Monday, August 2, 2010

My African Safari in Canada

Friday evening I went on an African Safari.

Well, okay, not really. In truth, my family and I went to see Broadway’s travelling Lion King but I have to say that the play was so good I lost track of the actors, of the play, of everything. (Which is saying something because I was having a minor asthma attack the whole time because of extraneous variables)

I just lived it.

The scenery was so vivid even the grass and bushes were alive. Each set piece was injected with so much personality they became characters in their own right. The costumes transcended the boundaries of theatre, every twitch an actor made moved their costumes – they became cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, birds and lions. There were no people.

The play was phenomenal. 

I could ramble on and on about each miniscule why, my every impression but I’ll save you that verbal vomit and say only this: every writer can learn something from this play.

With even the set pieces being alive there is a lot going on. That being said, the extra bits simply liven the main plot, add depth and intrigue. You don’t get distracted or forget the purpose.

The audience forgets about the strings and mechanics of the gracefully moving costumes. The actors play their roles so well that they seem real, like you can reach out and stroke the fur of a hyena.

Occasionally actors peppered themselves throughout the audience; you feel the heat, the swish of feathers over your head. The story surrounds you, in every possible way. You don’t forget things like this.

The experience is effortless. There is no awkward language or movement, no stumbling blocks, just pure, evocative, experience.

My advice?

If you have the chance, go see Lion King. I promise you will thoroughly enjoy the experience.

If teachers could make learning this fun, kids would hate summer. 


PS. A lot of you asked so I thought I'd clarify this post about the near drowning is real. It isn't a story, this really happened last weekend. It was terrifying and awful but things are starting to make sense again and, in case you're wondering, my mom is bruised and battered but okay and keeps getting better. 


Word Of The Day: Amaranthine - Eternal

8 comments:

  1. Great post! I've been dying to see this for years, especially since it's one of the best kids' movies ever freakin' made.

    You're right--writers learn from tons of different things. It doesn't matter what it is, along as you take something valuable from the experience :)

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  2. ...the Disney flick is one of my faves, so I'm sure the play is outta this world:)

    (as long as Rafiki's in it. Love that monkey)

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  3. I've always wanted to see The Lion King on Broadway! It sounds so awesome. I'll definitely have to see this before it goes off stage.

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  4. I had the chance to see Wicked, and it blew my mind, so I can imagine :) sounds wonderful!!

    <3 Kelsey Leigh

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful play and a great lesson for us all.

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  6. I first saw the Lion King on Broadway over 10 years ago. And I'm not ashamed to say it--I cried during the opening sequence. Not because of the story, but because of how incredibly creative and beautiful the concept-to-stage happened.
    It made me realize that humans are capable of such amazing artistry.

    Remember the ribbons-as-tears scene? Amazing.

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  7. If I ever get the chance to see Lion King, I will go just because you've made it sound so wonderful :-)

    And I reread your post about your mom. Wow, I'm sorry I only saw it as a well-written story. This time I read it in shock of what your family actually went through. Thankful to know everything turned out okay--but that must have been much, much too scarey...

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  8. Oh my gosh I loved your review of this!!!! You made me really want to see it now!!! I'm just as jealous about this as I am you getting to see Harry Potter in a MATTER OF DAYS!!!!

    YOU AND RAMONA MUST BE FREAKING OUT!

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