I think everyone who has ever been into live theatre, professionally or not, knows the magic of that one moment when the choir first comes together and all the harmonies just hit. And so we all understand the magic of that moment when you haven't been allowed to experience it for 16 months and then you return with an iconic song like this ... absolute chills.
Agree I did my senior musical and we got to perform at the cappies at the Kennedy center and it’s always been my dream to be on stage abd I swear I blacked out it happens so fast and the addernaline after and then winning it was the best moment ! Definitely have to agree!!
This video depicts something so special and can probably represent how most Broadway actors feel at this time. For over a year their livelihood and craft was stolen from them. I can just imagine how it must feel to be one of those people who finally gets to reunite with their cast and prepare to perform again. Of course this particular piece of music is so majestic that you can’t listen without chills.
If you’ve never been able to see this live, it is so powerful, so moving and so indescribable. With them all in costume, moving through the audience on all floor levels signing. The call and response across the theater, yet still fills every ounce of the theater with sound. Its so immersive, if listening to it here didn’t make you choke up you will live. Ive seen it 6 times now. Will ALWAYS go see it when its in town. If you haven’t…. Trust me, Go!
I can’t imagine how it must have felt to be in the room that day. Hands down one of my favorite numbers ever, whether it’s this or the movie version. I can’t listen to it without breaking down
The small intimate room..filled to the brim with the cast…I can only imagine what that room sounded like …I mean the intangible emotive quality that one receives when being present to live music. I don’t know if I’m able to get it fully across …this is just effing amazing!!! 😂😂😂
Why do I sob when this starts? I was able to take my granddaughter to see the show 3 years ago and this is just as beautiful now as it was then. Thank you.
Now I understand one of the reasons why I love musical theater. The people performing actually love what they do and are giving praise every time they sing.💜❤️💜❤️💜❤️
Just amazing. South Africans are vocally gifted. Their country should invest more in theatre because they know how to tell a story. Who remembers Sarafina?
We as South Africans we are known for our Singing we are probably the best Country in Africa that can bring the message and full emotion and meaning to a song. This record will live for many years to come after we have departed this Beautiful land we call Earth.
That chanting from one of the singers just wants us to appreciate life and not to take things for granted. Our spiritual journey is always upon us. Let deal with our spiritual path in a positive way.
This performance shows you why The Lion King is the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time it’s just perfection I’ve seen it twice and I absolutely loved it
Her voice ringing out so clearly and beautifully, even through her tears...the clear love and support from the cast...the talent and skill that seems to have taken us back in time. I could not hold back my emotions. We go to see the Lion King every time it's in Indianapolis, no matter the cast (or cost). It's intimate for me, personal even. This is such a special version of circle of life. Not to mention the words of the song and the greater meaning! Thank you for sharing and your commentary was, once again, so valuable. And spot on, in my opinion. 👏👏🙌🙌
I feel this video so much, and sobbed while watching it. I am a choir nerd through and through, and it has been heartbreaking to not have that community of song. Videos like this remind me that there is hope, and that things are getting better.
I'm always touched by this song. Not only that it is my favorite piece when I was a member of our university choir but also because, modern ethnic songs brings out the unique beauty of african culture, even the language and message used in adlibs adds to the already amazing lyrics, I have not even mentioned the technical and musicality present on every performers
I've seen this in London and it gets me in the emotions every single time. I am in tears just with circle of life and it just keeps going through the whole show.
So touching!! I really hope The Lion King returns to Australia one day. In Sydney where I am we’ve had theatre back on and off since November last year. Post COVID starting we’ve had Frozen and Hamilton which both are FANTASTIC!!
I love the interplay with the two male singers and the lead.... it's just so amazing. It's been so very long since i've seen lion king in person and i cant wait until it tours again. will be a must see for certain
Marc, this is a powerful segment and your reaction to it only enhances it...for me. Truth be told, i could sense exactly what your comments would be through your emotions. WOW! I loved your introduction and equally appreciated that you let the entire video play before commenting. I had seen THE LION KING twice on Broadway and I am always moved to tears and your video had the same impact. Rafiki and the chorus were engaged (vocally, spiritually) in what seemed to be a dialogue where there was a deep connection with not only the story of The Lion King but the story/journey/survival of the cast finally being able to be reunited again. It was raw, genuine and beautiful. Marc, I hope you're fine with me continuing to request a video of yourself. It's just that I am a major fan of yours. In the meantime, would you consider doing a piece on "Anthem" from the musical CHESS? In addition to "If I Can't Love Her" "Anthem" is another favorite male solo of mine. Thank you, Marc!
You know I LIVE for your comments Roberto. The connection they all have in that room is something we'll never understand, but can truly appreciate, I agree. 🙏🙌
I have never been to a musical but I can admit because of the videos you post. I have fallen in love with it and want to see them all. I hope I get to see all of them soon. Love your vids so much and I LOVE the emotions you let out
best play I've ever seen. I cried also...very powerful when your surrounded by this beautiful music. We sat in 3rd row from the stage. Took my 8 yr old neice to see this in 2002 and she still talks about it!!! to the singers, all I can say is beautiful!!!
Every time I see this video I cry like a baby , I grow up to the Lion King movie , one of my favorite movies , even this song is my favorite... I even decided to play this song , and pick up my puppy at the time she was just little baby act like she was the little lion on the mountain , in the movie , held her just like that
Love that you shared this, aside from the extremely talented artists, it’s speaks volumes. I have just been to see my first West End show for what feels like eternity. Pure emotional joy from the audience and the cast! It is fantastic to have artists back performing. Welcome back, we missed you so very much ..
I'm way late too to this, but that was utterly magical. Just... wow. The lead lady, she collapses with joy at one point, it's beautiful. - hugely powerful. HUGELY powerful. And bless you too, I hope you're doing OK now my friend. :)
Literally ugly crying in my kitchen. I’m a theatre professional in nyc and the joy, release, and emotion behind this is beyond powerful. I’m envious of the first audience that will sit in the midst of the Circle of Life for their first performance back. It will be overwhelming. 💖
I specifically hadn't watched the video because I was not ready for the emotional part of it. It's a beautiful thing, though. Anyone bothered by your being moved (or not moved themselves) can suck it, lol. Theater is back and that's a wonderful thing.
This was my first live musical....I was maybe 6 or 7 when I first saw it with my grandparents. It's been about 20 years and I still cry every time the animals come down the aisles during this number.
If you have not seen Lion King live and in person, I encourage you to do so! I fell in love with it from the beginning on all levels! The talent is unbelievable! The costumes are like nothing ever before! The designer was genius! The night of the awards that year I was a ball of mush as I watched that performance and with every award theater got that night. On another note, there is a clip on UTube of a group of cast members who are all on the same car together and burst into song on the subway! I was so jealous of the other rider! Go watch.
I honestly have no idea how anyone could watch this without crying. I started welling up from the first bar. I was lucky to have this sent to me a few mins after it was posted by What's on Stage and and I immediately started sharing as soon as I had listened. It made it straight onto my music motivation playlist. It's always been an emotive song, and a cast with incredible comradare. But the joy every single person shows throughout this. Speechless.
This was my first theater experience at the Pantages and I loved it so much. I cried and laughed and I can't wait to go back to Pantages to see more shows. It's been a long time ago when I sow the lion king. (Years)
It was like looking in a mirror 🥲 I have never been able to hear this song without crying 😭 And when I saw it on stage for the first time, I was balling my eyes out, I actually hulked 😭😅 The just is some real magic sorounding this song 🔮💖
I am only a watcher not a performer of live theater and I wept when I first saw this. I can only imagine what it is like for actual performers. For two years to not have that feeling, that joy and finally get it back. It is a lot
Three years on from the start of the pandemic and this video still makes me cry so much every time I see it. The first show I went to see when everything 'opened up' again, was Les Mis. We've seen it dozens of times, but I took my mum, and as soon as the orchestra started playing we both instantly stared balling our eyes out because we just couldn't believe that we were in a theatre again a whole year since the pandemic had begun! So many emotions. I saw The Lion King again shortly after, and had the same reaction all over again!
This moment brings me back to the chills I felt during the live rehearsal performance of "This Is Me" for Greatest Showman. I was literally sitting in my local library crying like my heart was torn in half. My mom surprised me with 7th row, aisle seats for the Lion King on Broadway and I cried myself to sleep. Since I was 5yrs old, it will forever be my ALL TIME favorite film, movie adaptation, Broadway show, soundtrack, life-lesson story, spiritual connection. 23yrs, It's still everything. Don't come for me, it's just fact. Thnx Mark for honoring this cast and this moment. My gawd I got snot bubbles n all! 🦁👑👏🏽
Thanks for your wonderful review of such emotional and inspiring content of as you rightly said iconic song. I was rightly emotional. Couldn’t stop crying. What a blessing. Thanks so much for sharing.
This song. This show. This video. What you offer, Marc. Is Community. Is Humanity. Yes, I'm speaking/typing chopped up. It's what it is. This is symbolic of what we've gone through together, and what we will go back to, and what we can do when we are together. Thank you for sharing, Marc. And especially to the cast of The Lion King. And all of our professional performers!
So much was stripped from my ancestors when they were brought here. They could not take my voice, and my ear. I'm not angry at the colonizers if that time, they were ignorant to the precious people and cultures they had, imagine only seeing a slave in such a diverse and skilled people. I'm learning where I come from, who I am, through DNA, culture, and song. ✊🏾
There are a handful of shows that can make me cry in the first number, and Lion King is one of them. It's pure theatre magic. The first time I saw it live, I was sobbing, and this, as one of those performing arts people whose job vanished over a weekend, this video hit me right in ALL the feels. (Come From Away is the most recent show I've seen that makes me cry within the first number, but that's for different reasons)
@@MarcDanielPatrick Some of the classics like Phantom, Les Mis, Wicked and so on ☺️ I like that you comment on the acting as well as the singing, and that’s why I’d rather like your reactions to stage productions 🙏
The Lion King was my first ever Broadway show when I was 4 years old. This show is so meaningful to me since it REALLY got me into musical theatre, so watching this video made me SUPER emotional and excited to see the theatre community coming together in person again FINALLY
Hi. Do you have a video reaction on When You Believe (Prince of Egypt), the LIVE performance? If there’s none, I’d love to see how you react to it sir. 😉
This song gets me every single solitary time in all versions. When I saw the original Lion King in the movie theaters I cried and every time I’ve seen it on Broadway (5 times and counting) I sit in awe of the cast and I’m covered in goosebumps. I'm certain by this point we've all see the viral video of the NYC cast on the subway performing the rendition of "Circle of Life" I’ve told my sons a zillions times (because I say it every time we watch it) I would be an absolute puddle of emotion and a sobbing mess had I been lucky enough to be on that train that day. Live theater is so so important but musical theater…it’s critical. This song, these actors and their passion for what they are doing will never ever not move me. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I had the same reaction watching this. I recently was in the audience of Festival of The Lion King at Disney World and wept through it, and was so thrilled recognizing returning cast members and not even being able to imagine what they have gone through not being able to share their art, their magic for oh so long.
There's very few people who can really play Rafiki, just to hit that first note is incredible! and the emotion behind it is just stunning! I'm crying too! The whole cast is awesome! The pure weight of history, of passion, of culture behind this song and the voices, its so emotive! It evokes an overwhelming feeling in me every time I hear it performed.
Not a long ass video...when compared to the 16 months these artists have been waiting to come back to doing what they love. Thank you for sharing this "coming together". Seeing the emotion of "being back" throughout the cast was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming.
Watched the lion King with my son the other day (the original) and I literally sobbed the entire intro. There is just something about that song. Its so powerful!
I've never watched a musical on my life, in front of me, but, "The Lion King" it's my favorite ever, and, when I saw this rehearsal, I cried together with the singers. This is so bealtiful, I really love this.
There’s a better one with the original director Julie Tamor with the cast table read coming back from COVID! Tears and chills, from start to end of the video!
i was just trying to enjoy the singing and my (white) husband goes "the white guy in the middle of the shot sitting in the bluish shirt really threw me off...what's that all about" 🤦🏿♀️
