By Hayley Goldberg, Staff Writer
The lights dim. Theatre goers shuffle into their seats. A child who’s never been to a theater before cries out, “It’s starting!” The awe of the moment radiates in the energy of the audience.
Rafiki, a baboon and spiritual advisor to the lion pride, opens the show with a cry from the stage, “Nants ingonyama bagithi baba.” It’s something that many of us have heard before, but that very few get to experience like this. This was not just any performance of The Lion King, but the final performance of a record-breaking actor, Tshidi Manye. The longest running Rafiki in Broadway history, she has performed in more than 9,000 productions of The Lion King in front of an estimated 15 million people. To experience her final performance was something I will never forget.
There’s no moment in The Lion King more impactful than sitting in an aisle seat while the massive elephant, controlled by four actors, stomps past you. You could feel the emotions from the cast as they approached the stage with Rafiki for the last time. The harmonies seem to have added purpose as the actors recognize the meaning of the circle of life that will start over again at curtain call. Yet what makes The Lion King so timeless is that Rafiki is only one voice in a larger chorus. The story is told through every puppet, every drumbeat and every harmony that rises from the stage — and on this night, all of it carried the weight of history.
The opening number is just one of many artistically beautiful aspects of the show. There’s something so magical about the puppetry and costumes that makes you feel as if you are at Pride Rock along with the characters. Everything from the individual blades of grass to the towering giraffes add to the majesty of the show. The way the birds soar above your head, the intricate details of each lion’s mane — all of this together creates an immersive experience that is adored by audience members of all ages.
Each character has a sophisticated costume along with complex makeup curated masterfully for the full experience. Rafiki’s unmistakable look combines a red base with yellow eyeshadow and bold blue cheeks, instantly evoking the mandrill. Other characters such as Pumba and the Hyenas are decorated with greyscale makeup to blend in with their costumes. Most faces are painted in the style of African and Asian art with bright colors influenced by the African landscape. Makeup is a piece of continuity between the young and adult versions of characters through the show.
A signifying theme of the show is strength and resilience through the difficult things in life. With the musical and lyrical genius of Elton John and Tim Rice, the music of the show perfectly signifies this, Rafiki’s songs especially, from the soaring power of “Circle of Life” to the haunting reassurance of “He Lives in You.” Even the wordless lament of “Rafiki Mourns” captures the raw ache of loss, reminding the audience that grief is part of the journey toward healing. Rafiki’s songs chart the emotional landscape of the story, guiding both Simba and the audience from sorrow to hope, from despair to renewal.
Rafiki is the vessel of spirituality in the show. The fact that many of the musical’s most thematically significant songs are hers demonstrates the way music and spirituality combine — her song is prayer.
Not only has Manye affected audiences with her remarkable performances, but she has been called the “heart and soul of The Lion King” by director Julie Taymor according to Playbill. This was evident by the way the cast interacted with her on stage and by their heartwarming messages as Manye bowed for the final time. Pearl Khwezi, the actor playing Nala, remarked during curtain call, “To us, she has been a sister, a mother, a friend…” Rafiki was not simply her character, but her truth — a role which she shared not only her talent but her heart.
Manye’s final bow was more than the end of one actor’s chapter. It was a reminder of how The Lion King continues to touch audiences with its message of resilience, identity and the eternal cycle of life. Her presence on stage has been a constant heartbeat in a show that blends music, movement and storytelling into something both intimate and universal. As the curtain closed on her remarkable journey, it became clear that while performers may change, the spirit of The Lion King roars on, leaving audiences inspired, moved and feeling part of something much bigger than themselves.
Photo Credit: Unsplash