The live recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton has been an unequivocal success for Disney+. On the weekend of its release, the streaming platform saw a 74 percent increase in app downloads, and social media has been buzzing with commentary. Disney+ subscribers and Hamilton fans are already clamoring for access to more live recordings of musicals. The Lion King's stage musical is a natural choice for the next big Disney+ release.
Based on the 1994 cartoon The Lion King, the musical version debuted in 1997 to great acclaim. Directed by Julie Taymor and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, it kept all the characters and emotional beats of the original film, but brought a bold creative vision to every aspect of the story. Fans and critics were spellbound by the intricate puppetry and gorgeous music. The Lion King walked away with the Tony for Best Musical, as well as six others.
It’s now been twenty-three years since the musical’s premiere, and the show is still beloved and going strong. The Lion King has been performed in thirteen different countries and viewed by 80 million people across the globe. Fans are still addicted to the lush soundtrack and some of the original songs from the musical have become karaoke faves. The Lion King's popularity and success also helped solidify The Walt Disney Company as a major player in the theatre world.
Part of what made The Lion King so successful was the way it took the already strong bones of the cartoon and infused them with layers of depth and creativity. Taymor understood that the plot was innately theatrical and leaned into that quality instead of attempting to disguise it, unlike the recent CGI remake of The Lion King, which revealed the dangers of too much realism. In the musical the actors are shown working the puppets, both infusing their characters with soul and acting as visual reminders of the power of storytelling.
The Lion King also has a big, risky soundtrack. Many artists were brought in to tweak and expand the original songs written by Elton John and Tim Rice. The contributions of composer Lebo M. were hugely impactful, weaving African themes, influences and languages into the material. The musical was also rounded out with original songs, including absolute bangers "Shadowlands," "Endless Night" and "He Lives in You."
Musical theatre requires a certain alchemy in order to excite its audiences, and The Lion King has always possessed that magic. Unfortunately, attending a Broadway show or performance by a touring company can be costly and out of reach for many families. Disney+ is a great venue for expanding access to the arts and allowing families to experience musical theatre together, and The Lion King is a great choice for the platform, not only because it’s a great show, but also because it’s highly rewatchable.
There are those who argue against making theatrical shows available on streaming platforms because they fear doing so will hurt ticket sales for the productions themselves. Whether or not this argument holds water, it doesn't apply to a show like The Lion King, which has already achieved the status of a classic musical. People don’t buy tickets to The Lion King merely to satisfy their curiosity or see the latest thing. They attend to experience the full breadth of the spectacle. Seeing a recorded version would likely stoke, rather than dampen, that impulse.
Part of what makes this country great is the creativity of its theatrical artists and performers. Theatre and the arts teach empathy and innovation, both of which are vital skills needed in the modern world. Introducing more kids to the magic of musical theatre, and maybe even jumpstarting a few Broadway obsessions, would be a powerful legacy for the Disney+ platform.