With a giant roar: After 26 years, 'Lion King' continues to create magic on the Popejoy stage

Oct. 20—Be prepared.

It's a simple statement.

Yet, it warns of the many emotions that will be felt during the more than two-hour performance of Disney's "The Lion King."

The Tony Award-winning musical is making itself at home at Popejoy Hall through Nov. 5.

Twenty-six years since its debut, the tour is a well-oiled machine, with a cast and crew that is chock-full of talent.

To be part of the tour equals excellence — as every note was hit and every stage cue met.

The beloved musical starts off with a visual treat with Rafiki, played by Mukelisiwe Goba, singing "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba."

With that number, the scene is set and the audience is ready to hear the journey of "The Lion King."

The musical on Broadway tells the story of the young lion prince, Simba, who is destined to be king.

Simba's evil uncle, Scar, had other plans and plots to usurp the throne and kill Simba and his family.

Scar succeeds in killing Simba's father, Mufasa and encourages Simba to flee rather than face blame for the death of his father.

Simba is saved from Scar's clutches, who plans to have him killed, and grows up in exile.

As the years pass, Simba and his friends, Timon and Pumbaa, live in the jungle and forget about their past.

One day, Simba's friend, Nala, arrives and tells him that Scar is abusing the animals in the kingdom.

Simba is advised by his good friend, Rafiki, to go back to the Pride Lands and confront Scar. Simba and his friends return and overthrow Scar, and Simba takes his rightful place as king.

Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 28 global productions have been seen by over 112 million people.

The production has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years, with four of those running 20 or more years.

It has also been performed over its lifetime in nine different languages — English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese.

"The Lion King" won six 1998 Tony Awards.

The cast in the national tour which is in Albuquerque continues the legacy.

Goba and the ensemble start the musical off with a bang.

With each passing minute, each performer brings the character to life in a powerful way.

Gerald Ramsey, who plays Mufasa, is not only a leader of the cast. He owns each scene with his strength and ability to be the teacher within the story.

Peter Hargrave, plays Scar, who is also Mufasa's younger sibling — and was in line to be king until Simba was born.

Hargrave is so good at being evil down to his maniacal laugh.

"One of the things that is exciting is that Scar is duplicitous,' Hargrave says. "He's sneaky and serving time. He's also wonderfully weird. The challenge is finding out how to get the audience with you and then take the story where they want to go. It's about exceeding expectations."

Ramsey has his own challenges with Mufasa.

"He has doubts, flaws and is questioning everything," Ramsey says. "Mufasa's raising his son with feelings that he's also battling. I love delving into this character and we get a chance to see a more well-rounded character."

To watch this production in person, is an amazing opportunity.

There's not one weak link within the cast or the crew.

The songs — "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "Hakuna Matata" and "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" — are iconic and will drum up nostalgic memories.

While Scar, Mufasa, Rafiki and young Simba and young Nala begin the journey, there's the comic relief of Zazu, played by Drew Hirshfield.

Hirshfield steals the scenes with Zazu's quick-witted responses.

Staying on the comedy side are the hyenas — Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, played by Martina Sykes, Forest VanDyke and Robbie Swift — who also add a ton of laughs.

Though the scenes are dark, their comedy routine could be watched for hours as each one played off each other seamlessly.

It's a special opportunity that the musical is in Albuquerque through Nov. 5, and is one not to be missed.

Be prepared — to be amazed by the world-class set and costume design.

Be prepared — to laugh.

Be prepared — to cry.

Be prepared — to create memories.

Be prepared — to see a top-notch cast and crew who are having fun.