How ‘The Lion King’ Has Captivated Broadway For 25 Years | Vanity Fair
To celebrate 25 years of ‘The Lion King’ On Broadway, go behind the curtain with the creators as they break down the craftsmanship and artistry behind every aspect of the long-running musical. From operating over 200 puppets to dressing the actors in roughly 2000 costume pieces each night, see how ‘The Lion King’ has captivated audiences for 25 years.
Director: Jameer Pond
Director of Photography: Cole Evelev
Editor: Matt Colby
Featuring:
– Lynda White, Puppet Supervisor
– Stacey Stephens, Associate Costume Designer (US) & Wardrobe Supervisor
– Antonia Gianino, Stage Manager
– Ntomb’khona Dlamini, Performer (Ensemble, Rafiki understudy)
– Shacura Wade, Performer (Ensemble, Cheetah)
Creative Producer: Frank Cosgriff
Coordinating Producer: Madison Coffey
Associate Producer: Jess Gordon
Line Producer: Romeeka Powell
Production Manager: Mark Bond
Production Coordinator: Jamal Colvin
Camera Operators: Jack Belisle, Brad Wickham
Gaffer: Gautam Kadian
Sound Mixer: Rehanna Chandan
Production Assistant: Lea Donenberg
Post Production Supervisor: Nick Ascanio
Post Production Coordinators: Jovan James
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Special Thanks: Michael Strassheim
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0:00 “There’s over 200 puppets that are in the show”
01:45 Lion Mask Detail
2:47 Operating Zazu
3:58 Operating The Cheetah Puppet
5:04 Costumes
6:17 Rafiki’s Costume
9:14 The Scar Costume
9:57 Stage Managing The Lion King
11:04 Pride Rock
11:59 25 Years Of The Lion King
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@bravesno1303
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Rafiki a female? What's happened to the Lion King?!
@juddy-k4m
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Who made zazu
@takeisha1220
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
It was magnificent
@spencershawndawkins8164
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
The Lion King is a celebrated as a Broadway masterpiece! Ever since the year it hit the stage in New York City, the show was a complete legend. The dancers and the performances are beautiful, the acting and the costumes, masks and puppetry are amazing. 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏
@Bringmethehorizondude
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Just saw the show in Dallas. Watching this makes me wonder how I didn’t have to pay more. The detail and craftsmanship is off the charts.
@cherish5145
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Just saw the lion king on Broadway after a lifetime of waiting and it didn't disappoint!
@mollythegee
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I've seen this four times already, and now I need to see it again 😭
@janenacario7527
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
me
@victoriasunivers
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I saw it back in 2021 with my dad. Truly so awesome
@1Airwaving
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
!!!!!Thank you~
@OtisElena
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
We saw the musical last night! Incredible costumes!!!! Just mesmerizing! Huge thanks and admiration to the costumers
@SandraRodriguesdeSousa236
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Que legal
@SucetteLife
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I saw the show in London two weeks ago and I’ m very curious of how the hyennas costumes works
@BH752-h7q
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I would like it to se the original in London or on broadway. I have just seen the German version of the lion king in Hamburg, it was so amazing and I really loved it.
@jasongreen9371
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
My dream role is to play Scar in The Lion King! Would be “a dream come true” to be able to step into his fabulous costume and don the mask ❤ I won’t ever give up on this dream! Hopefully one day!
@sarahmaher4825
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
No It’s amazing 🤩
@Valecuentasas
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Yee
@sharonmedeiros9819
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
It would be a dream come true for me to see The Lion King on Broadway. Its so far out of my reach financially, but I'll keep dreaming. It must be a truly magical experience. 🦁🐘🐆
@martinfreeman6491
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE. Front row lookinf all around the theater for the animals to start. Then the tears
@danielkoo9696
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
p3n1s
@Izzy_Gyrl
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I had the pleasure of seeing this on broadway as a child twice and both times I was absolutely mesmerized by the beauty of it all. One of the most incredible and stunning productions of all time. This show furthered my love for theatre, culture and history. The melding that this show brought of those aspects shook me to my absolute core as a child. I'm now in college dual majoring in theatre and history and I hope to be a historical consultant/researcher for TV, film, and live performance as this show was sparked my fascination with this field in the first place. To see the care and dedication to the minute details in the costumes that many in the audience may not have the chance of seeing up close but still putting them in and honoring the culture with it's majesty and beauty is just amazing. <3
@Johnwho-r9s
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I watched this in Dubai truly amazing
@judiesmith42
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
In the show there’s about 1,500 to 2,000 pieces used in the show
@judiesmith42
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I never knew zazu was a complicated puppet to used
@judiesmith42
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
The prongs on mufasas mask are made with burnt peacock feathers that are derided and then bleached and sewn into those prongs
@judiesmith42
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
They use yak hair, horse hair to make the lions mane
@judiesmith42
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Double event-where you see the actors face,the costumes and the puppets all at once
@deniseharchuk885
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
The Lion King was amazing. Those puppeteers, I think that's what these actors would be called, are so talented.
@casanovaa__
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
When I was about 5 years old, my dad took me and my sister to see this play and oh my god I want to go back and see it again. The play was amazing, I can't really remember much but as an adult, I would LOVE to see this play again.
@yamyam_1978
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
London 2x … absolutely phenomenal 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
@justhereokff
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
It should be on Disneyplus like Hamilton
@rogergarcia3021
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Thank you all at lion King for your efforts. Thanks again
@shaliseshaw9385
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
3:36 The Zazu puppet is so cute. 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🐘🐘🐘🐘🦁🦁🐕🐊🐊🐊🐊🐕🐕🐕🐕🦏🦏🦏🦏🦏🦏🦛🦛🦛🦛🦒🦒🐆🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🐗🐜🐜🐛🐛🪲🪲🦗🦗🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎺🎺🎺🎸🎸🥁🥁🥁🥁🪘📺📽️📽️🎥🎥🎥🎬🗽🗼
@LaurenMurphyBowen
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
It’s really cool
@tommyvercetti7326
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
That's dumb
@Emilia923
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Always wondered why zazu was white
@margaretsims4344
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Went to the Palace Theatre Manchester a couple of days ago. Exactly the same puppets and backdrops
@havehope646
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Jesus loves you so much that he died on the cross for you so that you can have eternal life with him so please repent and spread the word of God 😀
@annikaruelo1383
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Watched this on the way to the tour cast in Chicago on its closing night! Very excited!
@mrartdeco
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
“What do you do for a living”
“Zebra”
@marlonforbes7529
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Loved it wow ❤️👍
@jasmineharden5958
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
I seen this in London and I never been more amazed 😭😭 I loved it!!
@cactusbart710
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Why Zazu the bird the only one that don’t have real feathers 😂
@danebell1
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
WE LOVE LYNDA 😍
@Peter_Sokunbi
October 4, 2025 at 12:55 pm
More behind the scene Diversity.
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