Broadway Review: Disney’s The Lion King
Last night my friend and I headed to the Detroit Opera House in the heart of Detroit, Michigan to see the World’s #1 Musical The Lion King. If you read anything in this post it should be this: go see Disney’s The Lion King Broadway performance. The singing, dancing, props, stage effects were like nothing I have ever seen in a Broadway performance. I can’t recommend going to this show enough.
You can catch Disney’s The Lion King
at the Detroit Opera House
Now – February 20, 2022.
I heard The Lion King on Broadway is weird, is it?
Same! I heard that too, and I found it a bit strange seeing as The Lion King on Broadway is World’s #1 Musical. Let me tell you The Lion King on Broadway is the World’s #1 Musical for a reason, it’s INCREDIBLE. The actors really sound like the characters I remember in the Disney animated version, the costumes and makeup are unreal. People who think its weird, boring, creepy are out of their minds. This show is like nothing I have ever seen before, and I already want to go see it again.
Is The Lion King on Broadway worth seeing?
Yes, 100000% The Lion King on Broadway is worth seeing. Hands down its the coolest production I have ever seen. I still can’t get over how it immerses you, because they utilize the entire theater. If you put any show on your must see Broadway list it should be The Lion King.
About The Lion King
Approaching 24 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by nearly 110 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years, with four of those running 20 or more years.
Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), by the end of 2021, there will be ten productions of The Lion King around the world, including Broadway, London, Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, on tour across North America, Japan and the U.K. & Ireland, with a separate production touring internationally. Having played over 100 cities in 21 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor supervises new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to Lebo M’s rich choral numbers.
Elton John, Lebo M, and Hans Zimmer all collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor), Doc Zorthian (production supervisor) and Binder Casting/Mark Brandon, CSA (casting). Anne Quart serves as co-producer.
Broadway Review: Hairspray
Hairspray is playing in Detroit at the Fisher Theatre Now – January 30, 2022. The show is colorful, bright and super lively. The night I went Tracy was played by the understudy Faith Northcutt. Reading that on the sign I never felt so annoyed. The MAIN character was going to be played by an understudy, what a disappointment. But it turns out it wasn’t a disappointment at all. Despite this being Faith Northcutt’s National Tour Principal Debut as Tracy Burnblad you would have never known. The craziest part, Faith Northcutt had NEVER actually run through the show before she went on. You wouldn’t have even known that, she was absolutely fantastic.
If the understudy for Hairspray can go on and rock the house, imagine what the you’ll see when the whole company goes on and is healthy! Hairspray would make the perfect girls night out.
Coming to Detroit: Waitress
Hey Detroit, have you heard the news? Waitress is coming back to Detroit for a limited one-week engagement and I can’t wait. Waitress opens March 15-20, 2022 at the Music Hall in Detroit and tickets start at $29!. Mark your calendars because tickets go on sale Friday, January 21, and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.
Waitress opened April 24, 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Based upon the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, WAITRESS is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles (composer of “Love Song” and “Brave”), choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award®-winner Diane Paulus. The WAITRESS Tour features Choreography Re-created by Abbey O’Brien, Tour Direction re-created by Susanna Wolk, and includes Scott Pask, Scenic Design; Suttirat Anne Larlarb, Costume Design; Ken Billington, Lighting Design; Jonathan Deans, Sound Design; Wigs by Richard Mawbey; original music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo, with tour music supervision by Ryan Cantwell. Arrangements by Nadia DiGiallonardo and Sara Bareilles, and Orchestrations by Sara Bareilles and The Waitress Band. Waitress is produced by NETworks Presentations LLC. Casting by Stewart/Whitley.
“WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” says Entertainment Weekly, and is “Warm, witty, wise and hilarious. A wonderful treat.” according to London’s Express Online!
“It’s an empowering musical of the highest order!” raves the Chicago Tribune. Don’t miss this uplifting and hilarious musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
For more tour information, please visit WaitressTour.com
Performance times for WAITRESS, appearing March 15-20, 2022 at Music Hall, located at 350 Madison Avenue, in Detroit are:
- Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Open captioned performance on Sunday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for WAITRESS start at $29 (includes facility fee) and go on sale Friday, January 21. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For group sales (10 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com or call 313-871-1132.
Tickets for the open captioned performance may be purchased in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office or by phone at 313-872-1000, ext. 0.
Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice.
Broadway In Detroit uses Ticketmaster as its sole, authorized ticketing agent. Individual tickets purchased from a ticket broker or “third party” ticket reseller involves risk and may not be authentic, sold at box office prices, or with correct performance and venue information. Broadway In Detroit box offices cannot verify tickets sold through a third party or ticket reseller. Broadway In Detroit is also unable to contact third party purchasers with pertinent updates or changes regarding performances.
Following the lead of Broadway and concert venues across the country, Broadway In Detroit theatre patrons will be required to show photo identification and proof of a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the performance date or proof of full Covid-19 vaccination before they will be admitted into the venue. Additionally, all patrons will be required to wear a mask while inside the theatre regardless of one’s vaccination status.
All ticket purchasers will receive a Broadway In Detroit Health & Safety Guide via email in the weeks prior to their performance. This guide will also be posted on the company’s website (BroadwayInDetroit.com) and available at the Fisher Theatre box office. It will have the latest information on the company’s health and safety protocols as well as information on what to expect when you arrive at the theatre.
NETWORKS PRESENTATIONS (Producer) is an industry leading producer of touring musical theater productions committed to delivering quality entertainment to audiences worldwide. Having produced national and international tours over 20 years, NETworks’ productions include Cameron Mackintosh’s The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon; The Band’s Visit, A Bronx Tale, Blue Man Group Speechless Tour Fiddler on the Roof, Once On This Island, Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical, and Waitress.
Coming to Detroit: STOMP
Detroit, have you heard the news? STOMP is coming Detroit’s Music Hall March 1-6, 2022, and tickets are currently on sale! Grab yours because this is one show you do not want to miss!
STOMP
Where: Music Hall, Detroit
When: March 1-6, 2022
STOMP, the international percussion sensation, returns to Detroit to perform at Music Hall, March 1-6, 2022. From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an international sensation over the past 27 years, having performed in more than 50 countries and in front of more than 24 million people. Individual tickets start at $49 and will be available for sale starting Friday, January 14 online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office
Created by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, STOMP continues its phenomenal run with four global productions: the ongoing sell-out production at New York’s Orpheum Theatre, a permanent London company, and North American and European tours. Throughout its life, the show has continued to change by creating new material; this year it will incorporate two new pieces. It is safe to say you will never again look at supermarket carts or plumbing fixtures the same way… or paint cans, or kitchen sinks or…
STOMP, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, and sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London’s Tony Award), a New York Obie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a Special Citation from Best Plays.
In addition to the stage shows, STOMP has been an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards, an Academy Award nomination, four Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award for their acclaimed HBO special Stomp Out Loud, noteworthy TV appearances including The London 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony, The Academy Awards (produced by Quincy Jones), Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and a series of award-winning international commercials.
The performers “make a rhythm out of anything we can get our hands on that makes a sound,” says co-founder/director Luke Cresswell. A unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable, contemporary form of rhythmic expression: both household and industrial objects find new life as musical instruments in the hands of an idiosyncratic band of body percussionists. It is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and drum.
Synchronized stiff-bristle brooms become a sweeping orchestra, eight Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – dustbins, tea chests, radiator hoses, boots, hub caps – to fill the stage with a compelling and unique act that is often imitated but never duplicated.
Critics and audiences have raved: “STOMP is as crisp and exuberant as if it had opened yesterday,” says The New York Times. The San Francisco Chronicle declares “STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” The Los Angeles Times exclaims: “Electrifying! Triumphs in the infinite variety of the human experience.” “A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking – a joyous invention!” says the Chicago Tribune.
For more information on STOMP, go to www.stomponline.com or www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.
Performance times for STOMP, appearing March 1-6, 2022 at Music Hall, located at 350 Madison Avenue, in Detroit are:
- Tuesday – Saturday Evenings at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets for STOMP, start at $49 (includes facility fee) and go on sale Friday, January 14. Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-982-2787, and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office. A limited number of premium seats will be available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
For group sales (10 or more) please email broadwayindetroitgroups@theambassadors.com or call 313-871-1132.
Review: Beautiful The Carole King Musical
WHAT A SHOW! Last night I headed to the Fisher Theatre in Downtown Detroit to catch the Broadway performance of Beautiful The Carole King Musical and WOW! Beautiful The Carole King Musical just moved into my top five musicals. Sara Shepard’s performance as Carole King was absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD! Beautiful The Carole King Musical is playing in Detroit now through Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Beautiful The Carole King Music takes you on a journey of Carole Kings life. You learn about the songs she wrote, the friends she made, what she went through in her first married and of course leaving her husband to live her best life in California. The production is funny, engaging and one you just don’t want to end. In all honesty I cannot recommend Beautiful The Carole King Musical enough.
Synopsis of Beautiful The Carole King Musical
Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. But it wasn’t until her personal life began to crack that she finally managed to find her true voice. Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation. Beautiful features a stunning array of beloved songs written by Gerry Goffin/Carole King and Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil, including “I Feel The Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got A Friend” and the title song.
Fashion meets Food 