Your opinion if you are a musical theater person

[Anonymous]

I am not, and know nothing about it. Would you say that a touring production of Lion King would be as good/similar production and talent as a Broadway one? Wondering if I should take dd locally or wait until we go to NYC, which may happen this summer but not sure yet. I would wait if it is not going to be "as good".

[Anonymous]

The touring companies of Broadway shows are often the same actors. They tour, the do broadway in a different show, they tour again for another show. Just be sure you're not seeing a local or regional production.
I'd say a touring show is a great introduction to musicals!

[Anonymous]

The ambience is different in NYC. But if the theater near you is pretty good and big then go the cheaper route.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The touring companies of Broadway shows are often the same actors. They tour, the do broadway in a different show, they tour again for another show. Just be sure you're not seeing a local or regional production.
I'd say a touring show is a great introduction to musicals!

But the decors, dancing, all details are the same? It is the touring one and not regional or local.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The touring companies of Broadway shows are often the same actors. They tour, the do broadway in a different show, they tour again for another show. Just be sure you're not seeing a local or regional production.
I'd say a touring show is a great introduction to musicals!

But the decors, dancing, all details are the same? It is the touring one and not regional or local.

Usually. Depends how big the theatre you’re going to is. I saw the touring company of Six and the Broadway version and think they were exactly the same. I’ve seen the touring company of many shows and never felt short changed. Lion King in NYC is a HUGE theatre and they go down the aisles and have some big props, but I’m pretty sure they pull they off in most cities.

[Anonymous]

I would be happy seeing the touring company. There are so many ridiculously talented performers out there!

[Anonymous]

I would think the talent - especially for a show that has been open so long - is equivalent. I do know that Lion King is a tougher one to tour. The sets and costumers are complex and require a large backstage space. But I doubt they would be in a theater that couldn’t accommodate that at least satisfactorily.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the tour. Usually the performers are all great, but some tours have weaker production values (like that infamous Shrek tour). Lion King on tour may not have all of the puppets that the Broadway version has but it should have the vast majority.

[Anonymous]

I’d rather see a tour than no theatre at all. If you’re going to NY absolutely plan to see something there - it’s a whole vibe. But it’s worth seeing touring shows locally.

[Anonymous]

I saw Lion King on Broadway in NYC for the first time two years ago. That was a very special treat. I waited to do it in NYC which I only visit every decade or so, but after I went, I think it would have been just as successful on the road in a medium-size hall with good sightlines.

I am a theater fan. I think because the show's Julie Taymor design is so iconic and most of the design is costume-based that it could all be duplicated and taken on the road rather easily. Yes, the elephant costumes are large. But I would assume most theaters have big enough main levels to fit them down the aisles.

As I recall, the backdrops and set pieces are pretty simple (no houses, shops, people clutter). Just stuff like Pride Rock.

I think you'll like it so much you'd be fine with seeing it again if you get to NYC later (and maybe could try for a discount ticket).

I think it would be ideal to sit on the main level on an aisle about midway back in the orchestra. My ticket was for Row D in NYC, smack in the middle, and although theaters differ, there was one point where the lion cubs were lying on their backs on the ground talking and I actually couldn't see them because I was too close to the stage.

According to the second link below, the main difference involves how Pride Rock appears onstage.

Enjoy. I've seen a lot of shows and waited decades to see that one. It was great!

https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/zfr55t/just_saw_lion_king_in_chicago_started_crying/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Broadway/comments/1cva5ki/lion_king_broadway_or_tour/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would think the talent - especially for a show that has been open so long - is equivalent. I do know that Lion King is a tougher one to tour. The sets and costumers are complex and require a large backstage space. But I doubt they would be in a theater that couldn’t accommodate that at least satisfactorily.

I looked and the stage is slightly bigger than the NYC one, and the theater itself much larger (2,600ish seats at mine v. 1700 at the NYC one) so it seems like stage space should not be an issue?

[Anonymous]

How old is your DD?

Why not see a touring production of one show and another show in NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think the talent - especially for a show that has been open so long - is equivalent. I do know that Lion King is a tougher one to tour. The sets and costumers are complex and require a large backstage space. But I doubt they would be in a theater that couldn’t accommodate that at least satisfactorily.

I looked and the stage is slightly bigger than the NYC one, and the theater itself much larger (2,600ish seats at mine v. 1700 at the NYC one) so it seems like stage space should not be an issue?

Different PP. I don't think it will be. I posted some Reddit threads and there are more you can check if you want.

I just really recommend you be on the main level because the animals come down the aisle. I usually buy cheap tickets and mezzanine but this is one of the only ones you really should sit up close and on the aisle for.

[Anonymous]

It's an incredible show. I suspect the touring version is fine -- I don't think they'd want to damage their brand with a second-rate show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would think the talent - especially for a show that has been open so long - is equivalent. I do know that Lion King is a tougher one to tour. The sets and costumers are complex and require a large backstage space. But I doubt they would be in a theater that couldn’t accommodate that at least satisfactorily.

I looked and the stage is slightly bigger than the NYC one, and the theater itself much larger (2,600ish seats at mine v. 1700 at the NYC one) so it seems like stage space should not be an issue?

Different PP. I don't think it will be. I posted some Reddit threads and there are more you can check if you want.

I just really recommend you be on the main level because the animals come down the aisle. I usually buy cheap tickets and mezzanine but this is one of the only ones you really should sit up close and on the aisle for.

I had to buy mezzanine ones because ds and dh wanted to come too and other tickets would have brought it up to $800+...which we really can't spend for just one event. But apparently the tickets I bought have a very good view, and they are center stage.