By Leigh Scheps
8:26 AM PST, November 10, 2017
Tom Alan Robbins (Pumbaa, original)
On the first dress rehearsal with an audience:
“After the opening number, [the audience] stopped the show for at least 10 minutes. They got up on their feet, stamped their feet and refused to let us go on with the show. It was one of the most exciting evenings in theater I’ve ever experienced.”
Lebo M. (Composer)
On the show’s continued success:
“I think it’s the story that drives everything. People from all over the world can relate on a personal level.”
Garth Fagan (Choreographer)
On his favorite part of the show:
“The lionesses are my favorite thing. I had an infant daughter that died in a car crash. She loved the lioness. I did this for her. She was dead, but I did it for her. It’s just wonderful. Every time I see the lionesses I bawl like a baby. But it is a good bawl. It’s not a negative thing.”
Heather Headley (Nala, original)
On bringing her 7-year-old son to see the show:
“I made a decision not to see the show with my [son] until he was ready. He saw it in Chicago, but we never saw it here [on Broadway until now]. So it is very overwhelming to have him sit there and watch it through his eyes.”
Renee Elise Goldsberry (Nala, replacement)
On being part of the ‘Lion King’ family:
“It feels wonderful, because 'Hamilton' is like 'The Lion King,' hopefully. It will continue because when you have new children they have to see it. It’s the dream come true. It’s the brass ring.”
Jelani Remy (Simba, current)
On his favorite celebrity guest:
“Running into Angelina Jolie was pretty amazing. She came backstage to see us and spoke wonderfully. I really admire her work.”
Stephen Carlile (Scar, current)
On the musical’s 20th anniversary performance:
“Singing with Elton John was the highlight of an incredible night. He was a gentleman in the wings and a legend on stage. I was standing right in front of him as he sang ‘Circle of Life.’ I’ll never forget his face when he looked up at me in surprise to see a 7-foot lion staring right back.”
Lindiwe Dlamini (Ensemble, current)
On initial performances of the show:
“You didn’t know how the audience was going to receive it, [but] the energy was beyond belief. There was a feeling about 'The Lion King' -- something unique. You could feel it was going to be long-running.”
Julie Taymor (Director)
On new countries she hopes ‘The Lion King’ will tour:
“There are lots of places still. I’d love to travel more of Africa with it. It was in parts of South Africa. I would love to bring it to Indonesia, because that’s where I spent four years of my life.”
Thomas Schumacher (Producer and President, Disney Theatrical Group)
On the Disney family’s knowledge of the musical:
“Roy Disney was alive when we were making it and was so close with us. This is something he took great pride in. Walt [Disney’s] daughter Diane took great pride in it.”
Mark Mancina (Composer)
On why the show is so beloved:
“I think it’s the story that drives everything. People from all over the world can relate on a personal level.”
Elton John (Music)
On his success following ‘The Lion King’:
“It’s such an important part of my life. It’s opened the doors, so many doors for me.”
Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi (Book)
Allers on adapting the animated film for the stage:
“It sort of started casually in a conversation with Julie [Taymor]. [Irene and I] actually had no idea what this was going to turn into. We were quite innocent and went, ‘Sure! We’ll help.’”
Mecchi on casting for the live-action film:
“You know who I'm really excited about? John Oliver as Zazu.”