Ah, saw that german thingy...again they only did Circle of life :( I dunno...why don't they ever do...He lives in you for instance...or at least CYFTLT...
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Ah, saw that german thingy...again they only did Circle of life :( I dunno...why don't they ever do...He lives in you for instance...or at least CYFTLT...
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/tim30...nd_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/tim30.../tlkob_adv.jpg
Chinese TLKOB ad showing ticket prices and describing the show
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...shanghai_1.jpg
Another HUGE ad they had near the side entrance
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...b/main_rag.jpg
The much-beloved main rag in all its glory
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...ranslation.jpg
These screens displayed the script in Mandarin Chinese so the mostly non-English speaking audience could follow along
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...simba_mask.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/tim30.../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 gopher! Zazu stuck his head completely in the gopher hole. I think only one other time did the gopher 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!
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/tim30...kob/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/tim30...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/tim30...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/tim30...oung_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/tim30...on_pumbaa2.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...mon_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?
;)
Awesome story and pictures Tim! I also have some things I want to say about seeing TLKoB in London, but I just haven't gonen't around to yet. I guess I'll do that now. :D
Hey you know what? In London, Zazu sung, ""Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious". (I had to look that up to check how to spell that, who actually knows how to spell that word?) :lol: STM said, maybe it's more Brittish, but I think they did that, because of that new Mary Poppins Broadway show that's showing in London.Quote:
Originally posted by Lion_King_300
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 more as a mouse loves rice."
It was really awesome seeing the show in London. He Lives in You, was so brightly lit, like the stars were really bright and Mufasa was shown really bright. (Since before London, I've only see a touring cast) But that doesn't really surprise me. Tim, you told me it was like that when you saw the show in New York, and since the show in London is always playing in the same spot, like New York, it should be that way. It was really neat like that though. You could feel the seats and floors shake a little too, during certains scenes, like the stampede. (Same as for you when you saw the show in New York, right Tim?) Plus it was so awesome to see TLKoB with some many Lea members. Most of us sat next to each other, and in front or behind each other, it was so great. I bought a London TLKoB glitterly shirt, (It has the Houses of Parliament on the shirt) and that TLKoB Charm Bracelet.
It was lots of fun! :cheese: There are pictures in this thread: http://www.leahalalela.com/showthread.php?threadid=8296
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 particulat 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 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? Do you like Chinese food?
TM: It?s quite different from any place I have lived. 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, 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/20...b__430x255.jpg
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...ob/turanga.jpg
:wow:
That is soooooo awesome Tim !! :wow:
Yeah that was really interesting to read! It's so awesome you got to talk to Turanga for that long!
wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, that is so nice Tim, he seems so friendly and all :)
:( I wish I ever had an opportunity to just meet and talk and take a pic with my favorite Simba...things would be so much easier :(
Awesome! :D I want to add him to my harem. :lol:
Yes, it was just like that in New York, but in Shanghai I dare say that scene was even better. it's kind of hard to describe, but if you remember there are grass-like long leaves that hang down as Rafiki is showing Simba his "reflection" and the song begins... well those leaves were speckled all over with dots of light, and as the song begins, they kind of blend into the starry night background, I didn't even notice when they went away, and there were so many 'stars' in the bg (I'd say about twice as many as in the touring production) and they were backlit so well when Mufasa's mask was being brought out it made this incredible swirling effect, almost like you were looking through a kaleidoscope, the whole night sky was swirling with stars... and it all led up to when the ghost mask came out... wow the overall effect was amazing.Quote:
Originally posted by Sharifu
Awesome story and pictures Tim! I also hav
It was really awesome seeing the show in London. He Lives in You, was so brightly lit, like the stars were really bright and Mufasa was shown really bright. (Since before London, I've only see a touring cast) But that doesn't really surprise me. Tim, you told me it was like that when you saw the show in New York, and since the show in London is always playing in the same spot, like New York, it should be that way. It was really neat like that though. You could feel the seats and floors shake a little too, during certains scenes, like the stampede. (Same as for you when you saw the show in New York, right Tim?) I bought a London TLKoB glitterly shirt, (It has the Houses of Parliament on the shirt) and that TLKoB Charm Bracelet.
I do hope if the Australian Cast folds that Turanga gets to continue the role if he wants to in the United States or the West End, he seems to love his job!
Oh, and you got the TLKOB Charm Bracelet!!! I've been looking for that for EVER, but they didn't have it in Shanghai. I got the TLKOB hat with the lion head logo, a laser-cut keychain with the same logo, a TLKOB Shanghai Mug and the Official program (it's really nice and has full color pics like the U.S. program but also has info about the cast and people that made the show, as there were no playbills distributed in Shanghai)
I found that souvenirs were on average 30-50% off what they cost in the U.S. at the Touring productions (T-shirts were $12.50 USD, $25 usually, the mug was $6.25, normally $10, the plushies were $10, usually $15)
And I totally forgot I have a movie to show you, I was able to capture most of the curtain call and since I got a new camera the zoom and quality is much better than last time in New York. The file size is pretty big, but it's worth the wait. Enjoy!
http://students.washington.edu/tim30...shows_over.jpg
Shanghai Lion King Curtain Call
Yay! Thanks for sharing that Tim. :D But now I want to see the show. :( And Houston is too far away. :( Or wherever it is right now. But Austin soon. :D
awwww...I wanna see it too :( But I'm sure not for another 3 or 4 months.
Love the clip Tim. Btw...did you ask Turanga for an email or something :) That would be lovely =D
Maybe he could come to perform as Simba in London after Brian finishes? ;)
You know, that never occurred to me to ask him for his e-mail. I was just in awe (you know how sometimes people freeze when they're around celebrities) most of the time I was there talking with him that I didn't even get to ask him some of the questions I wanted to, such as "what was it like to work with Julie Taymor" or more technical stuff about the show and rehearsals. I really wish I did though, of course I'll probably never see him in person again.
I haven't looked into it much, but possibly through the Chinese Lion King website
http://www.thelionking.cn/english/
you can see if there's a way to contact Turanga or other cast members.
You could try writing to the theater. My dad got me an autograph from one of my favourite bway actors by contacting the theater and asking for them to give him a message and he called my dad back! :D My dad got to talk to him. I was so jealous. :lol:
Oh, yeah, it's not a problem to get autographs...they always send it...
And yeah if you write to the theatre, putting the actors name in ( ) you can write to him or her and ask for an email or something...but it is alot more personal if you ask them right there...
Oh, and Tim, yeah I know how you freeze around such people...but I think you learn trough time they're just as much human as you are =)
Oh definitely, and the great thing about Turanga was that he acted so personable and humble he was really easy to talk to... but I look up to these people so much it's still hard sometimes.
I'm sure being in a foreign country where this kind of musical theatre is a relatively new thing, and the fact that not many people speak fluent English, they don't get many fans at the stage door. They sure seemed happy to see us!
Is anyone going to try write to the theater?
I think Z and Nath have a cunning plan. ;) I know what it's like to freeze. :lol: I will be more brave in Austin y'all. :D
lol, I was asleep during this cunning plan ... waiting for Zaya to get back on-line now :p
And yeah, it is more "fun" if you can get an autograph personal, but sometimes and for some people, that's just not possible.
Cunning plan in action! ;)
And yeah, I guess they don't have many fans in China...but really, there aren't many fans in London either. I dunno, are they too shy or is it just not...a thing they'd do?
HK: You go girl, you grab that Wallace arm and tell him he's uh oh sexy haha
*kicks the crickets out of the thread*
Do we need another pic spam in here? I think so. ;)
I'll give you a cookie if you can guess who this amazing Mufasa is. :lol: Z can't play because she already knows who it is. :p
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...oB/whatthe.jpg
And I'm missing Jason all hardcore tonight so here are some pictures. :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...B/Image6-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...B/Imjjage1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...B/headshot.jpg