Return of the King of the Jungle

Julie Taymor’s imaginative stage adaptation of Disney’s animated epic The Lion King has won Tony awards, circled the globe and generally continued to enchant audiences since its debut almost a decade ago. The all-ages story -- of a young lion (Simba) who must grow physically and emotionally to embrace his full potential -- set to the music and lyrics of Elton John and Tim Rice would be enough for most people; after all, it worked on the big screen. But Taymor crafted otherworldly costumes and puppetry effects to create Pride Rock and its animal denizens. It’s a spectacle, in the grandest sense of the word. The Lion King returns to the Fox Theatre (527 North Grand Boulevard; 314-534-1111 or www.fabulousfox.com) for a limited run lasting from Thursday, June 21, through Sunday, July 29 (no performances on Monday); you can catch it at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 22. Tickets are $25 to $75.
Tuesdays-Sundays. Starts: June 21. Continues through July 29