Watch Broadway and Madrid The Lion King Stars Join Forces for Spanish Version of 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' | Playbill

Video Watch Broadway and Madrid The Lion King Stars Join Forces for Spanish Version of 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight'

The international hit musical recently celebrated 25 years on Broadway.

The Broadway production of the Tony-winning The Lion King continues its 25th anniversary celebration globally with a new rendition of Elton John's Oscar-winning "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" performed in Spanish.

The video—conceived, directed, shot, and edited by Aladdin Broadway cast member Angelo Soriano—features Pearl Khwezi, currently starring as Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King, and Agustín Argüello, starring as Simba in the Madrid production. Watch the new video above, featuring music arrangements by Agustín Argüello.

The Tony-winning musical officially opened November 13, 1997, at the New Amsterdam Theatre, subsequently transferring to the Minskoff Theatre, where it continues, in June 2006. There have been 28 touring and international productions over the life of the show, seen by 110 million people. Currently, 115,000 people enjoy the show in nine productions on three continents every week.

Director, costume designer, and mask co-designer Julie Taymor, the first woman to win a Tony for Best Director of a Musical, remains actively involved in the show, launching new productions and maintaining the flagship Broadway production. Composer Lebo M and Tony-winning choreographer Garth Fagan hold their own records: With The Lion King at over 9,700 Main Stem performances, they are the longest-running Black composer and choreographer in Broadway history.

READ: Bonita J. Hamilton Has Played the Hyena Shenzi in Broadway's The Lion King for 17 Years

The Lion King won six Tony Awards in 1998: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan), and Best Direction of a Musical. The international hit musical has also earned more than 70 major arts awards, including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year, and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs from The Lion King animated film, along with three new songs by the pair. There's also additional musical material by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer. It also inspired an album: Rhythm of the Pride Lands, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, and Hans Zimmer.

The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay.

The Broadway cast is currently led by Stephen Carlile as Scar, L. Steven Taylor as Mufasa, Tshidi Manye as Rafiki, Cameron Pow as Zazu, Ben Jeffrey as Pumbaa, Fred Berman as Timon, Brandon A. McCall as Simba, Pearl Khwezi as Nala, and James Brown-Orleans, Bonita J. Hamilton, and Robb Sapp as the hyenas Bonzai, Shenzi, and Ed, respectively. Mariama Diop and Evie Winter Lee alternate as Young Nala, and Donovan Louis Bazemore and Jayden Theophile alternate as Young Simba.

Other members of the creative team include Michael Curry (who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor), as well as sound designer Steve Canyon Kennedy, hair and makeup designer Michael Ward, associate director John Stefaniuk, associate choreographer Marey Griffith, music supervisor Clement Ishmael, and production supervisor Doc Zorthian. Anne Quart serves as co-producer.

See Inside the 25th Anniversary Celebration of The Lion King on Broadway

 
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