I’ve never been enthusiastic about theater, so when my parents suggested I see “The Lion King” musical in London, I was hesitant at first. But by the end of the night, my whole perspective on theater had changed.

Stepping into the Lyceum Theatre, where great big pillars line the entrance and hundreds of excited theatergoers shuffled to their seats, I could feel the collective anticipation in the air, a sense of shared excitement I didn’t expect, and it made the experience special from the start.

“The Lion King” has a special place in my heart. It was one of my all-time favorite movies as a child, one I would rewatch on every sick day. Seeing the live theater production brought the movie back to life in a way I could never have imagined. The story I’d grown up with, the songs I knew, and the characters I adored took on a real-life form in front of my eyes. I found myself completely immersed in the performance. The talent, passion and dedication of the cast was moving, and I felt the love they put into every line, every note and every gesture.

The show began with an unforgettable scene. As the lights dimmed and the first drumbeats from the pit orchestra thumped, the stage exploded with a stunning parade of life-size zebras, giraffes and elephants prancing and moving gracefully. Dreamlike, the boundaries between theater and reality blurred. The costumes flashed by in an array of textures, including flowy fabrics and corsets woven with grass. Head dresses in bright reds, yellows and oranges sported intricate beadwork that brought the animals to life, the lions leaping, elephants stomping, and hyenas creating mischief.

The stage design transported the audience to the African savannah with rocky cliffs and swaying grasses. There was no need to stretch my imagination; “The Lion King” set did all the work for me. Pieces of the stage rose and fell, as the scenes shifted from. Many times, I forgot I was in a theater altogether; it felt as though I was right there on the savannah, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild.

The Elephant Graveyard was an amazing set piece. Rotating elephant skeletons filled the stage, casting shadows over the scene. The sheer size and movement of the skeletons made me feel small and vulnerable. You could sense the danger in the air.

The show’s pacing slowed during a few moments, causing the energy to dip. For example, some of the transitional scenes while the crew shifted large set pieces behind the curtain, and some of the dialogue between Simba and Nala felt a bit drawn out. In those moments, I found myself itching for the next dramatic entrance. But once the action picked up, I lost myself in the show once again.

“The Lion King” musical completely changed the way I see theater. A show I thought would be boring and unenjoyable opened my eyes to a new avenue of entertainment. The cast’s relentless energy, phenomenal set design and familiar songs like “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “I can’t wait to be king” brought everything together to support the phenomenal musical production of “The Lion King.”