It sounded like a good idea at the time. However, getting his feedback was a little like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks. But, let’s give it a shot. Take it away, LBT Boy…
When we got there, we were kind of early. We had to wait about eight hours for the show to start, but I got a Capri Sun and a goody bag with pretzels and fruit snacks. That was good.
So, you somehow entered a timewarp, but managed to score awesome refreshments. Got it. Do go on.
Then we got to our seats, and they started playing music, and giraffes and birds and a “hunormous” elephant came marching in from behind us. They were puppets. Some looked real, and some didn’t. I could see the strings sometimes. They really need to work on getting invisible strings.
Duly noted.
When asked to elaborate on the puppets, his description became more show than tell, with a whole lot of pantomime and sound effects, so LBT Dad had to step in with a more coherent explanation. Much of the puppetry involves mechanical headpieces and large, elaborate costumes that require tools, and often more than one person, to move all the parts. A little research revealed that the techniques they use are Bunraku Puppetry from Japan, and shadow puppetry from Indonesia.
Okay, back to LBT Boy. Let’s hear about the story…
Simba’s dad (Mufasa, the king) is trying to teach him how to be a lion, but everyone laughed when he tried to roar. His uncle (Scar) was a bad lion who kills his father. Simba was trying to climb up to get away from a herd of wildebeests. His father came to help, but the uncle stabbed him with his claws and made him get run over. I didn’t like that part.
Simba’s uncle tells him it’s his fault his dad died, so Simba runs away. His new friends are a hog (Pumba, the warthog) and a little tiny guy with a hairy head and a hairy bottom (that’d be Timon, the meerkat), and he grows up. And his friends teach him to say “potato potata” (he either meant ”hakuna matata,” or the production has gone Gershwin, which I would enjoy). He went back and met his girlfriend and they kissed! Oooooh, we can’t have girlfriends at school! Then Simba got to be king.
Excellent. So, the storyline is easy to follow. And PDA is discouraged in kindergarten. Good to know.
I didn’t need to ask about his favorite part, as he interjected it into his synopsis (which I edited out, you're welcome) about every minute-and-a-half. Apparently, there is a monkey who occasionally pops in to shake its bottom or swing across the stage. LBT Dad informed me that this took up about 30 seconds of the entire show, but, if the level of hysterical laughter is any indication, it will be the highlight of LBT Boy's oral review to his schoolmates. And a letter home will likely follow.
How ‘bout some final words from LBT Boy...
What did you like least about the show?
When Simba’s dad died.
What did you like best? Besides the monkey.
I liked the music and the lights and the costumes.
Would you go see it again?
No. It was too long.
But , would you recommend it to your friends?
Yes!
Why?
Because they’d really like to see the monkey shaking his bottom!
Sigh. Jell-O and chopsticks, folks.
The Lion King is at the Mahalia Jackson Theater through April 15. Despite LBT Dad’s hilarious impression of LBT Boy’s frequent fidgeting and brief nap, they both gave the show high marks, overall. At almost 2 ½ hours (with a 15 minute intermission), perhaps the show runs a little long (especially the 8pm shows) for some kids. Maybe try an earlier show and/or stick with kids over 8. Go here for ticket information.
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