The Lion King: Pride Rock On Broadway

by Julie Taymor

The stage adaptation of The Lion King is being hailed around the world as a once-in-a-lifetime event. This book features a developmental history of the production through beautiful artwork, photos, and behind-the-scenes details of the challenges the director and actors faced and the making of the elaborate sets, costumes, and masks.

Genres: Plays, Nonfiction, Theatre, Art, Musicals, Drama

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 1998

About the author

Julie Taymor is an American director of Broadway theatre and film. Taymor's work has received many accolades from critics, and she has earned two Tony Awards out of four nominations, an Emmy Award, and an Academy Award nomination for her work, noted for its visual flair and colorful costuming choices. She resides in New York City with her partner Elliot Goldenthal, whom she has been with for over 20 years. She is widely known as the first female to win the Tony Award for director of a musical.

Reviews

[Olivermagnus · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lion King debuted on July 8, 1997 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis and was an instant success before premiering at the New Amsterdam Theatre on November 13, 1997.

It is Broadway's highest grossing production of all time, having grossed more than $1 billion. The show won six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for the author.

This is a really beautiful book. It's well written and detailed. There are some stunning photographs and detailed costume sketches which give this book a unique feel. I've never had the opportunity to see this musical, but I would love to experience the celebration.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the anniversary having just happened and my performing arts center scheduled to get the show in a few months, I figured now was as good of a time as any to pull this off my shelf. I love the stage production of The Lion King. It is incredible theatre. There is a reason it has run for as long as it has, and that reason is not so much its Disney tie as it is Julie Taymor's vision and direction. This book is Julie laying out the process of creating the show. It starts with Disney approaching her, and it ends with the show opening in Minneapolis. The thought and labor that went into creating this show, particularly its design elements, is unbelievable. I loved seeing the costume sketches and set mockups as well as early masks. I wish the book included a little more about the casting process and also about the decision to do their tryout in Minneapolis.

I wish another book would come out detailing the history of the show now that it has run for over twenty-five years. This book has some beautiful photographs, but it also has a lot that suffer from low resolution.

Still, it's a really nice read, and it has got me psyched to see the show again (not that I really needed the help).

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion King musical is a stunning visual piece of art that is a breathtaking experience no matter how many times you watch it. Pride Rock on Broadway chronicles the birth of the musical from idea to opening night in Julie Taymor's own words. The concept was a humble one that soon developed into the spectacular still celebrated on stage. From the idea of simple puppetry to the intricate masks that grace the stage now...this book gives the full story of how it grew into this gorgeous production. Highly recommend to fans of the musical...the pictures alone make it worth a glance!

[zoe h · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore The Lion King musical and love how this book gives insight into the design process of the masks and puppets. The photography was amazing! From original sketches of set pieces to photos taken during the show and behind the scenes with cast and crew, I loved all of it! If you've ever been curious about what made The Lion King what it is, I would highly recommend this book! 10/10

[Chris Aylott · Rating 4 out of 5]

We went to the Lion King last weekend, and were entranced. There has been much playing of the soundtrack since then, and re-enactment of the wildebeest stampede. (Fortunately, I only have to do the part where Mufasa saves Simba from the tree branch.)

That's what I'm glad that director Julie Taymor wrote this book detailing the decisions that went into the musical. This is a show that invites you to look at how it's done, and we've enjoyed poring over the pictures and reading about how the sets and costumes were designed and built.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers one-of-a-kind insight and background into the making of The Lion King on Broadway. Author and director Julie Taymor interviewed other designers and crew to give readers a deeper understanding of the show's intricate sets, costumes, and history. Stunning photographs and detailed costume sketches round out the book. A lovely collector's piece for any fan of the movie or show, and a great book to read before seeing the play or afterward to help remember it fondly. Recommended.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautifully in-depth look at everything it took to turn the Lion King into a Broadway musical that wasn’t a movie carbon copy.
So much information throughout this and the pictures were incredible. I read through the entire thing this morning without pause.
10/10 recommend to any theatre fans.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a GREAT behind the scenes look as to how the show came together! If you love the musical, and I think it was AMAZING, then this book is a must have!

[Michael Galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for any fan of The Lion King or fan of the theatre (especially how to put a successful show together).

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

the brodway is really good!!