[quoted from the July 1, 1994 issue of the Disneyland Line, weekly Cast Member newsletter:] SIMBA BEGINS HIS REIGN AT THE KINGDOM An eerie hush calls over the Pride Lands as the creatures great and small bow their heads in silent reverence. Their new King has ascended Pride Rock to commune with his forefathers. Like a clap of thunder, the wise and powerful Mufasa's voice rings out from the heavens . . . "Simba, a king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. Although the sun has on my time, just remember that I will always be there to guide you. And now, Simba, it is time for you to take your rightful place in the circle--t Circle of Life." A shrill tribal chant pierces the stillness. The rhythmic beat of African drums permeates the air, pounding out a hypnotic beat straight through to the soul. Just as the fur of the great cat stands on end, shivers rundown your spine as emotions are stirred deep within. The powerful music swells and in perfect unison like an innate ritual, the animals stomp the ground. In an exuberant celebration of the circle of life, they dance with wild abandon and reverent emotion. A tribal dancer hands you the music-making rain stick and encourages you to keep the contagious beat. Absorbed in the music the rhythm, and the exotic pageantry, you become part of the celebration--The Lion King Celebration --our all-new street show . A menagerie of exotically costumed animals, tribal dancers, an array of endearing characters transform the parade route each day into the Savannah, the Rain Forests, and the Pride Lands of Africa in celebration of our newest animated feature. Traveling along the parade route to the tune of "I Just Can't Wait to be King", the caravan stops at four spots to perform an exhilarating five-minute show to the song "Circle of Life". From the first glimpse of this extraordinary show it's obvious that this is no ordinary Disneyland parade. From the exotic costumes, to the ornate floats, the attention to authenticity and African realism is apparent. Designer Steve Bass explains, "What we wanted to achieve was a sophisticated, artistic feel. We're not trying to retell The Lion King story with this show. What we've created are three different African environments - the Savannah, the Rain Forest, and the Pride Lands - and a fictitious tribe of African natives who, through their rituals, are celebrating the circle of Life and Simba's role as King. The Lion King Celebration breaks new ground as a street performance by employing many elements which have never been used in a Disney parade. Explains Show Director Robert Ponce, "This is really an incredible show because we have incorporated so many exciting technologies that have created some of the most outstanding characters and show elements, "The list of unique show elements includes remote control-operated units, puppets, an Audio-Animatronics figure, waterfalls, a live pigeon release, rain, smoke, and more. [photo caption] In an exhilarating display of exotic costumes, brilliant choreography, energizing music, and stunning special effects, the celebration of the Circle of Life fills the streets of Simba's new Kingdom The Magic Kingdom- each day this summer. [photo caption] In a style reminiscent of Cirque de Soleil, 10 gymnasts perform as pole climbers. Holes were actually drilled along the parade route in strategic spots in which these performers insert a 13-foot pole. Once in place they perform incredible feats of strength and grace by climbing, levitating from, and spiraling down these poles. [photo caption] A menagerie of exotically as the awesome realism of the giraffes is created through puppetry. Manipulated from within, the giraffes come to life with full movement of the facial features, head, neck, and parts of the body. [continued on message 2] [quoted from the July 1, 1994 issue of the Disneyland Line, weekly Cast Member newsletter:] SIMBA BEGINS HIS REIGN AT THE KINGDOM (part 2) In production for more than a year, brainstorming for the show began long before the film was nearing completion. "Although we weren't able to see the complete film, it was clear that what we were dealing with was an extraordinary opportunity to do something really different," said Robert. "Puppetry and remote control have always been interests of mine, and I knew that if we applied puppetry and remote-controlled units at Disneyland, we could do the best. "I knew right away that puppetry would be the only clear way to represent some of these animals," Robert continued. "W couldn't have Simba walking around on two feet, so this show just lends itself to puppetry because we're able to achieve the realism we need to see." The show's nine puppets represent what Robert calls the primary animals. The secondary animals such as gazelles, leopards and wildebeests are artistic interpretations. And still other animals are tribal interpretations. "All of th key characters look the way you would expect them to, and other animals are purely artistic," said Robert. "While we couldn't put Simba on two legs, conversely, we couldn't put all of the animals on four legs - it wouldn't be enough Show. Enough show it is. A traveling special effects show of sorts, The Lion King Celebration features an array of effects that make this show a spectacular sensation. Robert explains, "When we get to the final 30 seconds of the show portion, multiple things begin to happen. The sun begins to radiate, the gourds handing from the drum float begin to smoke with burning incense, the Rain Forest trees actually begin to rain, the gazelle tree will spin, bringing the hugewind chimes to musical life, and the giraffes will raise up these beautiful long flowing African tapestries. Then, at the final climax of the show, the performers will release white pigeons which are housed in the floats. We'll be releasing 400 of these homing pigeons every day." Adding further to the show's uniqueness is that Robert calls a double decker effect. "Even if you're sitting back - way back - you're going to be able to see this show, because what we've done is incorporate a whole second story of performance. We have elements such as the drum dancers, pole climbers, giraffes, Simba, the monkeys in the trees, and more, that are all up high,: he said. The first of the show's three units, the Savannah, is lead by two incredibly realistic-looking rhinos and seven tribal dancers adorned with ornate costumes and headdresses, each representing a different animal. Following the rhinos is the show's first float, which carries Rafiki, Zazu and two giraffes that reach 22 feet into the air. "On this first float alone th are three things we have never done before," said Robert. "Zazu is a fully-programmed Audio-Animatronics figure; there is an actual waterfall over the rocks, and the giraffes are puppets." [photo caption] Watch out! There's more than one reason why they call it the Rain Forest. The gigantic bull elephant, one of the show's nine puppets, actually sprays water on unsuspecting victims. [photo caption] Another unique feature in the production of this show were the seven separate auditions held to cast the immensely talented performers in the show. Auditions were held for African-American dancers, male and female dancers, gymnasts, drummers, puppeteers, and remote control operators. [photo caption] Incredible attention to detail is apparent in each of the show's floats, including the breathtaking gazelle tree. Its top decorated with thousands of feathers, its base adorned with intricately fashioned and hand-painted gazelles, and the underside of its base painted with the story of Mufasa's death, this single push unit is a study in intricacy . [photo caption] An unlikely duo, Timon the meercat; and Pumbaathe wart hog, provide hilarious non-stop interaction. As Pumbaa calls out directions, Timon; chases and tosses a tasty bug treat to his pal. [photo caption] Rafiki and an Audio-Animatronics Zazu impart their wisdom to Guests they lead the procession along the parade route. [continued on message 3] quoted from the July 1, 1994 edition of the Disneyland Line, the weekly Cast Member newsletter: SIMBA BEGINS HIS REIGN AT THE KINGDOM page 3 The giraffes are just two of the show's many puppets. So what distinguishes them as puppets rathe than just costumes? "All of the puppets are so incredible. You've never seen anything like this before," said Robert. "With the giraffes, for instance, we're able to manipulate them so that the entire head and neck comes down, the head turns, the ears move the eyes blink the mouth moves and one leg moves. Our Guests are going to be blown away." Following the first float are eight graceful dancing gazelles and a huge feathered gazelle tree pushed by tribal wildebeests. "The gazelle tree is just one of the elements of the show that is not intended to look 'real', " said Steve "The thought is that it's the artistic creation of these natives and a part of ritual. What I tried to do was interpret the story through the aesthetics of African art." In his research of African art designs, Steve discovered many patterns which he has employed throughout the show. From a braid pattern on the gazelle tree to the knots in the Rain Forest trees which represent the symbol for infinity each artistic application was fraught with purpose. "Many elements of African art are very repetitious cyclical patterns--they're without end just like the Circle of Life, so I used many of those un-ending patterns in the design." said Steve. Two crocodiles lead the Rain Forest unit of the show. But these aren't just any crocodiles. They are 11-foot-long remote controlled crocodiles--complete is with snapping jaws, moving feet, shifty eyes and swishing tails. You'll keep your feet off the street when this fearsome looking duo slithers by. They are followed by white feathered tropical cranes. A walk-around baby elephant puppet and six slinky leopards are reminiscent of Cats-type characters precede the Rain Forest float. An enormous bull elephant is perched high atop the float at the brink of cascading wet fall and monkeys swing from the trees. "Again we have elements in this float that we've never used before," said Robert. "We have running water on a float, the elephant is fully puppeted, and we've actually suspended performers The monkeys are suspended from the trees by bungee-type cables so they be able to bounce, do 360 degree rolls, and swing from one tree to another." At the back of the Rain Forest float are the film's comedic duo, Pumbaa and Timon. As Pumbaa, another of the show's puppets sits nestled among a pile of bugs he calls to Timon, who scurries about behind the float in pursuit of remot controlled bugs, "Hey, Timon, there's one behind you. No, now go left, go left! The Pride Lands unit follows lead by tribal stiltwalkers two of which are dressed as elephants, the other as a giraffe. The float that follows carries six musicians who play African drums and shekeres, hollowed out and beaded gourds that create a percussive sound when shook. "These guys are incredible," said Robert. "We have drummers who have played with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey --you name it. Three dancers costumed as tribal birds perform their tribal ritual-type dance in syncopated rhythm to the drums. The final float features puppets Nala and Simba. Simba stands regally at the summit of Pride Rock observing "Everything that the light touches" while Nala waits in quiet repose at the base of the rock. Overhead the face of Mufasa is seen reflected in the heavens in the form of the radiating sun. His message is clear: Celebrate the Circle of Life. [photo caption] The cast of The Lion King Celebration, along with a 600-member choir, premiered our newest show for celebrities and members of the media on June 26. With temperatures reaching into the 100's, a note of realism--unwelcome as it was--was added to the event.