When the beloved animated feature film The Lion King was released to rapt audiences in 1994, few could have imagined the story would find its way to Las Vegas. Fans of the long-running Broadway production doubted Sin City audiences would appreciate the craft, the music or the running time (more than two hours).

And yet, The Lion King has finally arrived, slightly tailored for its Mandalay Bay home, but still as vibrant (and as long) as the original production. Broadway transplants like Kissy Simmons (who plays Nala) and Alton White (Mufasa) have joined Las Vegas native newcomers and South African actors to present the Strip’s newest production.

Simmons and White recently spoke to Casino Connection about the show, the songs and Simba, everyone’s favorite lion cub.

Disney’s The Lion King will take up residence at the Mandalay Bay Theatre Friday, May 15 at 8 p.m. Preview performances begin May 5. Tickets are $53, $86 and $113.50. VIP packages are available for $168.50.

Casino Connection: How does the original Lion King animated world translate to the stage?

SIMMONS: It’s quite similar, and I think they’ve done a great job bringing life-size animals to the stage. They’re not live animals, they’re puppetry. You have to have a puppet, but you never have your face covered. There’s the human actor and the puppet itself.

The story is still the same. The character Nala has been expanded more. She has a solo; she has a meatier part. Anyone who knows the animated version will find that it pretty much follows.

WHITE: One of the greatest things about this show is that the animated feature is so familiar, especially for people who have kids. Nothing really prepares you for seeing the stage version, because it’s so magical, so unbelievable. There are so many incredible artistic tricks in it that aren’t really that technical.

The stage version has been expanded; the story’s been expanded to make it more complete. Director Julie Taymor wanted to make sure the women really had a great presence in this version. Rafiki in the animated feature is played by a man, but in the stage version she’s a female. She’s Mother Earth, the all-knowing one who sees everything.

Elton John’s music is integral to this production—what is it like to perform such well-known and beloved songs?

WHITE: These are pop songs that were top 10 hits on the radio, and to put them on stage and put them into a different context is great.

There’s a lot of South African music that has been brought to the forefront in the stage version. It always hits people in the heart in a way that they don’t expect. Even if you don’t understand the language, the sincerity in what’s being sung just moves people in ways they don’t expect. We’re also really blessed to have South African cast members with us. The production takes place on an African savanna. To have native South Africans singing in their language is incredible.

SIMMONS: My song, “Shadowland,” has the music in the animated feature but not necessarily the lyrics. Throughout the stage play, there’s underscoring of certain parts of it, but now it’s like, this is a song.

Both of you performed in the Broadway production; have any alterations been made to the show to appeal to Las Vegas audiences?

WHITE: The story’s been tightened to tell it more clearly, which is a great thing. The writers from the original film have been working with us, to work on some dialogue. We’ve been experimenting. To have the writers from the movie from the ‘90s come back and tweak things—this production is going to be very special. This one’s being catered specifically for Vegas.

A lot of Broadway shows have attempted to transition to Las Vegas with little success. How do you think The Lion King will fare here?

SIMMONS: I think The Lion King is a spectacular show visually, and it has a great story. We have several companies around the world, and people flock to see it. I think that it will really be a great production here, and people will enjoy it.

WHITE: I think the Disney brand is such a powerful brand. I don’t know one child in the world that has not had Disney as part of their growing experience. The Lion King is a phenomenon because it’s entertaining; it’s beautiful because of the music, the story.

It’s about Simba’s journey. It’s a journey that everyone has to take—man, woman, black, white. Every person takes that journey—the hero’s journey.

Growing up with your family, making your way in the world, reconnecting with your family in some way. The human journey makes this show so special, on top of the magic and the music.

You need a great story as a foundation, and The Lion King has that. That’s why it has played so well around the world. I think when people see it on the stage, it’s going to blow them away. You could see it 10 times and see something different each time.

The Lion King is replacing Mamma Mia!, which ran for nearly six years. Do you expect The Lion King to have that kind of longevity here?

WHITE: This is a great place for the show to be because of the fantasy aspect of it. When I think of Vegas, I think of fantasy and magic and forgetting your cares and reinventing yourself. I think The Lion King fits in perfectly with that. I think it’s going to have a long healthy run.

The show officially opens in a few weeks. How are the cast and crew feeling right now?

SIMMONS: All I can say is that everyone is totally excited—cast, crew, musicians. Everyone’s excited to be at the Mandalay Bay. It’s a great venue to be performing in, and it’s just exciting. That’s what’s really going to capture any success The Lion King has.

WHITE: We’re all really excited about the show. There are people who have done the show before and people who have never done it. The new cast members have these moments of breathlessness.

The opening number is one of the most amazing numbers ever blocked for the stage. This is the one show where you cannot be late. The opening sequence—you will never forget it.

By Caitlin McGarry

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