The Lion King in SIN City

Okay, I confess, when I was researching Asian destinations in travel sites like agoda.com and airasiatravel.com, it took me a moment to realize that SIN City was actually a code for Singapore. I know—funny, right? There I was ignoring it with the careful thought I should go look for a ‘wholesome’ destination. “Told you all along ‘twas what you were looking for,” the smartass in me could only roll my eyes.

What happens in SIN City anyway? It wasn’t the month of the ‘Big Singapore Sale’ so there’s no chance for greed. Singapore time and money (at current conversion rates: $1 = Php 35) are too precious for sloth. Local food? Nah, for me, too bland for gluttony. Wrath? Not a chance when the people are too disciplined and everything from transportation, the roads, to the placement of their buildings are too organized. You only have to stroll by the Marina Bay’s Esplanade and, as a Filipino, be amazed that somehow, it could be done after all. With that, yes, I admit a twinge of envy. What leadership, what hard work for their country! If only …

Just then, I was distracted by a roar on the streets. From one billboard to another: The Lion King has arrived! That is, Disney’s multi-award winning Landmark Musical has finally reached the shores of Singapore. As it happens, the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands is currently the proud new 'home' of the Lion King produced by Disney's Theatrical Productions and Base Entertainment. Performing in Southeast Asia for the first time after touring the world over 13 years, this musical has already won over 70 major international theatre awards. As a matter of pride and lust, this, finally, is one hot happening I’ve got to see.

The story is, of course, familiar to anyone who saw the 1994 classic Disney film. At its heart, The Lion King is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pride Lands. I’ve seen the film a handful of times (and loved it over and over) and yet, the story is even more powerful in theater – the death of Mufasa, the grief of Simba, the viciousness of Scar, the tug-of-war at Pride Rock—somehow it’s all magnified here.


Perhaps it was the moving live performances of its lead cast – Broadway veteran Jonathan Hume (Simba) and Puleng March (Nala). Or it could be the revolving stages, breathtaking lighting effects or simply the sheer size of the 1,600-seat Sands Theater, which easily filled up even 30 minutes before show time.

Whatever it is, Director Julie Taymore was able to blend African art and Broadway artistry brilliantly. From the first Zulu chant—that hair-tingling moment when Rafiki, the wise old baboon, opens the show chanting against the black and crimson African sunrise—all the way to the closing notes of the last song ‘Circle of Life’, I was on the edge of my seat, all the while thinking: O-M-G.

The theatre production was so wonderfully rich, it was hard to decide what to look at – the changing sets; the life-size animal puppets from elephants to rhinos, cheetahs and giraffes sauntering from the aisles to the stage; the twist of Balinese-inspired jungle dances; or the characters behind the elaborate masks and complicated costumes. All these to process while you vainly try to remember the haunting lyrics of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Academy Award-winning ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’.

Yeah, it definitely got me. For two whole hours, I was blissfully lost (and found) in the African Savannah.

As I watch it all in SIN City, it’s only quite natural that I pick up a few lessons from The Lion King as well: 1) That hyenas are really annoying; 2) That bad things do happen, and there’s nothing you can do about it (Timon to Simba); 3) Just because someone says it's your fault doesn't always mean it is (Scar); 4) Remember who you are and where you came from – at the bottom of it all, you are still The King’s child (Musafa); 5) When the burden’s too big, better let it go-- “Hakuna Matata” or No worries! (Timon and Pumbaa); 6) It’s always a worthwhile challenge to live and breathe and try not to eat each other; and 7) Finally, a lesson from the Baboon: we can cannot run from our past, instead we learn from our sins/mistakes and turn these into opportunities for discovery and growth.

After the show, going back to the concrete jungle of SIN City was a bit disconcerting. We washed it down with Tiger beers.


We went up to the intriguing Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark, a giant surfboard or a ship (depending on how you look at it) floating atop three hotel towers. At the viewing deck, 200 meters in the sky, I took a moment and looked down towards the bay, the towering structures and bright lights of SIN City. Yes, definitely, there’s pride there. But well-placed, if you ask me.

You see, Singapore is unique. From a humble beginning, this tiny island with no oil, not even resources as abundant as ours, has managed to emerge as an economic powerhouse, from third world to first world in a matter of decades. Well, no wonder it’s Asia’s very own Pride Rock, don’t you think?

According to the “Malay Annals”, once upon a time, a prince of the Sri Vijaya empire landed on the island and heard a strange beast roaring, which he later learned was a lion. He immediately named the island “Singapura”, a Sanskrit word for Lion (Singa) and the City (Pura). Centuries later, The Lion King lands in the city as well, still roaring with success. In the Sin City jungle, I suppose, the lion never sleeps.

The Lion King Musical plays at The Marina Bay Sands Theatre, with eight shows a week, till the final curtain call on 31st May 2011. Ticket starts from $65 to $240. If you happen to be in Singapore or are planning to visit anytime soon, go watch it. You won’t regret it lah!

--SunStar Weekend, May 7, 2011