Disney’s The Lion King (National Tour)

“Wow!” That’s the one-word review of the opening scene of Disney’s The Lion King, the hit musical now playing as a part of the Broadway Across America series at Seattle Theatre Group’s Paramount Theatre in Seattle. It is likely the best opening scene I have ever experienced in a Broadway musical. If the review has three words, then I would add, “Those giraffes!” as they are just so stunning and graceful.

This was my first time (finally) seeing this classic musical, and I now understand why it has been running for so many years. It is the production quality that is the star here. The music, the puppeteering, the choreography and stage movement, the costumes - it’s all so magical.

I see many national tours, and this is certainly on the high end when it comes to production quality in a tour production. I add Disney’s The Lion King to my list with Wicked as the highest quality musicals I have seen on tour this year.

I see more shows in New York than I do national tours, and national tours of musicals don’t always do a great job of sound engineering in the tour venue. But this show has one of the highest quality sound experiences I’ve had at this venue. The sound levels are appropriate, the sound quality is good, and the addition of the musician next to the audience, supplementing the orchestra in the pit, adds to the acoustic experience.

At various points in the show, the cast appears throughout the auditorium (including the balcony), making the experience more immersive than it otherwise would be. It’s always fun to suddenly have a performer a few feet away from you.

The music and the choreography are outstanding in this production, and the stage movement - especially of the giraffes - is so thoughtful. The giraffes are my favorite, and I have great respect for the actors playing the giraffes.

I do have two favorite actors in this production, and they are Nick Cordileone as Timon and Danny Grumich as Pumbaa. Not only does their acting stand out, but their puppeteering - especially Cordileone’s - is so excellent. Perhaps Timon’s puppet just allows for more physical acting, and Cordileone nails it. As does Grumich with the comedy.

This production features a very large cast, which is listed here: https://lionking.com/north-american-tour-cast/

As you might expect, the creative team behind this production is also very large and is listed here: https://lionking.com/creative-team/

Even if you do not consider yourself a big fan of The Lion King, this show is one to experience just to be immersed in the costumes, puppetry, music, and choreography. This show can be overwhelming (in a good way) with all of the beautiful magic happening in front you, and the production is so polished. This production quality sets the bar. The absolutely huge cast consuming the auditorium in the opening scene is one of the best orchestrated scenes I have ever experienced, and I cannot imagine just how much work went into creating, fine tuning, and rehearsing that opening scene.

In case it is not clear, do not be late to this show (or to any show). There is a 10 minute door hold if you are not in your seat in time, and you will then miss this incredible opening scene. This show is frequently sold out, so crowds and wait times to get in are longer than you may be used to.

Seattle Theatre Group is also presenting a Sensory-Friendly production on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Details: Sensory-Friendly production.