Chinese LION KING Debuts at Shanghai Disney

Chinese version of Broadway musical the Lion King debuts at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Shanghai. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Chi Huiguang]

Broadway musical the Lion King has been acclaimed around the world. Its Chinese version debuted at the Walt Disney Grand Theatre in Shanghai just before the new Disney resort in the city officially opened.

For the first time, the memorable musical THE LION KING has come to life in Chinese.

This is the first time the full Broadway production has been presented at a Disney resort anywhere in the world.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, announces the kick-off.

"For Lion King, it's Broadway's highest grossing musical of all time, with more than 22 productions worldwide. This classic Disney musical has been performed in every continent on earth except Antarctica. Since Lion King debuted in 1997, more than 85 million people has seen this stunning production, but no one has ever seen it performed in Mandarin, until now."

The Chinese production marks the ninth language for this long-standing Broadway musical. And Chinese viewers seemed to be very pleased by the Chinese elements added to the show, including Peking Opera, Chinese shadow puppetry, and conversations in China's northeast dialects.

With award-winning music and a story line based on the acclaimed animated motion picture, the production sweeps audiences into the gripping tale of Simba, a lion cub who must find the courage to overcome tragedy and take his place as the leader of his pride.

For this production, Disney held auditions in more than a dozen cities in China and Asia to put together the ideal cast of more than 50 performers.

The multi-national cast ranges from newcomers to seasoned professionals, with talent from Shanghai and across China plus 10 South African performers.

The Chinese production of the musical will contribute to the one-of-a-kind immersive entertainment found throughout Shanghai Disney Resort.

Laurie Jordan is vice president entertainment for Shanghai Disney.

"We produced the first Mandarin language version of Disney's the Lion King. And that has been a very very exciting journey. The cast is fantastic. It's an international cast, but the show is all in Mandarin, sung in Mandarin. And it's just shaping up beautifully."

The Walt Disney Grand Theatre is designed in Deco industrial style. It is reminiscent of the grand theaters of old Shanghai, with a Chinese fan motif on the marquee, front door and carpet.

Theater General Manager Fred Hemminger is confident about the very first musical in the theater.

"They'll come to see the universal theme of the Lion King, but also since it has been done in Mandarin, and also invited some local touches to it, beautiful action, obviously the translation and local performers. So hopefully they also are able to identify with it in the way that they can't in any other production in the world."

Chinese and foreign viewers alike have enjoyed the 2-and-a-half hour production.

"It's perfect, it's great. It does everything it supposed to. Very emotional, (Yes) and spectacular, it's well cast."