Legend lives
From the plains of Africa, Simba roars and goes PH calling at last
“Nants ingonyama bagithi baba.”
Unless you speak Zulu, you probably didn’t get that. Avid fans of Disney’s “The Lion King,” however, would tell you it’s the opening chant from “The Circle of Life,” one of the musical’s most famous songs. And even if you’ve never seen the “The Lion King” on stage, the rumble (and goodnatured grumble) of the Pinoy fans who think its arrival on our shores has long been overdue, is difficult to ignore.
Based on the 1994 animated film of the same title, “The Lion King” debuted on Broadway in 1997 to staggering success. Two decades hence, the comingof-age tale of lion cub Simba remains popular.
It was announced late last year that the Tony award-winning musical will come to Manila as part of their international tour. In fact, Concertus Manila, the promoter behind the show, said in a statement that the “The Lion King” was able to sell “over 14,000 tickets on day one of the priority booking period, eclipsing the previous record of a single day of sales for a theatrical production.”
Mere weeks before “The Lion King” opens at The Theatre at Solaire, Bulletin Entertainment sat down with associate producer Anthony Lyn for an interview.
First off, Anthony credits American director Julie Taymor for the success of the show. Note, she became the first woman to win the Tony Award for directing “The Lion King.”
“Julie Taymor along with her extraordinary creative team did a tireless Broadway phenomenon,” he noted. “They’ve come up with a production that has beauty and heart. I think what makes the show successful is that it’s a family show. It’s good for everyone. It has a beautiful story that everyone can relate to especially the Filipinos because they are very family-oriented.”
Anthony added “The Lion King” highlights the importance of a parentchild bonding, as well as teaching everyone that friendship comes in all shapes and sizes.
“‘The Lion King’ tells the story of getting lost and finding your way back home. It inspires us that everyone should rise up and aim to become the best versions of ourselves,” he maintained. “I think the biggest lesson the show could impart to the viewers, especially the Filipino audience, is the importance and the connection between a father and son relationship.
“Apart from that, the musical also has a love story in so many different levels. You can also learn from here the things like how to deal with grief. I guess there are so many different elements in the show that can hook each of us.”
Since the musical is already 20 years old, its inevitable that adjustments have been made technicality-wise. Yet, they’ve maintained the authenticity and the uniqueness of the story.
“We had some adjustments but nothing terrible. I mean, we did some changes with the choreography, with the dances, with the production number but the story itself? No. We are very respectful to it. And I think we don’t need to change do it because it’s already perfect as it is,” Anthony said.
“The Lion King” features talented cast from all over the globe, including six actors from the Philippines.
Sharing the role of Young Simba are Julien Joshua Dolor, Pablo Palacpac and Juan Tiongson; while sharing the role of Young Nala are Sheena Bentoy, Uma Martin and Felicity Napuli.
Anthony said the kids did extensive auditions to snag their parts.
“The Philippines have incredible talented kids. I was very fortunate to come here to work for ‘Miss Saigon’ before, and I see a wonderful culture of singing here,” he said. “So when we decided to stage the show here in the Philippines, I think, it’s automatically a no-brainer on why we got Filipino children. After all, they are really incredible and their fellow Filipinos should watch out for them.”
In a separate interview, African thespians Calvyn Grandling and Noxolo Dlamini, who plays the characters of Simba and Nala, find their Pinoy coactors “very stunning.”
“They are very talented. They have beautiful smile and they have so much energy and it’s really nice working with them,” Noloxo said.
Calvyn added, “The kids, everytime they see me, they are like “Hello there!” and it’s really amazing. They perform very well and I’m super excited the share the stage with them in front of the Filipino audience.”
He said, she said
Simba is a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa (Mthokozisi Khanyile) as King of the Pride Lands. However, after uncle Scar (Antony Lawrence) murders Mufasa, Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile. Upon maturation living with two wastrels, Simba gets valuable perspective from his childhood friend, Nala, and his shaman, Rafiki (Ntsepa Pitjeng). He then returns to challenge Scar to end his tyranny and take his place in the Circle of Life as the rightful King.
Calyvn and Noxolo said they literally cried when the role was given to them.
“I cried like a baby because I wanted that role so much!” she said, laughing.
Calvyn, who considers “The Lion King” the brightest spot on his résumé so far, shared he got mixed emotions upon receiving the e-mail that sealed the deal.
“It was like a dream come true for me. When I open the e-mail, I immediately ran to my mom and said ‘I got it!’ That was amazing.” The two relate to their characters. Calvyn shared, “When I was 16, my father left home so I didn’t know what do with myself. Everybody came to me and they were like, ‘Hey what are young going to do?’ But he came back and that was the best things. ‘The Lion King’ is about a father-son relationship and so everytime I do my character, I remember the happy moments of my life.”
Noxola hopes kids would find Nala “very inspirational.”
“In my life, I have been with different struggles that taught me to be strong and made importance to my family. I came out strong like Nala. She’s a warrior, a very strong-willed. I think it she implies to the young girls that sometimes you need to step outside of your comfort zone to get things done. You’re a woman and believe that you can do it because you’re one,” she said.
“The Lion King” runs from March 18 to May 6.
‘The Lion King’ has a beautiful story that everyone can relate to especially the Filipinos because they are very family-oriented.