Special Sub-Topic: "The Lion King" on Broadway -Costumes and Puppets Click Here To Play: "The Lion King" on Broadway -Costumes and Puppets

Approximately how many puppets and masks, in total, are used in "The Lion King?"

250. According to puppet supervisor Anne Salt, who was part of the original behind-the-scenes crew for "The Lion King," there are over 250 masks and puppets used throughout the show.

What is inside Zazu's neck that makes it so flexible?

A "slinky" toy. Puppet designer Michael Curry designed Zazu with a baby slinky inside his neck to enable the actor controlling him to create "wave-like" motions during certain scenes and increase the overall flexibility of the puppet.

Timon's puppet is an example of what form of ancient Japanese theater?

Bunraku. Timon is a classic example of Bunraku puppetry, where the actor externally controls a 2 1/2-4 foot tall puppet in front of him via rods and levers.

Which of the following animals is not represented during the opening "Circle of Life" scene in "The Lion King?"

Hippopotamus. Interestingly there is no hippo seen at any point during "The Lion King", though they are prominent African animals. The cheetah enters from stage right, the gazelles leap in from stage left, and the elephant lumbers through the aisles of the theater and comes onstage via steps located upstage left.

Besides Scar, which other character has a costume that is battery-operated?

Mufasa. The masks of both Scar and Mufasa are controlled by a switch hidden underneath the performer's costume. When pressed, the masks move down in front of the actor's face, as in the scene where Mufasa "confronts" Scar.

After the "waterfall" scene in which Timon is dragged downstream and nearly eaten by crocodiles, he emerges from the river with what?

A fish. Timon comes back onstage with a fish. He throws it to Pumbaa, who catches it in his large mouth on cue, much to the audience's delight.

How tall are the giraffe puppets featured during the "I Just Can't Wait to be King" scene?

18 feet. The giraffe puppets used during this scene, at 18 feet, are by far the tallest in the show. At the end of the song, they bow over the orchestra pit into the audience.

In how many separate scenes is "Rafiki's Tree" shown in "The Lion King"?

3. Rafiki's intricately designed tree is shown three times during the show: 1) During the scene where she tells an African story 2) After the stampede scene where she wipes out the image of the presumably dead Simba 3) After Endless Night, where the image of Simba reappears on the tree, meaning that Simba is alive

Which of the following props is not seen at any time during the musical?

Spider web. There is no spider web in "The Lion King". The inflatable trees are from Hakuna Matata, Scar throws a fake zebra leg for the hyenas to eat prior to "Be Prepared", and the rubber mouse, which is the smallest prop used in the show, is caught by Scar just after "Circle of Life" ends.

How much does Sarabi's lioness mask weigh?

4.5 ounces. According to Julie Taymor's "Pride Rock on Broadway," Sarabi's mask weighs in at a paltry 4.5 ounces, due to the extremely lightweight carbon fiber material used to build the masks, which are then painted to look like wood.