The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (2025) Movie Script
1
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Ingonyama
Ingonyama
- Siyo Nqoba
- Ingonyama
In the early '90s,
Disney had an idea
to make a film called King of the Jungle.
After years
of drawing and pitches,
a stampede scene involving two lions,
Mufasa and Simba,
caught everyone's attention.
From that, in 1994,
Disney released The Lion King.
I cannot believe
it's been 30 years.
I remember when I got the phone call
from Tim Rice to write songs
from the original film,
I had no idea it would turn into
this massive global phenomenon.
The film and the music were a huge success
and went on to win two Academy Awards.
I remember writing some of the songs
for that movie very, very clearly.
The one that I remember most,
of course, was "Hakuna Matata,"
which I had to start off singing...
If I was a young warthog
And I thought,
"Has my career come to this?
I'm singing about being a warthog."
It was hilarious. Anyway...
In 1997, The Lion King musical
took stages around the world by storm
and became a Tony and Grammy
award-winning production.
Since its premiere,
it has played in over 100 cities
on almost every continent.
Helping The Lion King franchise
become the biggest entertainment property
in the whole wide world. Wow.
It's led to producing two sequels,
a prequel, and two television series
to follow new stories
of our favorite characters.
And tonight, for the first time ever,
we're reuniting the voices
of our favorite characters
from all over the globe,
from the film to the musical
on the same stage,
to celebrate the unforgettable music
of The Lion King.
Welcome to the 30th anniversary
celebration of The Lion King
at the Hollywood Bowl.
Yes!
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
-Sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Oh, sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There is more to see
than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There is far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But with the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small
on the endless round
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
Oh
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
We're going to be treating you
to some spectacular musical performances
celebrating Disney's 30-year history
of The Lion King.
Right up next is the amazing Lebo M
with "He Lives in You."
Night
And the spirit of life
Calling
Mamela
And a voice
With the fear of a child
Answers
Oh, mamela
Ubukhosi bo khokho
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke
Wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Have faith
Mamela
Mamela, oh
He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you
He lives in you
Uphila kuwe
Uphila nakum
Uhlal'ejongile
Yonk'into esiyibonayo
Nansenemanzini, oh
Nasenyanisweni
Nase mfanekisweni wakho
Uphila kuwe
He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
He watches over everything we see
He lives in you
What do you want me to do?
Dress in drag and do the hula?
What's going on?
People really love The Lion King.
Wow!
- They have great casts.
- Mind blown.
Mr. Pig!
It's going to be a hit.
This is
The Lion King production.
Nathan Lane as Timon, take one.
Oh, you meant-- Oh.
I'm, like, standing here.
You're waiting for me?
I believe we were the first two actors
Disney allowed to record together.
I gravel at your feet.
It's not "gravel."
It's "grovel."
And don't. He's not the king.
He would ad-lib, and I'd ad-lib,
and we fed off each other.
Ernie, he does a very high,
raspy sound.
He's so cute and all alone.
Can we keep him?
And I just made Timon
a Brooklyn Jewish meerkat.
He's a lion.
He eats guys like us.
But he's so little.
The voice I chose,
you can only do about an hour
before you get hurt.
And he was just doing New York, you know?
Who's the brains in this outfit?
- Uh...
- My point exactly.
Good choice.
Mark it.
- We got it.
- Here we go.
Now, you don't need to push.
My name is Jason Weaver,
and I'm the original singing voice
of young Simba.
Everybody look left...
This is the first time
that Ernie and Nathan and I
have had the opportunity
to actually sing these songs together.
When I did my parts,
I was just in there, you know, solo dolo.
We just know the voice. We never met him.
It's just amazing. Amazing opportunity.
Holy cow.
- Ah.
- Ernie. Oh, my God.
You don't look a day over
"30 years later."
How are you?
What is it? I smell a meerkat.
- Hello, dear. How are you?
- Hello.
- This is crazy.
- Long time, no see.
- We never met?
- We never met.
- This is our first time meeting.
- Oh, my god. No.
- It was wonderful.
- I'm grateful.
Well, it was like a good therapy session,
wasn't it?
Rehearsal, I mean,
it was a nervous feeling for me.
Haven't done this in a while.
Let's see if we can walk and talk.
Ernie and I,
we've had a long history together,
so it's lovely to be
working together again.
I thought we'd never sing
this song together again.
You feel the Disney magic
all through it, man,
and it's just amazing.
Performing together on stage
for the first time ever,
please welcome the original singing voices
of Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba:
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella,
and Jason Weaver.
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata?
- Yeah, that's our motto.
- What's a motto?
Nothin'! What's a motto with you?
Kid, kid, kid.
These two words
will solve all your problems.
That's right. Take Pumbaa, for example.
Why...
When he was a young warthog
When I was a young warthog!
- Very nice.
- Thanks!
He found his aroma
lacked a certain appeal
He could clear the savanna
after every meal
I'm a sensitive soul
though I seem thick-skinned
And it hurt that my friends
never stood downwind
- And oh, the shame!
- He was ashamed!
Thought of changin' my name!
Oh, what's in a name?
- And I got downhearted
- How did you feel?
Every time that I farted
Wow.
I've waited 30 years to hear you say that.
I waited 30 years to let it out!
But not in front of the kids!
Sorry.
Hakuna Matata
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
Yeah, sing it, kid!
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Welcome to our humble home.
Wait, you live here?
We live wherever we want.
Home is where your rump rests.
- Right.
- I'm starving.
- Me, too.
- This is beautiful.
Oh, I'm so hungry,
I could eat a whole zebra.
Uh, we're fresh out of zebra.
- Well, any antelope?
- Nuh-uh.
- Hippos?
- Oy, carnivores.
Listen, kid,
if you're gonna live with us,
you gotta eat like us.
And this looks like a good place
to rustle up some grub.
- Ugh, what's that?
- A grub. What's it look like?
Ew, gross.
Tastes like chicken.
Slimy, yet satisfying.
These are rare delicacies. Mm.
Piquant, with a very pleasant crunch.
Ah, you'll learn to love 'em.
I'm telling you, kid,
this is the great life.
No rules, no responsibilities.
Ooh! The little cream-filled kind.
And better, no worries.
So what do you say, kid?
Want to go vegetarian?
Well, oh, well.
Hakuna Matata.
- Yeah, slimy, yet satisfying.
- That's it!
Oh, the fun never stops
on the Serengeti. Whoo!
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Everybody! Sing along.
You know the words to this. Come on!
Hakuna Matata
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Hey!
Hakuna Matata
Hey!
Haku...
Hey! Let's go!
Oh, sing it, fellas. Let's go.
Na, Matata!
You say, "hakuna," I say, "matata"
I say, "potato," you say, "patata"
- Hakuna
- Matata
- Potato
- Broccoli
Let's call the whole thing off
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella.
Jason Weaver.
Love you guys.
November of 1990,
we started on the movie,
and I was the first producer on it.
And by the summer of 1994,
Lion King is a giant hit.
Why aren't we doing Lion King on stage?
When they told me
they were doing a stage version,
I was like,
"Well, how are they going to
do a wildebeest stampede?"
It was unbelievable.
Animation and theater
are, in many ways, arts of the invisible.
The power of The Lion King
is in that humanity.
The irony is, it's a story
with no people in it.
And I always say,
all these people made this.
The stage production
of Lion King
is an experience like no other.
You can enter, and you can rise here.
Yeah, that would be beautiful.
So other people are turning,
and you're entering.
Oh, when they take me
so very far away
I will...
In the movie, Nala's there,
and she has a significant role.
But I think Julie Taymor
really wanted to puff Nala out.
Because when you think about it,
Nala's the Lion Queen
behind the Lion King.
We spent a lot of time looking at animals.
And I remember Julie Taymor saying,
"I want you to go
and just study documentaries.
Just see how they move."
Just trying to figure out,
well, how would Nala walk?
And what would she do with her hands?
And how does her head move?
There's the human, and there's the animal.
And that we are not trying
to completely hide
the human in the animal.
You're the moving piece of the mask.
How to make that translate,
and how to make an audience feel like
they can look beyond
the human that's on stage...
That was a big task.
In the beginning, you're just like,
"I cannot get this."
But then, within three
or four weeks of doing it,
it was seamless.
Our next performer
was the original Nala
from the Broadway production
of The Lion King.
Please welcome Heather Headley.
Fatshe leso
Lea halalela
Fatshe leso
Lea halalela
Shadowland
The leaves have fallen
This shadowed land
This was our home
The river's dry
The ground has broken
So I must go
Now I must go
And where the journey may lead me
Let your prayers be my guide
I cannot stay here
My family
But I'll remember my pride
- I have no choice
- Pride Lands, my land
- I will find my way
- Tear-stained
- Lea halalela
- Dry land
Take this
Take this prayer
What lies out there?
Lea halalela
And where the journey may lead me
Let your prayers be my guide
Though it may take me so far away
I'll remember my pride
Giza buyabo, giza buyabo
I will return, I will return
Beso bo
Giza buyabo
I will return
Giza buyabo
Oh
Beso bo
Beso bo
My people
Beso bo
Aweem away, aweem away
Aweem away, aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Please welcome to the stage
the voice of Timon
from the 2019 movie
and Mufasa movie, Billy Eichner.
Good evening, Hollywood Bowl!
They told me to come out here
and make sure
everyone is having a good time.
Is everyone having a good time?
I want to give a big shout-out
to all the children who are here tonight.
I do wanna bring somebody out.
Please welcome back my friend,
the legend, Nathan Lane.
Oh. What a night, what a crowd.
Hi, fellas. See you later
at the after party.
Ladies and gentlemen,
how about a big hand for Sarah Hicks
and this magnificent orchestra...
Yes! Sarah Hicks!
...and our chorus
of amazing singers.
And of course, the lovely
and talented Billy Eichner,
who has done a fantastic job
of bringing Timon
to a whole new generation.
- Billy Eichner.
- Thank you.
It is an honor, my friend.
All right. Well,
are you ready for the song?
Now's the big moment.
We're all gonna sing along.
I know people get shy. Don't be shy.
Seven-year-old children
and 45-year-old Disney fanatics,
we're counting on you.
I know you're here.
We need you tonight.
All right. Here we go.
I'm going to count us in.
A-one and a-two
and a-one, two, three, four.
-In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Near the village
The peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
In Larchmont Village
Yes, Larchmont Village
Coyotes are inside
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Everybody!
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
This is high. Do your best.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
I feel like Neil Diamond.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
One more verse.
In the village
The peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Louder!
In Larchmont Village
Yes, Larchmont Village
Coyotes are inside
Let's go!
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Sing it, down the octave
if you have to, sir.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
The lion sleeps tonight!
- Nathan Lane!
- Billy Eichner!
Thank you so much.
Lion King was a huge part
of my childhood.
I was about 11 or 12 years old
when Lion King came out.
It definitely hit close to home for me.
I sang "Circle of Life"
on the Disney Wonder Cruise ship.
I feel like that is
when my career started.
And then fast forward to American Idol.
And there I am
singing "Circle of Life"
with Elton John himself.
The circle of life...
Unreal.
Jennifer Hudson blew me away.
She sent chills up my spine.
It was my favorite performance
out of the whole lot.
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
If that's not a full circle,
I don't know what is, okay?
To be able to sing here
at the Hollywood Bowl
on the anniversary of Lion King
is beyond a dream.
I have to put it outside of my mind
just to get through the song. Okay? Okay.
I can see what's happening
And they don't have a clue
They'll fall in love
and here's the bottom line
Our trio's down to two
The sweet caress of twilight
There's magic everywhere
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Disaster's in the air
Please welcome Emmy, Grammy,
Oscar, and Tony winner
Jennifer Hudson!
There's a calm surrender
to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind
Can be turned away
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
It is where we are
It's enough
for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we've got this far
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
There's a time for everyone
if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope
moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason
to the wild outdoors
When the heart
of this star-crossed voyager
Beats in time with yours
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
It is where we are
It's enough
for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we've got this far
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very
Best
Lion King was kind of an experiment,
but it's good for us as artists
to take chances
and do things that
are not proven or not obvious.
I just thought,
"An animated picture.
I've never done that."
There's a good lad.
You run along now and have fun.
Scar is a mix of many people,
many things.
Jeremy Irons is an actor
who can make anything
that he reads sound interesting.
Alas, poor wildebeest.
I chewed him well.
There's certain features,
his eyes,
his mouth configurations,
that I thought I might be able to use.
Oh, goody.
So, I kind of based
my design of Scar on his look.
When I saw the film,
I couldn't believe it
because James Earl Jones,
he was a rippling lion
with this fantastic mane,
and me, Scar,
thin with this manky old tail
and this terrible mane.
Surely that can't be copied on me, can it?
But, yeah, it was.
Oh, I feel simply awful.
I'm absolutely scared out of my pants.
No, I'm not.
Fortunately for the audience,
I don't have to dance.
Bad back, you know.
I've just got to sing
and remember the words.
And that isn't easy, you know,
because I recorded this
in-studio 30 years ago.
I will deal whatever happens.
If they throw cabbages at me or whatever,
it's fine.
I never thought hyenas essential
They're crude and unspeakably plain
But maybe they've a glimmer
of potential
If allied to my vision and brain
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are
Pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear
from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking
kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer
And where do we feature?
Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
but you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!
It's great
that we'll soon be connected
With a king who'll be all-time adored
Of course, quid pro quo
You're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won't get a sniff without me!
So, prepare
for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Scam, scam, scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
is simply why I'll be king
Undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
I said my teeth
and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Lebo was from South Africa, from Soweto,
and Hans Zimmer brought him
into the studio to record.
I slept in the streets in Los Angeles
for the first two years when I came here.
I was called in to do a demo.
The first take I did
is still the take
that's still there today,
the iconic introduction of The Lion King.
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
If the Lion King has been
this ever-evolving equation,
Lebo is the constant.
Lebo's the only guy that really
worked on everything.
He contributed to arranging
and bringing in the choruses,
and he brings it
to the Broadway stage show.
Lion King is the longest
successful Broadway African content
in history.
It's very emotional for me.
The music of South Africa
that Lebo did
is so rich and organic.
It's mind-blowing.
First two, three years,
I used to drive a cab here.
I used to literally park my taxi
and look at this venue
and dream that one day,
I'm gonna play this venue.
So, I have no words to explain
how and what that means to me.
Please welcome to the stage
the original singing voice
of Simba, Jason Weaver.
Yo, yo, yo, yo! What's up, everybody?
So, listen, I was 12 years old
when I recorded
the singing voice of young Simba
for the 1994 production.
And this movie literally
changed my life, okay?
And since then, The Lion King
has touched so many generations
and families across the globe.
And I never would have imagined
people would still be listening
and singing along to the music
30 years later.
I'm so honored to be here tonight
to introduce our next performer,
who is making her Hollywood debut.
She's only ten years old,
and she's here to perform
"I Just Can't Wait To Be King."
Okay, please welcome
the brilliant North West!
Let's go!
I'm gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware
Well, I've never seen
a king of beasts
-With quite so little hair
- Yeah!
I'm gonna be the main event
like no king was before
I'm rushing up
I'm looking down
- I'm working on my roar
- Yeah!
Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
You have rather
a long way to go, young master
If you think--
No one's saying, "Do this"
Now, when I said that--
- No one's saying, "Be there"
- What I meant was--
- No one saying, "Stop that"
- What you don't realize is--
- No one saying, "See here"
- Now, see here!
Free to run around all day
Well, that's definitely out--
Free to do it all my way!
Well, I think it's time that you and I
Arranged a heart-to-heart
Kings don't need advice
from little hornbills
For a start
If this is where
the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa
I wouldn't hang about
This child is getting wildly
out of wing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I'm...
Standing in the spotlight
Not yet!
Let every creature
go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd
and on the wing
Oh, yeah!
It's gonna be King Simba's
finest fling!
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Oh, I just can't wait
To be king!
As a special treat for you tonight,
performing a very special song
from the new movie, Mufasa,
is the incredible Lebo M!
The Lion King
has been a part of my life
for what feels like my entire life.
It was my first Broadway show,
and it was the very first time
I saw a cast of people
that looked like me.
Then, it ended up being my first
big leading principal role on Broadway,
and it changed my life.
I sing "Endless Night"
for all the great men
that sang it before me
and the great men
that will sing it after me.
The Lion King will live forever.
Please welcome to the stage,
Bradley Gibson.
Where has the starlight gone?
Dark is the day
How can I find my way
Home?
Home is an empty dream
Lost to the night
Father
I feel so alone
You promised you'd be there
Whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
You're not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
When will the dawning break?
Oh, endless night
Sleepless I dream
Of the day
When you were by my side
Guiding my path
Father
I can't find the way
You promised you'd be there
whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
you're not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
and that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
and that the sun will shine
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
and that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
And that the sun will shine
I know
I know that the night must end
Yes, I know
- And that the sun will rise
- The sun will rise
And that the sun will rise
- Yes, I know
- I know that the clouds must clear
I know
- And that the sun will shine
- The clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
I know that the night must end
- I know that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- And I'll hear your voice deep inside
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- I know that the night must end
I know that the night must end
And that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- The sun, the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
- The sun, the sun
- And that the sun will rise
- Will rise
- And that the sun will rise
It's the circle of life
It was only after touring,
the stage production,
and going all over the world
that I started seeing
and feeling the global impact
of the work we've done with The Lion King.
We're able to change lives
on and off stage with this project,
with the talent on stage.
In Taiwan, I came across Tehillah.
She brought something very organic,
and I hired her.
My name is Tehillah Alphonso.
I am 25 years old.
Having grown up in Nebraska,
and my parents are both
Nigerian immigrants as well,
seeing The Lion King at 15
was the first time
I actually felt a connection to home
and felt a sense of belonging.
The impact is astounding.
I love Beyonc.
I love the song.
To be able to step in in this capacity
is so beyond special.
I'm excited for how the audience
is gonna react to her,
'cause you could say she's an unknown,
but her voice is so spectacular
and very unique.
I didn't see myself as being
a solo artist in any capacity.
I work as a background singer.
Especially because
of her tone and her range.
She's going to be a star.
You know, this random girl
from Omaha, Nebraska
is now singing at the Hollywood Bowl
for her favorite Disney movie of all time.
I couldn't have dreamt this
in my wildest dreams.
Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talking
Yeah, yeah, for the very first time
With a melody
that pulls you towards it
Paintin' pictures of paradise
Sayin'
- Rise up
- Rise up
To the light in the
- Sky, yeah
- Sky, yeah
Let the light lift your
- Heart up
- Heart up
Burn your flame
through the night, whoa
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Can you hear it callin'?
Callin'
Yeah!
Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin'
Trying to keep your head up high
When you're trembling
That's when the magic happens
And the stars gather by your side
Sayin'
Rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Let the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame
through the night, yeah
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Can you hear it callin'?
Callin'
Yeah
Your destiny is coming close
So stand up and fight
So, go into that far-off land
And be one with the Great I Am
I am
A boy becomes a man
Whoa
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Yeah
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Your destiny is comin' close
So stand up and fight
So, go into that far-off land
And be one with the Great I Am
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
Circle of
Life!
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Ingonyama
Ingonyama
- Siyo Nqoba
- Ingonyama
In the early '90s,
Disney had an idea
to make a film called King of the Jungle.
After years
of drawing and pitches,
a stampede scene involving two lions,
Mufasa and Simba,
caught everyone's attention.
From that, in 1994,
Disney released The Lion King.
I cannot believe
it's been 30 years.
I remember when I got the phone call
from Tim Rice to write songs
from the original film,
I had no idea it would turn into
this massive global phenomenon.
The film and the music were a huge success
and went on to win two Academy Awards.
I remember writing some of the songs
for that movie very, very clearly.
The one that I remember most,
of course, was "Hakuna Matata,"
which I had to start off singing...
If I was a young warthog
And I thought,
"Has my career come to this?
I'm singing about being a warthog."
It was hilarious. Anyway...
In 1997, The Lion King musical
took stages around the world by storm
and became a Tony and Grammy
award-winning production.
Since its premiere,
it has played in over 100 cities
on almost every continent.
Helping The Lion King franchise
become the biggest entertainment property
in the whole wide world. Wow.
It's led to producing two sequels,
a prequel, and two television series
to follow new stories
of our favorite characters.
And tonight, for the first time ever,
we're reuniting the voices
of our favorite characters
from all over the globe,
from the film to the musical
on the same stage,
to celebrate the unforgettable music
of The Lion King.
Welcome to the 30th anniversary
celebration of The Lion King
at the Hollywood Bowl.
Yes!
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
-Sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Oh, sithi uhm ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There is more to see
than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There is far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But with the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small
on the endless round
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
Oh
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
We're going to be treating you
to some spectacular musical performances
celebrating Disney's 30-year history
of The Lion King.
Right up next is the amazing Lebo M
with "He Lives in You."
Night
And the spirit of life
Calling
Mamela
And a voice
With the fear of a child
Answers
Oh, mamela
Ubukhosi bo khokho
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke
Wait
There's no mountain too great
Hear these words and have faith
Have faith
Mamela
Mamela, oh
He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
Everything we see
Into the water
Into the truth
In your reflection
He lives in you
He lives in you
Uphila kuwe
Uphila nakum
Uhlal'ejongile
Yonk'into esiyibonayo
Nansenemanzini, oh
Nasenyanisweni
Nase mfanekisweni wakho
Uphila kuwe
He lives in you
He lives in me
He watches over
He watches over everything we see
He lives in you
What do you want me to do?
Dress in drag and do the hula?
What's going on?
People really love The Lion King.
Wow!
- They have great casts.
- Mind blown.
Mr. Pig!
It's going to be a hit.
This is
The Lion King production.
Nathan Lane as Timon, take one.
Oh, you meant-- Oh.
I'm, like, standing here.
You're waiting for me?
I believe we were the first two actors
Disney allowed to record together.
I gravel at your feet.
It's not "gravel."
It's "grovel."
And don't. He's not the king.
He would ad-lib, and I'd ad-lib,
and we fed off each other.
Ernie, he does a very high,
raspy sound.
He's so cute and all alone.
Can we keep him?
And I just made Timon
a Brooklyn Jewish meerkat.
He's a lion.
He eats guys like us.
But he's so little.
The voice I chose,
you can only do about an hour
before you get hurt.
And he was just doing New York, you know?
Who's the brains in this outfit?
- Uh...
- My point exactly.
Good choice.
Mark it.
- We got it.
- Here we go.
Now, you don't need to push.
My name is Jason Weaver,
and I'm the original singing voice
of young Simba.
Everybody look left...
This is the first time
that Ernie and Nathan and I
have had the opportunity
to actually sing these songs together.
When I did my parts,
I was just in there, you know, solo dolo.
We just know the voice. We never met him.
It's just amazing. Amazing opportunity.
Holy cow.
- Ah.
- Ernie. Oh, my God.
You don't look a day over
"30 years later."
How are you?
What is it? I smell a meerkat.
- Hello, dear. How are you?
- Hello.
- This is crazy.
- Long time, no see.
- We never met?
- We never met.
- This is our first time meeting.
- Oh, my god. No.
- It was wonderful.
- I'm grateful.
Well, it was like a good therapy session,
wasn't it?
Rehearsal, I mean,
it was a nervous feeling for me.
Haven't done this in a while.
Let's see if we can walk and talk.
Ernie and I,
we've had a long history together,
so it's lovely to be
working together again.
I thought we'd never sing
this song together again.
You feel the Disney magic
all through it, man,
and it's just amazing.
Performing together on stage
for the first time ever,
please welcome the original singing voices
of Timon, Pumbaa, and Simba:
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella,
and Jason Weaver.
Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase!
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata?
- Yeah, that's our motto.
- What's a motto?
Nothin'! What's a motto with you?
Kid, kid, kid.
These two words
will solve all your problems.
That's right. Take Pumbaa, for example.
Why...
When he was a young warthog
When I was a young warthog!
- Very nice.
- Thanks!
He found his aroma
lacked a certain appeal
He could clear the savanna
after every meal
I'm a sensitive soul
though I seem thick-skinned
And it hurt that my friends
never stood downwind
- And oh, the shame!
- He was ashamed!
Thought of changin' my name!
Oh, what's in a name?
- And I got downhearted
- How did you feel?
Every time that I farted
Wow.
I've waited 30 years to hear you say that.
I waited 30 years to let it out!
But not in front of the kids!
Sorry.
Hakuna Matata
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
Yeah, sing it, kid!
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Welcome to our humble home.
Wait, you live here?
We live wherever we want.
Home is where your rump rests.
- Right.
- I'm starving.
- Me, too.
- This is beautiful.
Oh, I'm so hungry,
I could eat a whole zebra.
Uh, we're fresh out of zebra.
- Well, any antelope?
- Nuh-uh.
- Hippos?
- Oy, carnivores.
Listen, kid,
if you're gonna live with us,
you gotta eat like us.
And this looks like a good place
to rustle up some grub.
- Ugh, what's that?
- A grub. What's it look like?
Ew, gross.
Tastes like chicken.
Slimy, yet satisfying.
These are rare delicacies. Mm.
Piquant, with a very pleasant crunch.
Ah, you'll learn to love 'em.
I'm telling you, kid,
this is the great life.
No rules, no responsibilities.
Ooh! The little cream-filled kind.
And better, no worries.
So what do you say, kid?
Want to go vegetarian?
Well, oh, well.
Hakuna Matata.
- Yeah, slimy, yet satisfying.
- That's it!
Oh, the fun never stops
on the Serengeti. Whoo!
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Hakuna Matata
Everybody! Sing along.
You know the words to this. Come on!
Hakuna Matata
It means no worries
for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata
Hey!
Hakuna Matata
Hey!
Haku...
Hey! Let's go!
Oh, sing it, fellas. Let's go.
Na, Matata!
You say, "hakuna," I say, "matata"
I say, "potato," you say, "patata"
- Hakuna
- Matata
- Potato
- Broccoli
Let's call the whole thing off
- Yeah!
- Yeah!
Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella.
Jason Weaver.
Love you guys.
November of 1990,
we started on the movie,
and I was the first producer on it.
And by the summer of 1994,
Lion King is a giant hit.
Why aren't we doing Lion King on stage?
When they told me
they were doing a stage version,
I was like,
"Well, how are they going to
do a wildebeest stampede?"
It was unbelievable.
Animation and theater
are, in many ways, arts of the invisible.
The power of The Lion King
is in that humanity.
The irony is, it's a story
with no people in it.
And I always say,
all these people made this.
The stage production
of Lion King
is an experience like no other.
You can enter, and you can rise here.
Yeah, that would be beautiful.
So other people are turning,
and you're entering.
Oh, when they take me
so very far away
I will...
In the movie, Nala's there,
and she has a significant role.
But I think Julie Taymor
really wanted to puff Nala out.
Because when you think about it,
Nala's the Lion Queen
behind the Lion King.
We spent a lot of time looking at animals.
And I remember Julie Taymor saying,
"I want you to go
and just study documentaries.
Just see how they move."
Just trying to figure out,
well, how would Nala walk?
And what would she do with her hands?
And how does her head move?
There's the human, and there's the animal.
And that we are not trying
to completely hide
the human in the animal.
You're the moving piece of the mask.
How to make that translate,
and how to make an audience feel like
they can look beyond
the human that's on stage...
That was a big task.
In the beginning, you're just like,
"I cannot get this."
But then, within three
or four weeks of doing it,
it was seamless.
Our next performer
was the original Nala
from the Broadway production
of The Lion King.
Please welcome Heather Headley.
Fatshe leso
Lea halalela
Fatshe leso
Lea halalela
Shadowland
The leaves have fallen
This shadowed land
This was our home
The river's dry
The ground has broken
So I must go
Now I must go
And where the journey may lead me
Let your prayers be my guide
I cannot stay here
My family
But I'll remember my pride
- I have no choice
- Pride Lands, my land
- I will find my way
- Tear-stained
- Lea halalela
- Dry land
Take this
Take this prayer
What lies out there?
Lea halalela
And where the journey may lead me
Let your prayers be my guide
Though it may take me so far away
I'll remember my pride
Giza buyabo, giza buyabo
I will return, I will return
Beso bo
Giza buyabo
I will return
Giza buyabo
Oh
Beso bo
Beso bo
My people
Beso bo
Aweem away, aweem away
Aweem away, aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Please welcome to the stage
the voice of Timon
from the 2019 movie
and Mufasa movie, Billy Eichner.
Good evening, Hollywood Bowl!
They told me to come out here
and make sure
everyone is having a good time.
Is everyone having a good time?
I want to give a big shout-out
to all the children who are here tonight.
I do wanna bring somebody out.
Please welcome back my friend,
the legend, Nathan Lane.
Oh. What a night, what a crowd.
Hi, fellas. See you later
at the after party.
Ladies and gentlemen,
how about a big hand for Sarah Hicks
and this magnificent orchestra...
Yes! Sarah Hicks!
...and our chorus
of amazing singers.
And of course, the lovely
and talented Billy Eichner,
who has done a fantastic job
of bringing Timon
to a whole new generation.
- Billy Eichner.
- Thank you.
It is an honor, my friend.
All right. Well,
are you ready for the song?
Now's the big moment.
We're all gonna sing along.
I know people get shy. Don't be shy.
Seven-year-old children
and 45-year-old Disney fanatics,
we're counting on you.
I know you're here.
We need you tonight.
All right. Here we go.
I'm going to count us in.
A-one and a-two
and a-one, two, three, four.
-In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Near the village
The peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
In Larchmont Village
Yes, Larchmont Village
Coyotes are inside
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
Everybody!
In the jungle
The mighty jungle
The lion sleeps tonight
This is high. Do your best.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
I feel like Neil Diamond.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
One more verse.
In the village
The peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight
Louder!
In Larchmont Village
Yes, Larchmont Village
Coyotes are inside
Let's go!
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
Sing it, down the octave
if you have to, sir.
Wee heeheehee
Weeoh aweem away
The lion sleeps tonight!
- Nathan Lane!
- Billy Eichner!
Thank you so much.
Lion King was a huge part
of my childhood.
I was about 11 or 12 years old
when Lion King came out.
It definitely hit close to home for me.
I sang "Circle of Life"
on the Disney Wonder Cruise ship.
I feel like that is
when my career started.
And then fast forward to American Idol.
And there I am
singing "Circle of Life"
with Elton John himself.
The circle of life...
Unreal.
Jennifer Hudson blew me away.
She sent chills up my spine.
It was my favorite performance
out of the whole lot.
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
If that's not a full circle,
I don't know what is, okay?
To be able to sing here
at the Hollywood Bowl
on the anniversary of Lion King
is beyond a dream.
I have to put it outside of my mind
just to get through the song. Okay? Okay.
I can see what's happening
And they don't have a clue
They'll fall in love
and here's the bottom line
Our trio's down to two
The sweet caress of twilight
There's magic everywhere
And with all this romantic atmosphere
Disaster's in the air
Please welcome Emmy, Grammy,
Oscar, and Tony winner
Jennifer Hudson!
There's a calm surrender
to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind
Can be turned away
An enchanted moment
And it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior
Just to be with you
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
It is where we are
It's enough
for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we've got this far
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
There's a time for everyone
if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope
moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason
to the wild outdoors
When the heart
of this star-crossed voyager
Beats in time with yours
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
It is where we are
It's enough
for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we've got this far
Can you feel the love tonight?
Tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
It's enough to make
kings and vagabonds
Believe the very
Best
Lion King was kind of an experiment,
but it's good for us as artists
to take chances
and do things that
are not proven or not obvious.
I just thought,
"An animated picture.
I've never done that."
There's a good lad.
You run along now and have fun.
Scar is a mix of many people,
many things.
Jeremy Irons is an actor
who can make anything
that he reads sound interesting.
Alas, poor wildebeest.
I chewed him well.
There's certain features,
his eyes,
his mouth configurations,
that I thought I might be able to use.
Oh, goody.
So, I kind of based
my design of Scar on his look.
When I saw the film,
I couldn't believe it
because James Earl Jones,
he was a rippling lion
with this fantastic mane,
and me, Scar,
thin with this manky old tail
and this terrible mane.
Surely that can't be copied on me, can it?
But, yeah, it was.
Oh, I feel simply awful.
I'm absolutely scared out of my pants.
No, I'm not.
Fortunately for the audience,
I don't have to dance.
Bad back, you know.
I've just got to sing
and remember the words.
And that isn't easy, you know,
because I recorded this
in-studio 30 years ago.
I will deal whatever happens.
If they throw cabbages at me or whatever,
it's fine.
I never thought hyenas essential
They're crude and unspeakably plain
But maybe they've a glimmer
of potential
If allied to my vision and brain
I know that your powers of retention
Are as wet as a warthog's backside
But thick as you are
Pay attention
My words are a matter of pride
It's clear
from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking
kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares
So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer
And where do we feature?
Just listen to teacher
I know it sounds sordid
but you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!
It's great
that we'll soon be connected
With a king who'll be all-time adored
Of course, quid pro quo
You're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won't get a sniff without me!
So, prepare
for the coup of the century
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
Scam, scam, scam
Meticulous planning
Tenacity spanning
Decades of denial
is simply why I'll be king
Undisputed
Respected, saluted
And seen for the wonder I am
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
I said my teeth
and ambitions are bared
Be prepared!
Lebo was from South Africa, from Soweto,
and Hans Zimmer brought him
into the studio to record.
I slept in the streets in Los Angeles
for the first two years when I came here.
I was called in to do a demo.
The first take I did
is still the take
that's still there today,
the iconic introduction of The Lion King.
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
If the Lion King has been
this ever-evolving equation,
Lebo is the constant.
Lebo's the only guy that really
worked on everything.
He contributed to arranging
and bringing in the choruses,
and he brings it
to the Broadway stage show.
Lion King is the longest
successful Broadway African content
in history.
It's very emotional for me.
The music of South Africa
that Lebo did
is so rich and organic.
It's mind-blowing.
First two, three years,
I used to drive a cab here.
I used to literally park my taxi
and look at this venue
and dream that one day,
I'm gonna play this venue.
So, I have no words to explain
how and what that means to me.
Please welcome to the stage
the original singing voice
of Simba, Jason Weaver.
Yo, yo, yo, yo! What's up, everybody?
So, listen, I was 12 years old
when I recorded
the singing voice of young Simba
for the 1994 production.
And this movie literally
changed my life, okay?
And since then, The Lion King
has touched so many generations
and families across the globe.
And I never would have imagined
people would still be listening
and singing along to the music
30 years later.
I'm so honored to be here tonight
to introduce our next performer,
who is making her Hollywood debut.
She's only ten years old,
and she's here to perform
"I Just Can't Wait To Be King."
Okay, please welcome
the brilliant North West!
Let's go!
I'm gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware
Well, I've never seen
a king of beasts
-With quite so little hair
- Yeah!
I'm gonna be the main event
like no king was before
I'm rushing up
I'm looking down
- I'm working on my roar
- Yeah!
Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
You have rather
a long way to go, young master
If you think--
No one's saying, "Do this"
Now, when I said that--
- No one's saying, "Be there"
- What I meant was--
- No one saying, "Stop that"
- What you don't realize is--
- No one saying, "See here"
- Now, see here!
Free to run around all day
Well, that's definitely out--
Free to do it all my way!
Well, I think it's time that you and I
Arranged a heart-to-heart
Kings don't need advice
from little hornbills
For a start
If this is where
the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa
I wouldn't hang about
This child is getting wildly
out of wing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I'm...
Standing in the spotlight
Not yet!
Let every creature
go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd
and on the wing
Oh, yeah!
It's gonna be King Simba's
finest fling!
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Oh, I just can't wait
To be king!
As a special treat for you tonight,
performing a very special song
from the new movie, Mufasa,
is the incredible Lebo M!
The Lion King
has been a part of my life
for what feels like my entire life.
It was my first Broadway show,
and it was the very first time
I saw a cast of people
that looked like me.
Then, it ended up being my first
big leading principal role on Broadway,
and it changed my life.
I sing "Endless Night"
for all the great men
that sang it before me
and the great men
that will sing it after me.
The Lion King will live forever.
Please welcome to the stage,
Bradley Gibson.
Where has the starlight gone?
Dark is the day
How can I find my way
Home?
Home is an empty dream
Lost to the night
Father
I feel so alone
You promised you'd be there
Whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
You're not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
When will the dawning break?
Oh, endless night
Sleepless I dream
Of the day
When you were by my side
Guiding my path
Father
I can't find the way
You promised you'd be there
whenever I needed you
Whenever I call your name
you're not anywhere
I'm trying to hold on
Just waiting to hear your voice
One word, just a word will do
To end this nightmare
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
and that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
and that the sun will shine
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
and that the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
And that the sun will shine
I know
I know that the night must end
Yes, I know
- And that the sun will rise
- The sun will rise
And that the sun will rise
- Yes, I know
- I know that the clouds must clear
I know
- And that the sun will shine
- The clouds must clear
And that the sun will shine
I know that the night must end
- I know that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- And I'll hear your voice deep inside
I know that the night must end
And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- I know that the night must end
I know that the night must end
And that the clouds must clear
And that the sun will rise
- And that the sun will rise
- The sun, the sun will rise
I know that the clouds must clear
- The sun, the sun
- And that the sun will rise
- Will rise
- And that the sun will rise
It's the circle of life
It was only after touring,
the stage production,
and going all over the world
that I started seeing
and feeling the global impact
of the work we've done with The Lion King.
We're able to change lives
on and off stage with this project,
with the talent on stage.
In Taiwan, I came across Tehillah.
She brought something very organic,
and I hired her.
My name is Tehillah Alphonso.
I am 25 years old.
Having grown up in Nebraska,
and my parents are both
Nigerian immigrants as well,
seeing The Lion King at 15
was the first time
I actually felt a connection to home
and felt a sense of belonging.
The impact is astounding.
I love Beyonc.
I love the song.
To be able to step in in this capacity
is so beyond special.
I'm excited for how the audience
is gonna react to her,
'cause you could say she's an unknown,
but her voice is so spectacular
and very unique.
I didn't see myself as being
a solo artist in any capacity.
I work as a background singer.
Especially because
of her tone and her range.
She's going to be a star.
You know, this random girl
from Omaha, Nebraska
is now singing at the Hollywood Bowl
for her favorite Disney movie of all time.
I couldn't have dreamt this
in my wildest dreams.
Yeah, yeah, and the wind is talking
Yeah, yeah, for the very first time
With a melody
that pulls you towards it
Paintin' pictures of paradise
Sayin'
- Rise up
- Rise up
To the light in the
- Sky, yeah
- Sky, yeah
Let the light lift your
- Heart up
- Heart up
Burn your flame
through the night, whoa
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Can you hear it callin'?
Callin'
Yeah!
Yeah, yeah, and the water's crashin'
Trying to keep your head up high
When you're trembling
That's when the magic happens
And the stars gather by your side
Sayin'
Rise up to the light in the sky, yeah
Let the light lift your heart up
Burn your flame
through the night, yeah
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Can you hear it callin'?
Callin'
Yeah
Your destiny is coming close
So stand up and fight
So, go into that far-off land
And be one with the Great I Am
I am
A boy becomes a man
Whoa
Spirit
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Spirit
Yeah
Watch the heavens open
Open
Yeah
Your destiny is comin' close
So stand up and fight
So, go into that far-off land
And be one with the Great I Am
It's the circle of life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life
Circle of
Life!