who robbed the Chinatown branch of First Hawaiian Bank this afternoon.

Police said the man entered the bank at 2 North King Street at about 12:05 p.m. and passed a demand note to a teller. The suspect was last seen heading mauka on Nuuanu Ave. on foot. He had a black mustache and goatee and was also wearking black jeans and a beige baseball cap.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at *number deleted by me for some reason*.

I'm glad I don't have a mustache and goatee or live in Hawaii... I'd be picked up for sure. Tim too. :lol:

I found a picture of him on another article about it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/7562659_BG1.jpg

The glitter shirt? Just follow the trail of silver glitter to him. My sister's washed hers several times and still leaves stray glitter everywhere. :lol: I have to put mine in a bag before I put it in my closet because it'll get glitter all over my other clothes.

[Sharifu]

Wow, how weird is that...

[Lion_King_300]

Ouch, never like to see that. Makes TLKoB look bad when someone that supports the show robs a bank...

I personally never wear that glitter T-shirt in public, I much prefer the tour ones with the yellow logo. And yes it does get glitter on almost everything!

---

On a side note, how about all those shots of the huge TLKOB sign during the live performances in Times Square on New Year's Rockin' Eve? ABC is owned by Disney so I knew they were going to try something like that. Gotta love cross-promotion.

[HasiraKali]

That made my night ;)

Even if it wasn't on ABC, that billboard is kind of hard to avoid. :lol: They got a good spot advertising wise with the move to Minskoff. That's actually part of the upstairs storage for the theater. When Dance of the Vampires was in there, you could see different props up in the windows during TRL on MTV. :lol:

[Zaya]

AAAAAAAA, I saw the french show a day before new years!! I loved it...altho it was full of covers...Nala was briliant!! And OMG Nathalie, the picture of the guys at the begining of circle of life, the one on the left is Linda, awwwww, he's amazing, he's such a great singer!!!! hahaha, I love it, was that on the special french cd-dvd thing? and I was running out of money so I couldn't buy it!! (pissed off right now)

[nathalie]

It's on that DVD yeah.

They only show those guys a few seconds each time during the beginning of "Circle of life" recording.

If it wasn't so darn pricy >.<
Paris is only about 3,5 hours away by car, that ain't so far actually.

[Zaya]

Oh just seconds? well, those are Linda Rheretyane and Mduduzi Madela, a lovely pair of scary antelopes...

A french video from December(some TV show), if there's someone who hasn't seen it yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJSCLOD_od0

Oh well the tickets for the new years evening show were 180 euro...so the normal 90 doesn't seem that much anymore :lol: ;)

[nathalie]

o_O

Never mind that things like that should be affordable for all people :s

[Zaya]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZRfjKD8DCk

looky look, it's the latest New York Simba ;)

[HasiraKali]

Hey Z... remember this photo?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/000852890eab1f5792af80c328ec00.jpg

I just read the whole thread again trying to find something and ran across it. The more I look at it, the more I think it might be B. I'm not saying it is, you're the B expert after all ;) , but it kind of looks like him to me. :hmm:

[Zaya]

LOL, yeah good times...I still think it's him, but an older version, he getting kinda chubby now :lol: just joking! Oh and he's leaving, so we'll have a new Simba in London starting April...

I might get hold of a couple of nice pics from the french cast soon so watch me! :lol:

[HasiraKali]

New picture time. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/clifton08.jpg
Clifton Oliver

It was with THIS (http://www.expressmilwaukee.com/article-685-making-music-fit-for-a-lion-king.html) article that I got in my email today about the flute player with the Cheetah Company. Fifteen different types of flute? Crazy. :D

[childlike_ghost]

Meh. Am I the only person here who has NOT seen this? I really really want to, but have never gotten the chance. I acted in it for school, but never saw it. *Sigh* Someday maybe...

[HasiraKali]

OoooO! Tim! Z! Nathalie! A TLKoB virgin! :D

You're not alone, there are a few other people here that haven't seen it.

[nathalie]

Lolz, Amanda :p

I'm basicly one ... with my "I've seen it only once before" haha :p

[HasiraKali]

It only takes once. ;)

[Guntur]

Originally posted by childlike_ghost
Meh. Am I the only person here who has NOT seen this? I really really want to, but have never gotten the chance. I acted in it for school, but never saw it. *Sigh* Someday maybe...
Don't worry mate, me too... me too.... Maybe because "Broadway" don't want to come here at all *point at my location box*.

[childlike_ghost]

Glad to know I'm not on my lonesome. Someday, hopefully in the near future, I will. (Though probably not untill after I finish university. To much stuff to be done..

[Zaya]

Uuuuuu welcome virgin!!

Let me introduce the crew:
HasiraKali - the encyclopedie of TLKoB, she knows everything and everyone, she knows casts (especially Simba boys), she knows dates, numbers and she most certanly kows where to find them pics. Number she seen the show: must have been more than 10, correct me if I'm wrong, :lol:

Nathalie - the "I've only seen it once before" participant. She doesn't know that much detil but is very keen to help out with collections and again "get to know" Simbas

Lucy Lioness - the silent participant...all I know is she's around and that she's seen the London show...

LK300 - the brainy...for me just the fact that he met the Australian cast, Turanga boy and others (btw. do you remember maybe meeting any of the following; Andile Gumbi, Amy Edwards, David Dennis, Loredo Malcolm, Rorisang Kgwathe, Jeffrey Richardson) is enough for praise. He's the interwiever and the collector...if you think you saw all there is about the Lion King on Broadway...well...think again!

And me, Zaya - the loud one who knows the backstage, the materials, the crew and the casts...and i've seen the french show too, that's something!

Wht kinda school project did you do with it if it's not a secret :)

[HasiraKali]

It's 11 but who's counting. :lol:

[Zaya]

OMG haha, I've seen it 10 times from the seats...back there...I stoped counting ;)

[childlike_ghost]

Originally posted by Zaya


Wht kinda school project did you do with it if it's not a secret :)

We actually did it as a play! We had a rather amazing Drama teacher who worked a few years ago with a major theater in England (Cant remember the name) Since he came, we have been doing really ambitious projects, like Cats, Blood Brothers, Chicago and of course, The Lion King. (I got to be Shenzi)=D

[Zaya]

awwww, that is so great that some people and schools still take up on such big projects. In London schools of performing arts always come see the shows, we had a big group of people coming in once and they fixed it so they got a backstage tour too, plus some of the principals explained them their chracters. I bet it was fun and exciting to work on Shenzi, it's such a great character?

oh, a word to everyone...this is unoficiall and would appreciate if nobody used it outside the page, LOL...in april we're officially saying goodbye to our London Simba, Brian Temba. Andile Gumbi, who's curently with the South African cast was casted as the next king :lol:

[HasiraKali]

Sweet. As sad as it is, I love when there's a cast change because there usually seems to be a wave of new pictures.

Oh Z, I was channel surfing late last night and found a program on PBS about a West African prince that was sold into slavery in the 1800s. I stopped because the guy playing him looked almost exactly like Brian. :lol: I don't think it was him, in fact I doubt it, but it was interesting.

[Zaya]

:lol: nono wasn't him, never played an african prince...oh except Simba...LOL

I read that story tho, is it about the prince Amos Fortune? Very touching, makes you very much hate certain groups of people hehe

Besides gotta tell you that Brian...he looks way better in real than he does on pics..trust! :lol:

[HasiraKali]

I knew it wasn't him because his voice was too deep. :lol: But it sure looked like him.

He was a Liberian prince. I can't spell his name. :lol: But lived in Mississippi for forty years, before president Clay forced his owner to send him to Morocco because he was a prince. He spent the months leading up to the trip trying to raise enough money to buy his children and grandchildren from his owner. Tragic story.

Back on topic...

Don't think I've posted this one before.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/scarnala7yc.jpg

[Lion_King_300]

LK300 - the brainy...for me just the fact that he met the Australian cast, Turanga boy and others (btw. do you remember maybe meeting any of the following; Andile Gumbi, Amy Edwards, David Dennis, Loredo Malcolm, Rorisang Kgwathe, Jeffrey Richardson) is enough for praise. He's the interwiever and the collector...if you think you saw all there is about the Lion King on Broadway...well...think again!

:lol:

Thanks for the bio Z! I'm trying to get as encyclopedic as Amanda, though I'm pretty sure she still knows more than me - especially about the Simbas ;) And she digs up the coolest and rarest TLKOB pics, we love her for that! :love:

But I have written hundreds of questions about TLK on Broadway for my game show...

And though I haven't seen the show since I saw it in Orlando with Amanda (January 2007 - it's been WAY too long!) I've seen it 8 times in six different cities which is a pretty cool feat, and it's enabled me to see the differences between many different casts and theatres around the country and world. Still haven't been backstage, that's my dying wish!

---

The only one in that group I met was David Dennis (ensemble), he's the first one I met actually at the stage door, really nice guy. He didn't seem used to getting attention as an ensemble member.

That was so incredible to see the show half the world away in Shanghai - it took me 10 minutes to find it on Lea (I forgot I didn't make a thread about the trip itself) but I dug it out so I could share the pictures again for the newbies and to relive this dream experience - I think I might have been the only one here fortunate enough to see the Australian cast. See if you recognize anyone else!

Here it is!

ORIGINALLY POSTED 8-9-06

Wow, I can't believe I'm back already. Just yesterday night I was in the Shanghai Grand Theatre watching the show, and now I'm sitting in my chair 1/2 a world away. (not counting all the time I gained from the time zone difference, of course!)

Well, I have lots of pics and a really nice surprise at the end so I'll start with the TLKOB Shanghai pics (since this is the TLKOB thread, of course!)

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/grand_theatre.jpg
The majestic entrance to the Shanghai Grand Theatre, featuring an enormous ad in front and acacia trees bordering the glass doors

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/tlkob_adv.jpg
Chinese TLKOB ad showing ticket prices and describing the show

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/tlkob_shanghai_1.jpg
Another HUGE ad they had near the side entrance

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/main_rag.jpg
The much-beloved main rag in all its glory

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/translation.jpg
These screens displayed the script in Mandarin Chinese so the mostly non-English speaking audience could follow along

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/simba_mask.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/nala_mask.jpg
Much to my surprise, Disney put life-size masks of Simba and Nala in the theatre lobby

For those of you curious about the show, there were two major differences adapted for the Chinese audience.

The first was during the "Rafiki's Tree" scene, at the end of her story she said "Do you understand?" in Chinese, which drew a huge laugh!

The second was during "The Madness of King Scar" scene, instead of singing "It's a Small World After All" Zazu sings perhaps the most popular Chinese song ever, "wo ai ni ai zhe ni," loosely translated to "I love you as a mouse loves rice."

Here are a few more things I noticed that were different from all of the U.S. performances I've seen:

1) There was no mole! Zazu stuck his head completely in the hole. I think only one other time did the mole or gopher or whatever it is did not appear at all.

2) About 5-10% of the audience came in late, and there was a TON of side chatter and flash photography throughout the show, despite adequate warnings.

3) There was a loud crash at the beginning of the Stampede scene as Scar was instructing Simba to stay on the "ledge"

4) Probably safety-related to #3, neither Scar nor Mufasa were flown for the Stampede scene , they performed the "Long live the king" part from the ledge level, greatly diminishing the effect as Mufasa simply staggered backwards instead of physically falling.

5) The shower curtain from the IJCWTBK scene was said to be from a "Flea Market," although there is an IKEA store in downtown Shanghai I believe they changed it so it would be easier to understand for the Chinese audience.

More pics and stuff to come!

[Lion_King_300]

I was also fortunate enough to make it to the stage door in time to get pictures and autographs of a bunch of the cast members.

We (my mom, sister and I) were the only ones back there that night, so it felt like a private VIP party and it sure was fun to meet and talk with them.

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/rafiki.jpg
Buyisile Zama as Rafiki put together an incredible performance, she had one of the most rich, powerful voices of any Rafiki I had heard on stage. Some of you may recognize her, she started out as Rafiki in London's West End production of The Lion King.

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/Zazu.jpg
Terry Bader as Zazu, to be honest he didn't quite perform up to my expectations. Not a great singing voice and didn't show as much enthusiasm in his character as Derek Hasenstab (U.S. touring), who sets the bar for all Zazus to follow.

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/young_nala.jpg
12 year old Jana Baldemoro as Young Nala, can't help but admire the spunk and cuteness, just like young Nala in the film. BTW that's my sister, but I'm sure most of you figured that out on your own! :D

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/young_simba.jpg
12 year old Tarik Frimpong as young Simba, he was great! One of the best young Simbas I've seen, a good singing voice and solid acting, he knew what he was doing on stage. A treat to watch and surely a successful career to follow.

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/timon_pumbaa2.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/timon_pumbaa.jpg
Hangin' out with John Xintavelonis (Pumbaa) and Jamie McGregor (Timon), they came out last as their extensive makeup and costuming took time to remove. They had more onstage chemistry than any other Timon/Pumbaa pair that I've seen - for example in the scene just prior to CYFTLT where Timon goes crazy, Pumbaa took out his tongue and gave his buddy a nice wet lick to help him come to his senses, never seen that before! And in real life they were the same way, feeding off each other, easygoing and fun to talk to, seemingly inseparable.

And for all you hard-core Simba fans... the big surprise is coming up!!!!!! Are you ready?




--------




YES! I was able to meet Turanga Merito!

I had heard many good things about him, but he absolutely blew me away. An excellent high alto singing voice, and he certainly gave everything he had into his character. And yes, he glistened. A lot. I wasn't paying too much attention to that particular detail but I think he started really sweating close during Endless Night. I think he hit his high point at the end of the HLIY reprise, it looked like someone waxed his chest! :lol:

Not only that, but I also had the pleasure of interviewing Turanga briefly (and quite informally - I didn't have any questions planned) about the show, and other things, which I will present to you here. It may not be exactly word-for-word as I had to read my scribbled notes, but he has some really interesting things to say.

Turanga is a truly nice and wholehearted person and I feel so privileged to have met such a talented and geniune human being. I wish him the best in whatever direction life takes him after the Shanghai Lion King company comes to a close.

I hope everyone out there enjoys this one of a kind chance to get to know him, and that you have as much fun reading it as I did interviewing him.

Brief Interview with Turanga Merito, ?Adult Simba? in the Shanghai TLKOB production

Conducted after the August 15, 2006 performance in Shanghai, People?s Republic of China.

Birthplace: Rotorua, New Zealand
Training: Charisma Church, 1997-2003, Rotorua Lakes High School, 1997-2003
Theatre: Joseph (Christian City Church), The Wizard of Oz)
Television: Pukana (New Zealand), Coca Cola Christmas in the Park (New Zealand)
Other: Jireh Perf. Arts Group

TW: Hello, are you Turanga Merito?

TM: Yes, that?s me!

TW: Great, I thought you looked like Simba. May I have your autograph please?

TM: Of course! My pleasure. Did you enjoy the show?

TW: It was fantastic, and you put on an excellent performance yourself tonight.

TM: Thank you so much.

TW: May I have the honor of getting a photograph as well? I have some friends back home that are huge fans of yours but were not able to make the trip, so it really means a lot for get the chance to meet you in person.

TM: Oh, wow, that?s wonderful to hear. I?m flattered I have fans!

TW: So the Australian company is in Shanghai for how many shows?

TM: 100 shows I believe.

TW: Do you know how far this show is in the run? It?s about halfway through, right?

TM: Well, we?re going to be here through October and we started in mid-July, so it?s
about half-over, yes.

TW: Are you enjoying your stay in China? How are you getting by on the Chinese food?

TM: It?s quite different from any place I have lived. Much more humid than Australia. I LOVE Chinese food, my personal favorites are the Shanghai fried rice and dumplings.

TM: Is this your first time seeing the show?

TW: I came all the way from the United States to see The Lion King in Shanghai? Actually, it is my seventh time overall!

TM: SEVEN times? That?s amazing!

TW: Well, I figured I would never get to see the Australian cast since you guys left, and that this might be my only chance.

TM: Yes, after we finish up [in Shanghai] I think that?s going to be it for us.

TW: Oh no! They have nothing else planned for your company?

TM: No, not as we speak. I?ve personally been with this cast, for oh? about two years now, first in Sydney, then Melbourne, and finally here in Shanghai.

TW: That?s quite sad news to hear though, I imagine it will be hard to break up this extraordinary group of talent.

TW: Now, are you from Sydney?

TM: No, actually I?m from New Zealand, born and raised there.

TW: Do you miss home while you?re on the road performing in The Lion King?

TM: I do miss seeing family, but I do like the weather up here. Right now it?s wintertime in Australia and it?s quite cold, so when we finish up in Shanghai and go home it will be turning to summer down there!

TW: Ah, so that works out perfectly. Shanghai is much too hot and humid for me.

TM: So you said you were from the U.S.?

TW: Yes, I?m from Seattle in Washington State.

TM: I knew there were some English-speaking people in the audience tonight because
some people were laughing at our jokes! Some nights nobody laughs, it?s quite awkward.

TW: Indeed, I noticed the Chinese audience reacted very differently than American audiences do to certain parts of the show, sometimes they laughed when they weren?t intended to and didn?t laugh, as you said, at the many jokes in the show.

TM: Something else interesting I noticed was that I guess in China they allow photography in the theater, we?re not used to seeing flashes go off like that!

TW: Yes, that was quite disheartening and distracting to see. Actually, I think it?s more like they don?t know proper etiquette in live theatre, though it was announced very clearly before the show started.

TM: The audiences don?t heed the warnings, and [as a result] we now have clips of the show appearing on Youtube (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ptOWR2UICEg), and all over the internet?

TW: Yeah, I don?t know about that... It?s good that theatergoers are showing interest in the show but people need to have more respect for this show and live theatre in general, I think part of it is that this level and kind of theatre is relatively new to Chinese culture.

TM: Definitely.

TW: By the way, I absolutely loved the way you guys performed the ?He Lives in You? reprise tonight, they way it was backlit with the swirling dots of light, the ghost mask, your and Rafiki?s singing, it was just absolutely spectacular, even better than all of the United States performances I?ve seen. That is my favorite scene in the whole show, very moving and emotional.

TM: Thank you! I love performing that scene as well. I heard a couple people go ?Whooo!? really loud after that scene ended?

TW: [laughs], yeah that was me, and someone else higher in the balcony! We have to show our appreciation for your fine efforts!

TM: Were you able to get good seats?

TW: Yes, we got great ones, they were in the front stalls, right in the middle about 15 or 20 rows back. Just an experience of a lifetime to travel around the world to watch the Australian Cast perform the greatest show on Earth!

TM: I bet it was, and sounds like you had a great time!

TW: Well, thank you so much for your time, Turanga. I don?t want to hold you any longer.

TM: Oh, no worries! I was waiting for someone anyways.

TW: Are there any more cast members coming out?

TM: Yes, Timon and Pumbaa will be coming in about fifteen. They?re always last out,
can?t miss them!

TW: All right, sounds great. Good luck with the rest of the tour!

TM: Thanks, it was great meeting you!

?2006 lion_king_300


http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/07/28/29LION_wideweb__430x255.jpg

http://students.washington.edu/tim300/china/tlkob/turanga.jpg

[Guntur]

I don't know if this a fake one but I don't think it's fake.

http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=1493546580

[childlike_ghost]

Is it often that audience members get to meet the cast? It sounds like you had a great time though...So lucky!

[HasiraKali]

:lol: Tim, I thought something was wrong with the board for a second. I was like "What happened to the past two years!? :eek:!"

[Lion_King_300]

Originally posted by childlike_ghost
Is it often that audience members get to meet the cast? It sounds like you had a great time though...So lucky!

You have to be quick, right when the show ends you need to exit the theater and go to the "stage door," which is where the actors and cast come out after each performance.

Though they're tired and want to go back to the hotel to get some rest, cast members generally love to give autographs and answer and questions you may have about the show.

The trouble is that it's sometimes difficult to recognize the actors/actresses out of costume so you may miss someone you really want to meet!

-----

And nice find, Fendi! That profile definitely looks genuine. I doubt he remembers me though - last I heard he was studying theater in New York as he awaits his next big break as a actor.

[Zaya]

Fendi, yeah it's the right Turanga (btw heared a song of his the other day and must say he was excellent!)

Thought I'd put this up and share with you but I'm relly really beging everyone to not use this anywhere (but your computers if someone has a big wish to save it for personal use LOL) it's disney copyright and all the people on the pictures as well as other could get in major major trouble! ok? ok!

Paris and Paris cast on the pictures;
clockwise starting with
-me and Steve B.(Mufasa understudy) making a famous Steve pout,
-me&Jeffrey Richardson-swing (also formal Australia and Shanghai cast),
-Mathieu B.(Simba understudy),
-Steve B.& Olivier B. (Scar),
-me&Jeff again,
-South Africans eating hyena,
-Zama M. (Rafiki),me&Ida (crew),
-me with Simba lol,
-Olivier&David E. (Zazu)

...and center
-me fixing Simba (another Simba watching :lol:)

http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pariscoljx5.jpg

note:it was around new years, so you don't wonder bout all the drinks ;)

[Zaya]

London and London cast, clockwise, starting with;
-our 3 zebras (Patience, Tamara, Mitch)
-Brian Temba (Simba) and me
-ensemble people: Luyanda, Ntiskelelo, Gitty, crew guy Matt, Tamara and in the middle front David Dennis :)
-crew girls, mask&puppets dep. (Ida, Monica, me)
-me with my walkie&headset
-Brian with my girls, Wen, Nat and Suilin (all ensemble)
-Brian T. aka Simba on his way off the stage (15 min pause)
-center me trying to get into the role ;)

http://img233.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lndncolkvp2.jpg

[Lion_King_300]

:wow:

Awesome collection of pictures Z!!!

I WILL make it backstage sometime to see all the masks costumes up close before I die.

<steals Simba mask and runs onstage to sing Endless Night>

:lol:

[Revo]

Awesome pictures everyone, and I enjoyed reading that interview LK300! :cheese: I've only seen the play once last January. I didn't think I was ever gonna be able to see it since it doesn't play in Finland, but I was very lucky to get the chance to see it while I'm in the US.

[Guntur]

Which one are you Zaya?

Edit: NVM, I just read your post :bleen:

[Zaya]

Thanks LK300, got more, but it's just many randoms of the working space backstage, it's a MESS!! Or the same friends on all the other pictures...ahhh, many many more of my boy B, LOL

Btw. maybe you shouldn't even wish for seeing them all up close, you have no idea how clumsy it's made and the way they repair it...ISH! :S

lol, Fendi, gotta read before you watch the pictures, ts ts ts :lol: guess yu noticed it's me practically everywhere

[Guntur]

Originally posted by Zaya

lol, Fendi, gotta read before you watch the pictures, ts ts ts :lol: guess yu noticed it's me practically everywhere

Yeah, you work at the theater or the production?

Is that Simba with those girls? Man I knew it, Simba the Pimp.:lol: Zaya you're good looking your self. *nods*
= ). Nice picture.

[Zaya]

I worked with the London and with the Paris production in the masks&puppet department (going back to either one of them when i finish my dagree), all the contracts and work "goes" with the production and people are all hired by Disney or in Paris case Stage Entertainment. It's practiclly a big moving piece :lol:

Yeah that's Simba the pimp, there is always a big "pile" of girls around him...may it be the theatre, the stage door, a club, the street, he's just popular haha. He's a close and special friend tho and a wonderful guy, no pimp qualities, LOL.

Awwww, well thank you for the compliment, altho I think I look rather crapy on those pictures, most taken during dusty work or after shows when you're tired and realy just want to go home and sleeeeeep :D

[Guntur]

Marry me, *singing* Loving you... is easy cause you're beautiful.... lol :lol:[end spam]

Any cute lionesses for me? :p
Okay enough of the mushy stuff.


How long did ya work with the production? I'm sure you get well paid for this heavy job. I love working behind the scene, especially working with music. I never watch the broadway but I'll wait my chance to see it when I'm in USA.

[Zaya]

:lol: You'll have to ask Simba the pimp there ;)

Cute lionesses everywhere around you at these theatres...

I only worked trough last summer in London, did not get paid for that because I was doing work experience, in Paris I worked for a month and a half now, paid badly, but it's worth it!

[Guntur]

Man, working at the theater like working at the goldmine, slimy yet satisfied. My lecturer said working as a lighting man at the theater is worth 15,000 dollars per month. Well if you say it's worth it, it's okay with me.


Say hi to Simba the Pimp for me. :idiot:

[HasiraKali]

So I'm not sure how many of y'all are Broadway fans in general as well as TLKoB fans. I thought I'd share these here but they require a bit of explanation. :lol:

Every year, the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS foundation has an auction called "Broadway Bears". There's also "Broadway Bares" but that one's COMPLETELY different. :lol: Anyway, what it is, is these artists all make bears of various characters from different shows and usually, the originator of the character autographs them. There have been TLKoB ones in the past, but this year there are two. :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/2008broadwaybear.jpg
Pumbaa. It didn't say if Tom Alan Robbins signed it or not.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/2008broadwaybearnala.jpg
Nala. Signed by Heather Headley.

These things sometimes auction for more than $5,000 depending on the character. The Rafiki bear was actually the first one to go for more than $5,000. There's a Spring Awakening one this year and I'm pretty sure it'll go for at least that.

[Zaya]

AWWWW I absolutely adore the Pumbaa bear!! SO CUTE!!

Btw. HK did you see my pic, they got me into a quick Nala make-up in Paris!! :lol: :lol:

I think I'm looking out of place!

[Anyango]

Oh man those are really really adorable! :3 I like that Pumbaa one it's hilarious! :3

[TheColorYellow]

Wow, those are very cute. :D Nala looks like Winnie the Pooh.

[Guntur]

And Pumbaa looks like "Crazy eating warthog zombie" :cheese: but overall it's cute HK. :D

[HasiraKali]

That's a bad shot of the Pumbaa one. He does have pupils. :lol: Here's a better shot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/BEARS-08-LionKingPumbaSide.jpg

I also managed to find shots of the past ones. They only have pictures from 2000 onwards, but the only one missing is Rafiki I think.

2001
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/2001bwaybearmufasa.jpg

2003
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/2003lionking.jpg

2004
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/hasirakali/TLKoB/2004Lion-King-Front.jpg

[TheColorYellow]

Pumbaa still looks like a zombie to me, with the ribcage showing and all. :p It's cute, though.

[Guntur]

Mama se mama sa mama cusa [end random]

Awww.. cute bear. :D

[HasiraKali]

Last night was the final performance of the South African production. It broke all kinds of records during it's short run. Awesome.

I also just read a little news blurb saying that the production is heading for Taipei next. I haven't found any other articles about that, but I'll keep y'all posted of course. ;)

That's exactly what Phantom did when it closed in South Africa. And then it did a world tour of Asia.

This is kind of off-topic but I need to share. I had to do eye surgery on my lovey Simba plushie. The black on his eyes were starting to come off. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen sooner since he's almost fourteen.

Edited so as not to freak Z out further. ;)

[Zaya]

OK YOU FREAK ME HK!! I soooo hope Simba is a plushie! :lol: :lol:

[HasiraKali]

Oh he totally is, don't worry. :lol:

[Guntur]

Noo.. my favorite thread is dying. soo do they have Simba bear HK?

[HasiraKali]

Not that I've seen. Maybe they'll have one next year. :)

I know of someone who went to the show in London yesterday afternoon and Simba was a swing. There were lots of understudies she said.

[Zaya]

Noooo, again they missed Makiwane boy! But the cast is changing on the 22nd of April so everyone is taking off now, using all the vacation they were left with etc.

Btw. it's not of him as Simba, but there's a video with him in it, end part, like after 1:40 or something, didn't check...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh86T1pcHw4

[HasiraKali]

Oh yeah. I remember you showing me that awhile back. :)