LAPA Loves the Lion King!

On January 19, twenty-two students and ten adult chaperones from the Lanaʻi Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) traveled to Oʻahu to see “The Lion King” musical.    It was a full day packed with action: members arrived at the Lanai Airport at 6:15 A.M., and didn’t return until 7:45 P.M. that night. 

After landing in Honolulu, LAPA was bussed to the Honolulu Zoo, and got a special tour of the African Savanna from expert guide Chaz Lee.  Everyone had a tasty lunch at the Kapahulu Market (zoo snack bar), and got in a quick trip to the Keiki petting zoo before leaving.  To prepare the students and generate some excitement, on the night before the trip, LAPA held a movie night sleepover in Sandy Patterson’s classroom where the movie “The Lion King” was shown.  It worked—by the time we pulled up to the Blaisdell Concert Hall, the kids couldn’t wait to get off the bus!

We arrived early enough to buy refreshments and check out the souvenirs. Students were told by their chaperones that there would be a surprise immediately after the show concluded, so they would have to buy their souvenirs early.  Lines were long, and over 2,000 people crowded the theatre—not something we’re used to seeing on Lanai! Luckily, students were in groups of only 4-5, with at least one adult, so everyone stayed together and got to their seats on time. 

“The Lion King” is the world’s number one musical for a reason—it is spectacular!  The opening song, “The Circle of Life,” features the entire cast: They enter as different animals in beautiful, creative costumes from all around the audience, processing down the aisles, singing back and forth on the balcony, and joining together on stage, creating rich harmonies that actually make you believe you are in Africa.  Several parent chaperones were moved to tears (myself included, even though I’ve seen the show before), and it’s definitely a chicken-skin moment!   The live show expands on the movie and is about an hour longer, adding new scenes and new songs, but when the drum booms after the final number, you are sad to see it end.  The sold-out crowd gave the actors a well-deserved standing ovation. The touring cast was excellent: standout performances included Andrew Gorell as Zazu and Jelani Remy as Simba.  Jordan A. Hall as young Simba and Nya Cymone Carter as young Nala were great in their roles as well. 

LAPA members met outside the theater right after the show, where their surprise was waiting: Four different cast members from the show to meet us and give the kids a backstage tour!  Andrew Gorell (Zazu), L. Steven (Mufasa), Selena Moshell (ensemble), and Thembelihle Cele (ensemble) made what was already a special day into an unforgettable experience.  The kids got to see all of the costumes, stand on the stage and see how the some of the technical elements work, and even got to try on some of the masks the actors wear.

With Timon backstage!

With L. Steven (Mufasa) on the Lion King stage!

  Following the tour, the LAPA kids put on a special performance of a song from the show, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”, for our guides and other members of the cast and crew, and blew their distinguished audience away.   I had spoken earlier to Andrew Gorell (Zazu) and Selena Moshell (ensemble) about possibly spending a day on Lanai and doing a workshop with us, and the performance of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” only heightened their enthusiasm to visit us.  On the flight back to Lanai, Sandy Patterson (our co-founder) was raving about our experience to Island Treasures co-owner, Gail Allen.  In an extremely generous gesture, Gail and her husband, Jason, offered to sponsor both cast members’ plane tickets!  The details haven’t been arranged yet, but on an upcoming Monday (their day off) between now and March 9, Andrew and Selena will be flying to Lanai to work with LAPA!

performing "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" for the cast members

What a performance it was!

LAPA with Andrew Gorell (Zazu) and Selena Moshell (ensemble)

Beretta (our Zazu) with Andrew Gorell (the real Zazu)

L. Steven (Mufasa) visiting us during our pizza dinner after the show

A huge mahalo to Island Air for giving LAPA a 50% discount on airfares for twenty people, and a big thank you to the Lanai community and parents for supporting all of our fundraising efforts!   

 

Thanks Island Air!

“The Lion King” is at the Blaisdell Concert Hall until March 9—it’s not too late to get tickets, and it’s worth every dollar spent to get there! 

LAPA outside Blaisdell Concert Hall after watching "The Lion King"

LAPA is currently fundraising for costumes and production costs for their next show, “101 Dalmatians Kids.”  If you would like to make a donation, please make all checks out to “LAPA” and send to P.O. Box 631124.  Please call Matt Glickstein at 808-221-8926 for more information.

To see more pictures of our trip, please check out this slideshow video: