@veer pindoria they’ve always had Broadway Rafiki be played by a woman because there are so few strong female characters. Just Nala and Sarabi. I honestly hope Rafiki is always played by a woman.
It transcends all human existence and through their spirit, hope and essence, it makes us all feel the reality of our ties to each other. A land of hope, a land of belonging. Truly….may THE LION KING reign in B’way forever. ❤️
“They don’t know why but they cry”… I’ve watched this 4 times in person. I’ve cried every single time. And I really don’t know why. It’s so incredibly beautiful.
As someone who also saw this in person, you cry because you're feeling an overwhelming influx of emotions in a small amount of time, and with the visual of what's happening around you, your brain can't keep up fast enough to regulate your emotions. That's what it means when they say "Listen with your heart".
I’ve been twice and it’s tHe most amazing experience. She speaks about suspending disbelief. I was so sad when I had to resume reality. This show is beyond great
That director has seen this music be performed a thousand times but still gets moved as the first time, that's the true tell of a great song and a great cast, and of a dedicated director who really loves the material
The only two directors I’ve seen be this kinda way with their productions have been this woman and Lin Manuel. The passion those two individuals have for their work in Broadway is second to none!
My psychologist says that this song in a strange way makes us turn back to our original motherland, that's a connection with mother nature and I feel it so deeply
You should witness during cultural and tribe praises. This is just a tip of ice. Africans sing from the soul. You can shade tears even if you don't understand the language
I love Africa and being African, the lead’s voice is authentically African, you can feel her struggle, her pride, her hope… as Africans we live on hope that tomorrow will be even better than today, and we are immensely proud of who we are…
@@msgirly6827 it is the truth when the world started it was one big mass of land or continent after it broke apart it was proven africa is the most diverse continent in the world there are many ethnic group than any where and they did dna test to prove that african woman have a gene noone else has it is called the eve gene meaning she can produce any ethnic child she could any way the truth hurts and offends
I just started crying like a newborn from the moment that lovely lady opened her mouth and let her vocals make art. I’ll never forget the amazing, unforgettable experience I’d watching The Lion King on Broadway
I'm in my office crying. You can feel the power of the moment as most of these actors were laid off and didn't know if there were ever going to come back to work. This was a song of resilience and determination. I am so EXCITED Broadway is back!!!! We missed you!
Julie Taymor, the director, is 100% correct. The audience cries during this opening number. I've seen it three times, and each time bawled like a baby. It is the beauty and wonderment of being surrounded by this magical thing happening all around you. God, just try to imagine being in the same rehearsal room with these incredible performers and these amazing voices. All were chosen out of thousands who auditioned. The emotion is palatable and awe inspiring. Live theatre. Nothing like it in the world. Nothing.
Saw Lion King in NYC in 2012, then again in 2022, when it came to North Carolina. This time with my then 3 year old granddaughter. I cried at the beginning and the end. I truly understood the meaning of the circle of life. She loved it.
They described it perfectly... that is the power of Theater. As well as damn good music, being sung by passionate singers. That's a combo that can bridge any divide, heal any wounds, and invite EVERYONE to come together in peace and love
"There is far too much to take in here..." truer words have never been spoken. This shows the absolute power of Music -- and making it with other people!
You KNOW a song is powerful when hearing it performed out of costume, mostly acapella, and in an informal setting still makes the tears run down your cheeks despite your grin.
It's something I look out for. You have the "Seven Little Numbers" performance, the Circle of Life in the airplane. This. It's the people coming together to create something that transcends cultures and the individual.
Made all the more emotional knowing Tshidi Manye has played the role on-and-off for over 14 years now. What a treasure and gift to and from this show and theatre
There's something about this song, and film that feels home. It's like coming back to your own roots, celebrating faith, life, and culture. Hope to see this live in the Philippines soon. Plus, Julie Taymor (the director) is so passionate. What a pleasure to work with people like her.
The Director wanted the audience to feel and cry with the song performance but she got caught in the middle and got emotional because this is overwhelming...!
Tshidi Manye is an international treasure. I want her to win a Nobel Prize for theatre, and if that doesn't exist, it should. And the emotion in this cast...I can't even. I'm weeping right along with them.
Can anyone agree that this song here is nothing but pure beauty and empowerment? Cause listening to it gives me a surge of energy and actually made me shed a tear due to how amazing and powerful this song is?
As a musician who is still working with an organization trying to figure out how we're going to proceed this year and yes we're proceeding with concerts this brought tears to my eyes. What Joy you all brought to everyone around you and through this video! Good luck fellow musicians! Stay healthy strong and keep singing !
thank you! we all know that it must have taken you and insane amount of effort to get through this time! And we all are in dept to every musician who made it through this time and is still trying to put a smile of someone else´s face!
Always Lovin’ Life… I’m in the same position and this also brought tears to my eyes! I had the pleasure of playing the show in Raleigh, NC back in 2007. And though I’ve played with some of the greatest orchestras and opera companies in the world, and played back up with many very famous singers, Lion King was one of my most favorite gigs of all. The talent and passion on stage simply could not be matched. The hours were long and intense but it was six weeks of pure bliss. Here’s moving forward to a new season of concerts!!!!
Couldn’t hold back tears on this. Tshidi, everyone.. you can almost feel how they feel. Absolutely moving and amazing. Y’all are awesome ❤️🙌🏼🙌🏼 thank you all, in each company of the show that has ever come and gone, is, and will come, for bringing this show to life. Stay strong!🙌🏼
As a singer I cannot describe the raw emotion here. There is something so incredibly profound about having been away from your fellows for a lengthy period of time, especially unexpectedly, and to come together again, to start with what is already such a powerful peace, and to just... RELEASE all those emotions in your voice together. Ugly tears shed from watching this.
If I’m bawling my eyes as the pasta overflows on the stove listening to this heavenly company, what’s opening night going to be like?!? You can literally feel every emotion as you watch each person sing and look at each other. Amazingly beautiful!! Welcome back 💗💗💗💗
March 2020 in NYC, everything was shut, Broadway closed, only the wailing of ambulances in silence. I was so sick with COVID I couldn't walk and thought I might die. Oddly I lamented to my husband that I regretted being too cheap to see The Lion King. It is strange the things you regret when you might die. But, I did make it (with Long COVID), and on our next anniversary, he surprised me with tickets. As the lights dimmed, the theatre was electric. The performance was so beautiful the joy was palpable. Thank you for this gift ❤️
What a glorious way for theater to return!! The music, the rhythms, the singing, - the show is pure genius from beginning to end. Can't wait to see it again.
I remember when the musical was brand new, about to premiere in Germany, they had the cast at a German TV Show performing this song. I saw this on live TV and I bawled my eyes out because it was so beautiful. And I cry every time I hear it. I will one day be able to see this in person and I will cherish every second of it.
She wasn’t lying about the crying, I went to Broadway this year 2022 for my birthday because COVID busted my 50th on March 16th, 3 days before my birthday when the world went on lockdown. I cried at the opening act, it was all that and more, it gave me life. I could hear the ancestors. If they ever come to Toronto, I would see it again.
Julie Taymor at 0:15: "You see the people, and they don't know why but they cry". We know perfectly! It's the privilege of feeling the power of a masterpiece of this magnitude.
The emotions she feels to sing this again after Covid, I can't imagine. Thankfully, just like riding a bike, you never forget. God bless them all! Director was right, I cry every time and I don't know why
There’s just something about the POWER of this performance. When you see it live for the first time, you cry just like the director said. And you don’t know why. Maybe it’s because it’s taking you back to a memory. Maybe it’s taking you back to your childhood. Either way you don’t leave this show without crying. *saw I made this comment a year ago and wanted to add something* When I made this comment, I was remembering when I was VERY fortunate to have seen this show not once but TWICE. Once with my grandparents on my dads side and the other time was with my grandparents on my moms side and my cousin. The first time I’ve EVER seen the show, I bawled like a baby when Circle Of Life started. I A FULL GROWN ADULT cried at a broadway show. It was THAT powerful. I’ll never forget the memory of my grandma audibly gasping when she saw the puppets come through the aisles of the theater we were in. For the rest of my life I’ll NEVER forget my grandma’s reaction to when the elephants come down the aisles. It’s a show that leaves you speechless that’s for sure and I’d willingly DEFINITELY go see it a third time
Saw it in NYC with my daughter, ten years ago. There were no words to describe it. Loved it! It’s coming to North Carolina next month. We will be going, bringing her daughter. Can’t wait. Edit. We saw it this afternoon. My three year old granddaughter sat through the whole performance on my lap. She clapped and laughed. She knew the characters. It was so emotional, I cried at the end, it truly is a circle of life.
Fragments of this song have a more bitterweet meaning today than it's ever had. Added to the emotion of getting to sing it again along with the ensemble. Bravo!
The magic happens when we take our hopes and dreams and let them cy out to our hearts, words, and actions. This is not just a beautiful song from an amazing musical. This is our decision to forge our future, despite the challenges ahead.
We are officially in the longest lockdown state in the world .. Melbourne, the arts capital of Australia, this has brought me so many mixed emotions. So sad because we have missed out on so many wonderful shows and experiences that the Arts brings to us all, and I’m also thankful that i feel so deeply what this song truly means in this ever changing pandemic world we live in today. Thank you for posting this💟
Thank you for allowing us to film this amazing expereince. It goes to the top of our list of projects without question. NYC is officially open again!!!!!
I guess because of the meds I’m on, I cannot cry, but not only did I get chills all over…I cried & still crying. I love u wonderful woman. Thank God for ur blessed voice!!!🙌🏼❤
This has never NOT moved me to tears, I discovered this cartoon movie when I was in 6th grade, 1995 and it changed my life, the entire movie does it to me, but this song is everything
I get goosebumps from the beginning to the end. All those voices in such poetic polyphony take my heart to my mouth and I feel like singing with them to celebrate the beauty of art and life.
That was an emotional roller coaster. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Waiting for them just to burst through. And when they did it was so refreshing and so emotional. I loved it. I would love to listen to it in person.
I will never forget seeing this for the first time. I could not help but cry. It was overwhelming and comforting at the same time. It still amazes me that someone had the spark of inspiration to create this.
Had the chance to be a front of house manager in baltimore when show was here in baltimore for a month in early 2000s. Between the proud beauty of the African language. The beauty of the opening it really doea make you burst with pride. Tears and emotion
As a lifelong musician, there are a few facial expressions right at the beginning of the song that are the best feelings ever: 0:39 “I GET PAID TO DO THIS. THIS IS MY FREAKING JOB.” 0:42 “BEST. JOB. EVER.” 0:47 “Oh man I just gave myself the chills. This is so awesome” lol 1:20 “Dang Director lady, you jinxed me. What’s even happening? Whatever. To the rafters it is!” I’m sure there are lots more, but it’s hard to cry and type at the same time 😭😭 And if this is the vibe at a rehearsal, I can’t even imagine how it felt opening night post-lockdown.
I'm getting emotional watching all these videos of shows rehearsing again. Makes me so happy to see theater start up again, we have all missed it so much.
MY experience with this song has no words, but feelings. Everytime I hear it singed by a choir, by someone who cares and believe on every single words he or she is singing, I start crying, remembering when I was a child, remembering how much has been hard growing and learning how to "walk" through this life. Now I am still a child, but I am different, I can "walk", I can do it totally alone, but I can "run" and I can take the "fly" surrounded by people, surrounded by a choir that flies with me.
Julie is so right at the beginning. Being there was an experience ill never forget. As soon as the first sound came out of Tshidi I instantly started crying. The power, beauty, and the simple fact that I was there witnessing it in real life had me so overwhelmed with emotion. I hope one day im lucky enough to go back to NYC and see it again.
Julie Taymor is absolutely right. This show is a retelling of a movie. Should you see it? Yes you should! The opening of this show is astoundingly beautiful.
I saw this amazing production 3 times in the early 2000's with the original cast. This woman as Rafiki all 3 times. She's amazing and so is the rest of the amazing cast. I STILL cry when I hear this song as it takes me back to the small theaters in Los Angeles where I saw it once and San Francisco where I saw it twice. The original Simba was drop dead gorgeous too! If Julie Taymor can still cry...you know you've got a life time hit!! Congrats to this AMAZING cast!!
Lion King is up there with my all time favorite three. One of the best scores ever… I took my daughter, and we still have the excellent quality t-shirts we bought. What a treat to see the power the actress puts into singing Circle of Love. The song will survive forever, and be sung by many artists just like Somewhere Over the Rainbow… it’s the countdown to opening night again. Good luck to all…
I’m not crying , you’re not crying, we’re all crying. SO many beautifully breathtaking voices! To be able to just meet any of you, oh my heavens, just to sing by all of your sides would be an honour ! Thank you for sharing your talents ♥️
Those performers have been waiting for over a year to be able to get back to work. They had that built up for a long time, for them to have that outlet and just sing has to be an amazing feeling for them. Broadway brings in so many jobs and money for a lot of people, hopefully things can return to some sense of normalcy for them soon, and they can get back to entertaining fans who miss them. Great job to the cast, we’ll see you soon.
The woman's voice is so beautiful I put her on every day and listen to that beautiful voice if she's in the play or Justin rehearsal voice is always there and the singers are so beautiful too thank you for posting this beautiful video God be with each and everyone of you
The most amazing show that you will ever see in your life. Thank you Julie, every member, Disney, animals , Elton, Lebo, Hans, Refi. You set a new level of excellence.
In a world that seems so dark lately, this shows what light and beauty humans can bring as well. You can see her face light up as she sings @0:39 She's so happy to be back and sad for the ones the couldn't and didn't make it.
Honestly this is so powerful and beautiful. The Lion King was my first piece of professional theatre I ever saw and that song has stayed with me for years. I saw it originally in Boston on tour and a few years later again on Broadway. You are all phenomenal 💖💖💖
Praise God for music like this. We have all been starving for the last year and a half for music that feeds our souls. I saw this show in Seattle many years ago and I cried from the first beat of the drum until the last note sang in the sky. I LOVE it. Thank you for your passion.
In 10 days we will see this magical lovely beautiful inspirational cast in Denver!! All time favorite so excited!! Thank you everyone for making this possible again! Love to all!!
Please, Please, please come back to Atlanta, GA I missed this Broadway the last 2 times you all came. I won't miss it the next time. I cry everytime I heard you all sing
I have never witnessed such beautiful singing like this before, I saw them performing on the View Show today, I been trying to search them always! Many blessings to all of you 🙏🏽 ✨ 💛
I was supposed to see this show again this past summer in Los Angeles, so watching this just makes me miss it a little more. Please...come back to L.A.
This performance already always moves me. But THIS particular performance just brought me to tears. Knowing the impact that COVID has had on the industry, and now to be able to perform again, it is so evident in their faces and every note they sing.
