The Mane Event: My First Broadway Show Was The Lion King, And It Was Legendary

There are moments in life that you hold onto forever, and for me, one of those moments happened over ten years ago when I saw The Lion King on Broadway for the very first time.

This wasn’t just any show. This was the show. My favorite movie of all time, not just my favorite Disney movie, was brought to life on stage. So yes, my expectations were sky-high. And somehow, magically, they were exceeded.

From the second the curtains opened and the Circle of Life began to swell through the theater, I was frozen. And then… the animals came down the aisles, right next to me. I remember that moment with such clarity: goosebumps on my arms, tears in my eyes, and my jaw completely dropped. It was the definition of Broadway magic.

The costumes? Absolutely breathtaking. The artistry in how they brought lions, elephants, birds, and antelopes to life was like nothing I’d ever seen. Every movement felt fluid, intentional, and larger than life. The music? As powerful and nostalgic as the first time I heard it as a child. And the cast? Phenomenal, start to finish.

It was the kind of experience that leaves you completely speechless… and yet full of so much emotion you want to shout about it from the rooftops. That show ignited something in me, not just a love for Broadway, but a deep appreciation for storytelling in every form.

I’ve seen many shows since, but The Lion King holds a permanent, sacred spot in my heart. And one day? I’ll be back in that audience, reliving the magic all over again.