But don’t anticipate hearing “The Morning Report.” The song was eliminated from both the Broadway and touring productions, along with making other musical adjustments, to save about eight production minutes. The show’s music, which includes “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “They Live in You,” ”Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?,” is memorable. With book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, the tale of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, the rulers of the Pride Area, their son, Simba, and the King’s wicked brother, Scar, the tale has been well told. The film, the stage show, which is still running on Broadway and has numerous touring versions, including one revisiting the State Theatre, a film remake that is presently in theaters, and products galore including DVDs, t-shirts, stuffed animals, and carry bags, have been produced and are on sale in the theater lobby. Since its 1994 creation, Walt Disney Studio’s animated feature film, The Lion King, has become a cottage industry. The story, visuals and musical components are so beautifully stitched together that one cannot conceive any aspect without the other. The integration of the technical elements of the touring production, as was true of the Broadway staging, is captivating. In other words, it should be the music and storyline that are most important. Obviously, the person who dreamt up that line hadn’t been exposed to Julie Traymor’s costumes and puppets as well as her directorial and creative approach to transforming The Lion King from an animated film to Broadway musical.

There is an old adage in the theater that an audience should not leave a musical theater production whistling sets and costumes.

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