Arts & Culture

What: The Lion King
Where: Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W.
When: Opens for performances Nov. 2
Highlight: The Circle of Life, and massive puppets
Why you should go: The Toronto production of The Lion King will be the second sit-down engagement in North America outside of New York and will feature the work of over 40 Canadian theatre artists.

NOTHING CAN prepare you for that first note of Circle of Life.

When Zama Magudelela sings The Lion King’s iconic first lyric — “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba,” a Swahili welcome for the titular lion — the elementary school gym goes silent. Due to the show’s extraordinary physical demands, Mirvish has converted a downtown school into a massive Lion King complex; right now, the former gym serves as a rehearsal room, re-fitted with a dance floor and giant giraffe puppets lining the walls. Down the hall, an old classroom houses costumes and props. Watch your step in the hallway — you might trip on a rhino mask or elephant tail.

Yes, The Lion King has landed in Toronto. It’s the show’s second-ever sit-down production in North America outside of New York — previous Mirvish engagements have been touring versions of the show — and at the sneak peek for local media last week, the energy in the room is electric.

“We are truly, truly delighted to be here and be bringing this production to Toronto,” associate director Anthony Lyn tells the media during a brief press scrum, recalling the story’s evolution from screen to stage.

Soon enough, Lyn steps aside, and the cast breaks into a rousing rendition of Circle of Life. More than one reporter wipes away tears as the song fills the gym. It’s a full, joyful sound, close harmonies combined with playful rhythms and call-and-response interludes; it’s no wonder The Lion King has enjoyed such a long life on Broadway.

The upcoming Toronto production mostly features Canadian actors, plus a few performers from South Africa. In the leading female role of Nala, theatre-savvy Torontonians might spot a familiar face: Camille Eanga-Selenge, who earlier this year delighted theatre fans as Sonya in Crow’s Theatre’s record-breaking Nastasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Eanga-Selenge is no stranger to The Lion King — she was featured in the ensemble in the U.S. national tour — but she says it’s a particular treat to get to shepherd the show to its first sit-down production in Toronto.

“It’s a dream to be able to bring this home,” she tells NEXT. “My friends are here. I’ve worked in the U.S. a lot, and my friends haven’t been able to see the shows I’ve done because travelling was so difficult, especially after COVID. So being able to have my friends and family see me in Toronto is just so huge.”

Aphiwe Nyezi, who plays Simba, agrees. While not from Toronto, Nyezi has enjoyed a long run on the West End in The Lion King’s ensemble, and he’s thrilled to get to be part of the team making Mirvish’s historic production happen.

“I feel blessed to be chosen to open a new company, a sit-down production, and to get to be the first Simba on it,” he reveals. “I feel so special, to be honest. Really blessed.”

Eanga-Selenge and Nyezi have enjoyed getting to know each other throughout the rehearsal process — their characters share oodles of stage time, which has led to a few amusing moments in the rehearsal hall.

“Our fight is pretty fun,” says Eanga-Selenge with a laugh, describing an on-stage argument that occurs in The Lion King’s second act. “This is our first time working together, but immediately, there’s safety. There’s a lot of play and laughter; it’s been very fun getting to work on that in rehearsals.”

“Yes, the chemistry is really coming together,” agrees Nyezi.

Both Nyezi and Eanga-Selenge say they’re most excited for audiences to see Circle of Life — “You’ll be blown away by it,” enthuses Nyezi. The number involves the company of The Lion King parading down the aisles of the Princess of Wales Theatre; it’s a musical theatre moment that’s become canonized for just how much audiences love it.

“I’m a big fan of the hyenas, too,” adds Eanga-Selenge. “They’re so funny, and vocally, they sound incredible together.”