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Lord of the Dance (San Jose Center for Performing Arts)
255 Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95110
+1 888 455 7469 / +1 408 453 7108
site: Lord of the Dance (San Jose Center for Performing Arts)
#71 of 61 things to do rated by Real Travelers

More information on Lord of the Dance (San Jose Center for Performing Arts)

The heat of the African savanna and the pulse of the animal kingdom take over the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts in the colorful, mystical and thrilling theatrical version of Disney's The Lion King. The Tony Award-winning musical and perennial family favorite has won over audiences and critics worldwide under the helm of director Julie Taymor and with the well-known score written by Elton John and Tim Rice. While talking lions, laughing hyenas, and philosophical monkeys may be easier to pull off through the art of animation, the innovative use of Bunraku puppetry on stage (the puppeteers are visible to the audience) is successful in combining animal behavior with human emotion. Awe-inspiring sets seamlessly transition from the bright openness of the savanna to the gray and gloomy home of the hyenas to glorious starry nights. The audience is immediately transported to Africa as the visually startling giraffes grace the stage, a stocky elephant emerges from the back door, and a fanciful parade of wildlife make their way down the aisles to gather at Pride Rock to greet the future king, Simba. The beloved story of loss, love, and overcoming tragedy follows much of the movie's script but offers additional musical numbers like the enchanting "He Lives in You." Familiar hits like "The Circle of Life," "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" are even more dramatic and poignant performed live. The cast has obviously done their homework in reflecting the original characters' traits, feelings, and even voices. The young Simba (alternated between Khaleel Mandel Carter and Michael Nino Locke, Jr.) and Nala (Milan Barnes-Shuford and Kenisha Simone Harris) are irresistibly cute and emit their fun-loving playfulness and youthful attitude throughout the theater. The highlight is the wise and goofy Rafiki (Gugwana Dlamini), who brings strength to Simba, humor to the show, and enthusiasm to the entire audience. While colorful costumes, magnificent sets, intricate choreography, and crystal clear vocals offer intense non-stop entertainment, the nearly three-hour show can drag on a bit with extended musical numbers and over-the-top dancing segments. Still, kids of all ages will be amazed by the grandiose production that brings cartoon to reality. And what kid wouldn't appreciate that? Julie Taymor, Director; Elton John, Music; Tim Rice, Lyrics; Lebo M, Additional Music; Garth Fagan, Choreography; Richard Hudson, Scenic Design; Donald Holder, Lighting Design.

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