[♪ stirring fanfare playing, "When You Wish Upon a Star"]
Downloaded from YTS.MX
Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX
[♪ wondrous music playing]
[audience cheering]
♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
[choir] ♪ Sithi uhm ingonyama ♪
[♪ singing in Zulu]
♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
-[♪ sings in Zulu] -[choir] ♪ Sithi uhm ingonyama ♪
[♪ sings in Zulu]
♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
-[♪ sings in Zulu] -[choir] ♪ Sithi uhm ingonyama ♪
♪ Ingonyama ♪
-♪ Ingonyama ♪ -[♪ sings in Zulu]
[choir] ♪ Ingonyama ♪
-[vocalist] ♪ Siyo Nqoba ♪ -[choir] ♪Ingonyama ♪
[audience cheering]
[Elton in English] In the early '90s, Disney had an idea
to make a film called King of the Jungle.
-[♪ wondrous music playing] -[Elton] After years
of drawing and pitches,
a stampede scene involving two lions, Mufasa and Simba,
caught everyone's attention.
From that, in 1994, Disney released The Lion King.
[audience cheering]
[Elton] I cannot believe it's been 30 years.
I remember when I got the phone call
from Tim Rice to write songs from the original film,
I had no idea it would turn into
this massive global phenomenon.
The film and the music were a huge success
and went on to win two Academy Awards.
I remember writing some of the songs
for that movie very, very clearly.
The one that I remember most, of course, was "Hakuna Matata,"
which I had to start off singing...
♪ If I was a young warthog ♪
And I thought, "Has my career come to this?
I'm singing about being a warthog."
[audience laughing]
[Elton] It was hilarious. Anyway...
In 1997, The Lion King musical
took stages around the world by storm
and became a Tony and Grammy award-winning production.
Since its premiere, it has played in over 100 cities
on almost every continent.
Helping The Lion King franchise become the biggest entertainment property
in the whole wide world. Wow.
It's led to producing two sequels, a prequel, and two television series
to follow new stories of our favorite characters.
And tonight, for the first time ever,
we're reuniting the voices of our favorite characters
from all over the globe,
from the film to the musical on the same stage,
to celebrate the unforgettable music
of The Lion King.
Welcome to the 30th anniversary celebration of The Lion King
at the Hollywood Bowl.
-Yes! -[audience roaring]
[audience cheering]
[♪ music fades]
♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
-♪ Sithi uhm ingonyama ♪ -[♪ mellow choral music playing]
♪ Ingonyama ♪
♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
[♪ sings in Zulu]
♪ Oh, sithi uhm ingonyama ♪
♪ Ingonyama nengw' enamabala ♪
-[audience roaring] -[♪ choir singing in Zulu]
[♪ mellow choral music continues]
♪ From the day we arrive on the planet ♪
♪ And blinking, step into the sun ♪
♪ There is more to see than can ever be seen ♪
♪ More to do than can ever be done ♪
♪ There is far too much to take in here ♪
♪ More to find than can ever be found ♪
♪ But with the sun rolling high ♪
♪ Through the sapphire sky ♪
♪ Keeps great and small on the endless round ♪
♪ It's the circle of life ♪
♪ And it moves us all ♪
♪ Through despair and hope ♪
♪ Through faith and love ♪
♪ Till we find our place ♪
♪ On the path unwinding ♪
♪ In the circle ♪
♪ The circle of life ♪
-[♪ pan flute melody plays] -[audience cheering]
[♪ choir singing in Zulu]
[♪ vocalizes]
[♪ choir continues singing in Zulu]
[♪ Jennifer vocalizing]
♪ Oh ♪
-♪ It's the circle of life ♪ -[♪ music swells]
♪ And it moves us all ♪
♪ Through despair and hope ♪
♪ Through faith and love ♪
♪ Till we find our place ♪
♪ On the path unwinding ♪
♪ In the circle ♪
♪ The circle of life ♪
-[♪ music stops] -[audience roars]
[audience cheering]
[announcer] We're going to be treating you to some spectacular musical performances
celebrating Disney's 30-year history of The Lion King.
Right up next is the amazing Lebo M
with "He Lives in You."
[audience cheering]
[♪ intriguing instrumental music playing]
[♪ choir singing in Xhosa]
-♪ Night ♪ -[♪ mellow choral music playing]
♪ And the spirit of life ♪
-♪ Calling ♪ -[♪ choir vocalizing]
-♪ Mamela ♪ -[♪ choir vocalizing]
♪ And a voice ♪
♪ With the fear of a child ♪
-♪ Answers ♪ -[♪ choir vocalizing]
-♪ Oh, mamela ♪ -[♪ choir vocalizing]
♪ Ubukhosi bo khokho ♪
♪ We ndodana ye sizwe sonke ♪
♪ Wait ♪
♪ There's no mountain too great ♪
♪ Hear these words and have faith ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
♪ Have faith ♪
[♪ choir singing in Xhosa]
♪ Mamela ♪
♪ Mamela, oh ♪
♪ He lives in you ♪
♪ He lives in me ♪
♪ He watches over ♪
[inaudible]
♪ Everything we see ♪
♪ Into the water ♪
♪ Into the truth ♪
-♪ In your reflection ♪ -[♪ music stops]
-♪ He lives in you ♪ -[♪ music resumes]
[♪ sings in Xhosa]
♪ He lives in you ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
-[♪ sings in Xhosa] -[♪ music turns lively]
[♪ continues singing in Xhosa]
-♪ Uphila kuwe ♪ -[♪ choir singing in Xhosa]
♪ Uphila nakum ♪
♪ Uhlal'ejongile ♪
♪ Yonk'into esiyibonayo ♪
♪ Nansenemanzini, oh ♪
♪ Nasenyanisweni ♪
♪ Nase mfanekisweni wakho ♪
♪ Uphila kuwe ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
♪ He lives in you ♪
[♪ sings in Xhosa]
♪ He lives in me ♪
[♪ sings in Xhosa]
♪ He watches over ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
♪ He watches over everything we see ♪
[♪ sings in Xhosa]
[♪ continues singing in Xhosa]
-[♪ continues singing in Xhosa] -[♪ music stops]
♪ He lives in you ♪
[♪ music resumes, crescendos]
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering]
What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?
[♪ drums beating]
-What's going on? -[crew members laugh]
People really love The Lion King.
Wow!
-They have great casts. -Mind blown.
[as Pumbaa] Mr. Pig!
-[laughs] -It's going to be a hit.
[crew member] This is The Lion King production.
-Nathan Lane as Timon, take one. -[♪ quirky music playing]
Oh, you meant-- Oh.
I'm, like, standing here. You're waiting for me?
[laughs]
I believe we were the first two actors
Disney allowed to record together.
[as Pumbaa] I gravel at your feet.
[as Timon] It's not "gravel." It's "grovel."
And don't. He's not the king.
He would ad-lib, and I'd ad-lib, and we fed off each other.
Ernie, he does a very high, raspy sound.
[as Pumbaa] He's so cute and all alone. Can we keep him?
And I just made Timon a Brooklyn Jewish meerkat.
[as Timon] He's a lion. He eats guys like us.
But he's so little.
[Ernie] The voice I chose,
you can only do about an hour before you get hurt.
And he was just doing New York, you know?
Who's the brains in this outfit?
-Uh... -My point exactly.
Good choice. [laughs]
[crew member 1] Mark it.
-[crew member 2] We got it. -[crew member 1] Here we go.
[♪ vocalizes]
[gasps]
[crew member 3] Now, you don't need to push.
[Jason] My name is Jason Weaver,
and I'm the original singing voice of young Simba.
♪ Everybody look left... ♪
[Jason] This is the first time
that Ernie and Nathan and I have had the opportunity
to actually sing these songs together.
When I did my parts,
I was just in there, you know, solo dolo.
We just know the voice. We never met him.
[chuckles]
It's just amazing. Amazing opportunity.
[♪ tender music playing]
Holy cow.
-Ah. -Ernie. Oh, my God.
You don't look a day over "30 years later."
[laughs]
How are you?
What is it? I smell a meerkat.
[laughs]
-Hello, dear. How are you? -[Ernie] Hello. [cackles]
-[Jason] This is crazy. -Long time, no see.
-[Nathan] We never met? -We never met.
-This is our first time meeting. -Oh, my god. No.
-It was wonderful. -I'm grateful.
Well, it was like a good therapy session,
-wasn't it? -[crew members laugh]
[♪ upbeat choral music playing]
Rehearsal, I mean, it was a nervous feeling for me.
Haven't done this in a while.
Let's see if we can walk and talk.
[laughs]
[Nathan] Ernie and I, we've had a long history together,
so it's lovely to be working together again.
I thought we'd never sing this song together again.
You feel the Disney magic all through it, man,
and it's just amazing.
-[crew members applauding] -[audience cheering]
[announcer] Performing together on stage for the first time ever,
please welcome the original singing voices
of Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba:
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, and Jason Weaver.
[audience roars]
[as Timon] ♪ Hakuna Matata! ♪
[♪ jaunty instrumental music playing]
♪ What a wonderful phrase! ♪
[as Pumbaa] ♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
♪ Ain't no passing craze ♪
♪ It means no worries for the rest of your days ♪
♪ It's our problem-free philosophy ♪
-♪ Hakuna Matata ♪ -[audience cheering]
[as Simba] Hakuna Matata?
-Yeah, that's our motto. -What's a motto?
Nothin'! What's a motto with you?
[cackles]
[Ernie] Kid, kid, kid.
These two words will solve all your problems.
That's right. Take Pumbaa, for example.
Why...
♪ When he was a young warthog ♪
♪ When I was a young warthog! ♪
[audience cheering]
-Very nice. -Thanks!
[audience laughing]
♪ He found his aroma lacked a certain appeal ♪
♪ He could clear the savanna after every meal ♪
♪ I'm a sensitive soul though I seem thick-skinned ♪
♪ And it hurt that my friends never stood downwind ♪
-♪ And oh, the shame! ♪ -♪ He was ashamed! ♪
♪ Thought of changin' my name! ♪
♪ Oh, what's in a name? ♪
-♪ And I got downhearted ♪ -♪ How did you feel? ♪
♪ Every time that I farted ♪
[audience cheering]
-Wow. -[audience laughing]
I've waited 30 years to hear you say that.
[audience cheering, applauding]
I waited 30 years to let it out!
[audience laughing]
But not in front of the kids!
Sorry.
-♪ Hakuna Matata ♪ -[♪ jaunty instrumental music playing]
♪ What a wonderful phrase ♪
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
♪ Ain't no passing craze ♪
♪ It means no worries for the rest of your days ♪
Yeah, sing it, kid!
♪ It's our problem-free philosophy ♪
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
Welcome to our humble home.
[Jason] Wait, you live here?
[Nathan] We live wherever we want.
[Ernie] Home is where your rump rests.
-[Nathan] Right. -[Ernie] I'm starving.
-[Nathan] Me, too. -[Jason] This is beautiful.
Oh, I'm so hungry, I could eat a whole zebra.
Uh, we're fresh out of zebra.
-Well, any antelope? -Nuh-uh.
-Hippos? -Oy, carnivores.
Listen, kid,
if you're gonna live with us, you gotta eat like us.
And this looks like a good place to rustle up some grub.
-[Jason] Ugh, what's that? -A grub. What's it look like?
Ew, gross.
Tastes like chicken.
[Ernie] Slimy, yet satisfying.
[Nathan] These are rare delicacies. Mm.
Piquant, with a very pleasant crunch.
Ah, you'll learn to love 'em.
[Nathan] I'm telling you, kid, this is the great life.
No rules, no responsibilities.
Ooh! The little cream-filled kind.
And better, no worries.
So what do you say, kid? Want to go vegetarian?
Well, oh, well.
Hakuna Matata.
[groans]
-Yeah, slimy, yet satisfying. -That's it!
[laughs]
Oh, the fun never stops on the Serengeti. Whoo!
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
-♪ Hakuna Matata ♪ -[♪ music swells]
[Jason] Everybody! Sing along.
You know the words to this. Come on!
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
♪ It means no worries for the rest of your days ♪
♪ It's our problem-free philosophy ♪
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
[Jason] Hey!
♪ Hakuna Matata ♪
[Jason] Hey!
[sustains note] ♪ Haku... ♪
Hey! Let's go!
Oh, sing it, fellas. Let's go.
-♪ Na, Matata! ♪ -[♪ vocalizes]
♪ You say, "hakuna," I say, "matata" ♪
♪ I say, "potato," you say, "patata" ♪
-♪ Hakuna ♪ -♪ Matata ♪
-♪ Potato ♪ -♪ Broccoli ♪
♪ Let's call the whole thing off ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
-Yeah! -Yeah!
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering]
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella.
Jason Weaver.
[audience cheering, applauding]
Love you guys.
[♪ wondrous choral music playing]
[Thomas] November of 1990, we started on the movie,
and I was the first producer on it.
And by the summer of 1994, Lion King is a giant hit.
Why aren't we doing Lion King on stage?
[Nathan] When they told me they were doing a stage version,
I was like,
"Well, how are they going to do a wildebeest stampede?"
It was unbelievable.
[Thomas] Animation and theater
are, in many ways, arts of the invisible.
The power of The Lion King is in that humanity.
The irony is, it's a story with no people in it.
And I always say, all these people made this.
[Jennifer] The stage production of Lion King
-is an experience like no other. -[♪ music concludes]
You can enter, and you can rise here.
Yeah, that would be beautiful.
So other people are turning, and you're entering.
♪ Oh, when they take me so very far away ♪
♪ I will... ♪
In the movie, Nala's there, and she has a significant role.
But I think Julie Taymor really wanted to puff Nala out.
[♪ dramatic music playing]
[Heather] Because when you think about it,
Nala's the Lion Queen behind the Lion King.
We spent a lot of time looking at animals.
And I remember Julie Taymor saying,
"I want you to go and just study documentaries.
Just see how they move."
Just trying to figure out, well, how would Nala walk?
And what would she do with her hands?
And how does her head move?
There's the human, and there's the animal.
And that we are not trying
to completely hide the human in the animal.
You're the moving piece of the mask.
How to make that translate,
and how to make an audience feel like
they can look beyond the human that's on stage...
That was a big task.
In the beginning, you're just like, "I cannot get this."
But then, within three or four weeks of doing it,
-it was seamless. -[♪ music concludes]
[audience cheering]
[announcer] Our next performer was the original Nala
from the Broadway production of The Lion King.
Please welcome Heather Headley.
[audience cheering. applauding]
[♪ soft instrumental music playing]
-♪ Fatshe leso ♪ -[♪ choir singing in Zulu]
♪ Lea halalela ♪
♪ Fatshe leso ♪
♪ Lea halalela ♪
-♪ Shadowland ♪ -[♪ mellow instrumental music playing]
♪ The leaves have fallen ♪
♪ This shadowed land ♪
♪ This was our home ♪
♪ The river's dry ♪
♪ The ground has broken ♪
♪ So I must go ♪
♪ Now I must go ♪
-[♪ music turns melodic] -♪ And where the journey may lead me ♪
♪ Let your prayers be my guide ♪
♪ I cannot stay here ♪
♪ My family ♪
♪ But I'll remember my pride ♪
-♪ I have no choice ♪ -♪ Pride Lands, my land ♪
-♪ I will find my way ♪ -♪ Tear-stained ♪
-♪ Lea halalela ♪ -♪ Dry land ♪
♪ Take this ♪
[Heather] ♪ Take this prayer ♪
♪ What lies out there? ♪
♪ Lea halalela ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
-[♪ music swells] -[audience cheering]
♪ And where the journey may lead me ♪
♪ Let your prayers be my guide ♪
♪ Though it may take me so far away ♪
♪ I'll remember my pride ♪
♪ Giza buyabo, giza buyabo ♪
♪ I will return, I will return ♪
♪ Beso bo ♪
♪ Giza buyabo ♪
♪ I will return ♪
♪ Giza buyabo ♪
-♪ Oh ♪ -[♪ music calms]
♪ Beso bo ♪
♪ My people ♪
♪ Beso bo ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[audience continues cheering]
[crickets chirping rhythmically]
♪ Aweem away, aweem away Aweem away, aweem away ♪
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
[♪ choir singing]
[announcer] Please welcome to the stage the voice of Timon
from the 2019 movie and Mufasa movie, Billy Eichner.
[audience cheering]
Good evening, Hollywood Bowl!
[♪ audience roars]
They told me to come out here and make sure
everyone is having a good time.
Is everyone having a good time?
[audience cheering]
I want to give a big shout-out
to all the children who are here tonight.
I do wanna bring somebody out.
Please welcome back my friend, the legend, Nathan Lane.
[audience cheering]
Oh. What a night, what a crowd.
Hi, fellas. See you later at the after party.
Ladies and gentlemen,
how about a big hand for Sarah Hicks
and this magnificent orchestra...
-[Billy] Yes! Sarah Hicks! -[audience cheering]
[Nathan] ...and our chorus of amazing singers.
And of course, the lovely and talented Billy Eichner,
who has done a fantastic job
of bringing Timon to a whole new generation.
-Billy Eichner. -Thank you.
-It is an honor, my friend. -[audience cheering]
All right. Well, are you ready for the song?
Now's the big moment. We're all gonna sing along.
I know people get shy. Don't be shy.
Seven-year-old children and 45-year-old Disney fanatics,
we're counting on you.
I know you're here.
We need you tonight.
All right. Here we go. I'm going to count us in.
A-one and a-two and a-one, two, three, four.
-♪ In the jungle ♪ -[♪ jaunty choral music playing]
♪ The mighty jungle ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
♪ In the jungle ♪
♪ The mighty jungle ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
♪ Near the village ♪
♪ The peaceful village ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
♪ In Larchmont Village Yes, Larchmont Village ♪
♪ Coyotes are inside ♪
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
♪ In the jungle ♪
♪ The mighty jungle ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
Everybody!
♪ In the jungle ♪
♪ The mighty jungle ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
This is high. Do your best.
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
I feel like Neil Diamond.
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
One more verse.
♪ In the village ♪
♪ The peaceful village ♪
♪ The lion sleeps tonight ♪
Louder!
♪ In Larchmont Village Yes, Larchmont Village ♪
♪ Coyotes are inside ♪
Let's go!
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
Sing it, down the octave if you have to, sir.
♪ Wee heeheehee Weeoh aweem away ♪
-[♪ music stops] -♪ The lion sleeps tonight! ♪
-[♪ musical flourish] -[audience cheering]
-Nathan Lane! -Billy Eichner!
Thank you so much.
[♪ contemplative music playing]
[♪ music turns thrilling]
Lion King was a huge part of my childhood.
I was about 11 or 12 years old when Lion King came out.
It definitely hit close to home for me.
I sang "Circle of Life"
on the Disney Wonder Cruise ship.
I feel like that is when my career started.
And then fast forward to American Idol.
[♪ theme music playing]
[Jennifer] And there I am singing "Circle of Life"
with Elton John himself.
♪ The circle of life... ♪
[Jennifer] Unreal.
[Elton] Jennifer Hudson blew me away. She sent chills up my spine.
It was my favorite performance out of the whole lot.
♪ Through despair and hope ♪
♪ Through faith and love ♪
If that's not a full circle, I don't know what is, okay?
[♪ wondrous music playing]
[Jennifer] To be able to sing here at the Hollywood Bowl
on the anniversary of Lion King is beyond a dream.
I have to put it outside of my mind
just to get through the song. Okay? Okay.
-[chuckles] -[♪ music fades]
[audience cheering]
-[as Timon] ♪ I can see what's happening ♪ -[♪ soft choral music playing]
♪ And they don't have a clue ♪
♪ They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line ♪
♪ Our trio's down to two ♪
♪ The sweet caress of twilight ♪
♪ There's magic everywhere ♪
♪ And with all this romantic atmosphere ♪
♪ Disaster's in the air ♪
Please welcome Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner
Jennifer Hudson!
[audience roaring]
[♪ tender instrumental music playing]
♪ There's a calm surrender to the rush of day ♪
♪ When the heat of a rolling wind ♪
♪ Can be turned away ♪
♪ An enchanted moment ♪
♪ And it sees me through ♪
♪ It's enough for this restless warrior ♪
♪ Just to be with you ♪
♪ Can you feel the love tonight? ♪
[choir] ♪ Tonight ♪
♪ It is where we are ♪
♪ It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer ♪
♪ That we've got this far ♪
♪ Can you feel the love tonight? ♪
[choir] ♪ Tonight ♪
♪ How it's laid to rest ♪
♪ It's enough to make kings and vagabonds ♪
♪ Believe the very best ♪
[♪ vocalizes]
[♪ continues vocalizing]
♪ There's a time for everyone if they only learn ♪
♪ That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn ♪
♪ There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors ♪
♪ When the heart of this star-crossed voyager ♪
-♪ Beats in time with yours ♪ -[♪ music swells]
♪ Can you feel the love tonight? ♪
♪ Tonight ♪
♪ It is where we are ♪
♪ It's enough for this wide-eyed wanderer ♪
♪ That we've got this far ♪
♪ Can you feel the love tonight? ♪
♪ Tonight ♪
♪ How it's laid to rest ♪
♪ It's enough to make kings and vagabonds ♪
♪ Believe the very best ♪
♪ It's enough to make kings and vagabonds ♪
♪ Believe the very ♪
♪ Best ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience roaring]
Lion King was kind of an experiment,
but it's good for us as artists to take chances
and do things that are not proven or not obvious.
[♪ ominous music playing]
[Jeremy] I just thought,
"An animated picture. I've never done that."
[as Scar] There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun.
Scar is a mix of many people, many things.
Jeremy Irons is an actor
who can make anything that he reads sound interesting.
Alas, poor wildebeest. I chewed him well.
[crew members laughing]
[Andreas] There's certain features, his eyes,
his mouth configurations,
that I thought I might be able to use.
Oh, goody.
So, I kind of based my design of Scar on his look.
[yelps]
[Jeremy] When I saw the film, I couldn't believe it
because James Earl Jones,
he was a rippling lion with this fantastic mane,
and me, Scar, thin with this manky old tail
and this terrible mane.
Surely that can't be copied on me, can it?
But, yeah, it was.
-Oh, I feel simply awful. -[claws screeching]
-[♪ quirky music playing] -I'm absolutely scared out of my pants.
No, I'm not.
Fortunately for the audience, I don't have to dance.
Bad back, you know.
I've just got to sing and remember the words.
And that isn't easy, you know,
because I recorded this in-studio 30 years ago.
I will deal whatever happens.
If they throw cabbages at me or whatever,
it's fine.
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ ominous choral music playing]
[as Scar] ♪ I never thought hyenas essential ♪
♪ They're crude and unspeakably plain ♪
♪ But maybe they've a glimmer of potential ♪
♪ If allied to my vision and brain ♪
[♪ music turns lively]
♪ I know that your powers of retention ♪
♪ Are as wet as a warthog's backside ♪
♪ But thick as you are ♪
♪ Pay attention ♪
♪ My words are a matter of pride ♪
♪ It's clear from your vacant expressions ♪
♪ The lights are not all on upstairs ♪
♪ But we're talking kings and successions ♪
♪ Even you can't be caught unawares ♪
♪ So prepare for a chance of a lifetime ♪
♪ Be prepared for sensational news ♪
♪ A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer ♪
[as Shenzi] ♪ And where do we feature? ♪
♪ Just listen to teacher ♪
♪ I know it sounds sordid but you'll be rewarded ♪
♪ When at last I am given my dues ♪
♪ And injustice deliciously squared ♪
♪ Be prepared! ♪
[choir as hyenas] ♪ It's great that we'll soon be connected ♪
♪ With a king who'll be all-time adored ♪
♪ Of course, quid pro quo You're expected ♪
♪ To take certain duties on board ♪
♪ The future is littered with prizes ♪
♪ And though I'm the main addressee ♪
♪ The point that I must emphasize is ♪
♪ You won't get a sniff without me! ♪
♪ So, prepare for the coup of the century ♪
♪ Be prepared for the murkiest scam ♪
[choir] ♪ Scam, scam, scam ♪
♪ Meticulous planning Tenacity spanning ♪
♪ Decades of denial is simply why I'll be king ♪
♪ Undisputed ♪
♪ Respected, saluted ♪
♪ And seen for the wonder I am ♪
♪ Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared ♪
♪ Be prepared! ♪
♪ I said my teeth and ambitions are bared ♪
♪ Be prepared! ♪
-[growls] -[♪ music concludes]
[audience cheering, applauding]
[inaudible]
[♪ wondrous music playing]
Lebo was from South Africa, from Soweto,
and Hans Zimmer brought him into the studio to record.
I slept in the streets in Los Angeles
for the first two years when I came here.
I was called in to do a demo.
The first take I did
is still the take that's still there today,
the iconic introduction of The Lion King.
[Lebo] ♪ Nants ingonyama bagithi baba ♪
If the Lion King has been this ever-evolving equation,
Lebo is the constant.
[♪ choir singing in African language]
Lebo's the only guy that really worked on everything.
He contributed to arranging and bringing in the choruses,
and he brings it to the Broadway stage show.
[♪ choir singing in African language]
[Lebo] Lion King is the longest
successful Broadway African content in history.
[♪ choir singing in African language]
[Lebo] It's very emotional for me.
[clears throat]
[♪ choir singing in African language]
[Ntomb'khona] The music of South Africa that Lebo did
is so rich and organic.
[♪ choir singing in African language]
It's mind-blowing.
[♪ contemplative music playing]
[Lebo] First two, three years, I used to drive a cab here.
I used to literally park my taxi and look at this venue
and dream that one day, I'm gonna play this venue.
So, I have no words to explain how and what that means to me.
-[♪ music fades] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ Lebo scatting]
[♪ singing in Zulu]
[♪ choir singing in Zulu]
[♪ singing in Zulu]
[♪ choir singing in Zulu]
[♪ all singing in Zulu]
[♪ all continue singing in Zulu]
-[choir cheering] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[announcer in English] Please welcome to the stage
the original singing voice of Simba, Jason Weaver.
[audience cheering]
Yo, yo, yo, yo! What's up, everybody?
So, listen, I was 12 years old
when I recorded the singing voice of young Simba
for the 1994 production.
And this movie literally changed my life, okay?
And since then, The Lion King has touched so many generations
and families across the globe.
And I never would have imagined people would still be listening
and singing along to the music 30 years later.
I'm so honored to be here tonight
to introduce our next performer,
who is making her Hollywood debut.
She's only ten years old,
and she's here to perform "I Just Can't Wait To Be King."
Okay, please welcome the brilliant North West!
-[audience cheering] -Let's go!
[♪ lively choral music playing]
[as young Simba] ♪ I'm gonna be a mighty king ♪
♪ So enemies beware ♪
[as Zazu] ♪ Well, I've never seen a king of beasts ♪
-♪ With quite so little hair ♪ -[choir] ♪ Yeah! ♪
♪ I'm gonna be the main event like no king was before ♪
♪ I'm rushing up I'm looking down ♪
-♪ I'm working on my roar ♪ -[choir] ♪ Yeah! ♪
♪ Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing ♪
♪ Oh, I just can't wait to be king! ♪
[Drew] ♪ You have rather a long way to go, young master ♪
♪ If you think-- ♪
♪ No one's saying, "Do this" ♪
[Drew] ♪ Now, when I said that-- ♪
-♪ No one's saying, "Be there" ♪ -♪ What I meant was-- ♪
-♪ No one saying, "Stop that" ♪ -♪ What you don't realize is-- ♪
-♪ No one saying, "See here" ♪ -♪ Now, see here! ♪
♪ Free to run around all day ♪
♪ Well, that's definitely out-- ♪
♪ Free to do it all my way! ♪
♪ Well, I think it's time that you and I ♪
♪ Arranged a heart-to-heart ♪
♪ Kings don't need advice from little hornbills ♪
♪ For a start
♪ If this is where the monarchy is headed ♪
♪ Count me out ♪
♪ Out of service, out of Africa ♪
♪ I wouldn't hang about ♪
♪ This child is getting wildly out of wing ♪
♪ Oh, I just can't wait to be king! ♪
[♪ music quickens]
♪ Everybody look left ♪
♪ Everybody look right ♪
♪ Everywhere you look I'm… ♪
♪ Standing in the spotlight ♪
♪ Not yet! ♪
[choir as animals] ♪ Let every creature go for broke and sing ♪
♪ Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing ♪
♪ Oh, yeah! ♪
♪ It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling! ♪
♪ Oh, I just can't wait to be king! ♪
♪ Oh, I just can't wait ♪
♪ To be king! ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
As a special treat for you tonight,
performing a very special song from the new movie, Mufasa,
is the incredible Lebo M!
[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ Lebo singing in African language]
[♪ choir singing in African language]
[♪ all singing in African language]
[♪ mellow choral music playing]
[♪ all singing in African language]
[♪ all continue singing in African language]
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ wondrous music playing]
[Bradley] The Lion King has been a part of my life
for what feels like my entire life.
It was my first Broadway show,
and it was the very first time
I saw a cast of people that looked like me.
Then, it ended up being my first big leading principal role on Broadway,
and it changed my life.
I sing "Endless Night"
for all the great men that sang it before me
and the great men that will sing it after me.
The Lion King will live forever.
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering]
Please welcome to the stage, Bradley Gibson.
[audience cheering]
[♪ melodic choral music playing]
[♪ choir singing in African language]
♪ Where has the starlight gone? ♪
♪ Dark is the day ♪
♪ How can I find my way ♪
♪ Home? ♪
♪ Home is an empty dream ♪
♪ Lost to the night ♪
♪ Father ♪
♪ I feel so alone ♪
♪ You promised you'd be there ♪
♪ Whenever I needed you ♪
♪ Whenever I call your name ♪
♪ You're not anywhere ♪
♪ I'm trying to hold on ♪
♪ Just waiting to hear your voice ♪
♪ One word, just a word will do ♪
♪ To end this nightmare ♪
[♪ music swells]
♪ When will the dawning break? ♪
♪ Oh, endless night ♪
♪ Sleepless I dream ♪
♪ Of the day ♪
♪ When you were by my side ♪
♪ Guiding my path ♪
♪ Father ♪
♪ I can't find the way ♪
♪ You promised you'd be there whenever I needed you ♪
♪ Whenever I call your name you're not anywhere ♪
♪ I'm trying to hold on ♪
♪ Just waiting to hear your voice ♪
♪ One word, just a word will do ♪
♪ To end this nightmare ♪
[choir] ♪ I know that the night must end ♪
♪ And that the sun will rise and that the sun will rise ♪
♪ I know that the clouds must clear ♪
♪ And that the sun will shine and that the sun will shine ♪
♪ I know that the night must end ♪
♪ And that the sun will rise and that the sun will rise ♪
♪ I know that the clouds must clear ♪
♪ And that the sun will shine ♪
[choir] ♪ And that the sun will shine ♪
♪ I know ♪
♪ I know that the night must end ♪
♪ Yes, I know ♪
-♪ And that the sun will rise ♪ -♪ The sun will rise ♪
♪ And that the sun will rise ♪
-♪ Yes, I know ♪ -♪ I know that the clouds must clear ♪
♪ I know ♪
-♪ And that the sun will shine ♪ -♪ The clouds must clear ♪
♪ And that the sun will shine ♪
♪ I know that the night must end ♪
-♪ I know that the sun will rise ♪ -♪ And that the sun will rise ♪
-♪ And I'll hear your voice deep inside ♪
♪ I know that the night must end And that the sun will rise ♪
-♪ And that the sun will rise ♪ -♪ I know that the night must end ♪
♪ I know that the night must end ♪
♪ And that the clouds must clear ♪
♪ And that the sun will rise ♪
-♪ And that the sun will rise ♪ -♪ The sun, the sun will rise ♪
♪ I know that the clouds must clear ♪
-♪ The sun, the sun ♪ -♪ And that the sun will rise ♪
-♪ Will rise ♪ -♪ And that the sun will rise ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ cast members singing in Africa language]
♪ It's the circle of life ♪
[♪ singing in African language]
[♪ thrilling music playing]
[Lebo] It was only after touring, the stage production,
and going all over the world
that I started seeing and feeling the global impact
of the work we've done with The Lion King.
We're able to change lives
on and off stage with this project,
with the talent on stage.
[♪ music concludes]
[♪ dramatic string music playing]
[Lebo] In Taiwan, I came across Tehillah.
She brought something very organic, and I hired her.
My name is Tehillah Alphonso. I am 25 years old.
Having grown up in Nebraska,
and my parents are both Nigerian immigrants as well,
seeing The Lion King at 15 was the first time
I actually felt a connection to home
and felt a sense of belonging.
The impact is astounding.
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ soft instrumental music playing]
[Tehillah] I love Beyoncé. I love the song.
To be able to step in in this capacity
is so beyond special.
[Lebo] I'm excited for how the audience is gonna react to her,
'cause you could say she's an unknown,
but her voice is so spectacular and very unique.
I didn't see myself as being a solo artist in any capacity.
I work as a background singer.
[Lebo] Especially because of her tone and her range.
She's going to be a star.
[Tehillah] You know, this random girl from Omaha, Nebraska
is now singing at the Hollywood Bowl
for her favorite Disney movie of all time.
I couldn't have dreamt this in my wildest dreams.
[audience cheering]
[♪ melodic instrumental music playing]
♪ Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talking ♪
[♪ choir vocalizing]
♪ Yeah, yeah, for the very first time ♪
♪ With a melody that pulls you towards it ♪
♪ Paintin' pictures of paradise Sayin' ♪
-♪ Rise up ♪ -♪ Rise up ♪
♪ To the light in the ♪
-♪ Sky, yeah ♪ -♪ Sky, yeah ♪
♪ Let the light lift your ♪
-♪ Heart up ♪ -♪ Heart up ♪
♪ Burn your flame through the night, whoa ♪
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Watch the heavens open ♪
♪ Open ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Can you hear it callin'? ♪
♪ Callin' ♪
♪ Yeah! ♪
-[♪ music stops] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ music resumes]
♪ Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin' ♪
♪ Trying to keep your head up high ♪
♪ When you're trembling ♪
♪ That's when the magic happens ♪
♪ And the stars gather by your side ♪
♪ Sayin' ♪
♪ Rise up to the light in the sky, yeah ♪
♪ Let the light lift your heart up ♪
♪ Burn your flame through the night, yeah ♪
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Watch the heavens open ♪
♪ Open ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Can you hear it callin'? ♪
♪ Callin' ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Your destiny is coming close ♪
♪ So stand up and fight ♪
-[♪ music fades] -♪ So, go into that far-off land ♪
♪ And be one with the Great I Am ♪
♪ I am ♪
♪ A boy becomes a man ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪ -[♪ music swells]
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Watch the heavens open ♪
♪ Open ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Spirit ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Watch the heavens open ♪
♪ Open ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Your destiny is comin' close ♪
♪ So stand up and fight ♪
-[♪ music fades] -♪ So, go into that far-off land ♪
♪ And be one with the Great I Am ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience cheering, applauding]
[♪ stirring string music playing]
-[♪ music swells] -[♪ choir singing in African language]
[♪ choir continues singing in African language]
[♪ music turns thrilling]
[♪ choir continues singing in African language]
♪ It's the circle of life ♪
♪ And it moves us all ♪
♪ Through despair and hope ♪
♪ Through faith and love ♪
♪ Till we find our place ♪
♪ On the path unwinding ♪
♪ In the circle ♪
♪ The circle of life ♪
♪ Circle of ♪
♪ Life! ♪
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience roaring, applauding]
[♪ lively instrumental music playing]
[audience cheering]
[♪ music concludes]
[audience roaring]
[♪ thrilling instrumental medley playing]
[♪ music crescendos]
-[♪ music concludes] -[audience roaring, applauding]