It’s good to see the ‘King’
Joan Marcus
Disney’s “The Lion King” will run through Sept. 29 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
Joan Marcus
Disney’s “The Lion King” will run through Sept. 29 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
Disney’s “The Lion King” will run through Sept. 29 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
Joan Marcus
Joan Marcus
Disney’s “The Lion King” will run and thrill fans of all ages through Sept. 29 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.
Hollick
For the actors who bring to life “The Lion King,” currently being performed on a Pittsburgh stage, the work is both demanding and rewarding.
Just ask Michael Hollick.
Hollick, who is the standby actor for both Scar and Pumbaa for the national tour, has spent the past year and a half touring the country to play two key roles in the production.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to do both,” said Hollick, a native of the eastern shore of Maryland and Delaware who attended a theater program at Carnegie Mellon University and performed with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.
As a “Lion King” standby, Hollick has to be at the theater for every show, which is performed eight times a week. On average, he performs about twice a month, though that is a very rough estimate.
An actor who played Scar once had an injury so Hollick got to play the role for six weeks.
“At any moment I can be called and told I’m on that night,” he said, adding that he’s been called on his way to the theater before.
“My training has really allowed me to be able to step in at the drop of a hat.”
Actors must arrive to the theater 30 minutes before show time, though Hollick has to arrive earlier if he’s performing as Scar because of the makeup.
Hollick’s roles are night and day. Scar is the mean uncle; Pumbaa the loveable warthog.
“Both roles are physically and vocally demanding.”
Scar has a lot of stage time and is a tough character, while Pumbaa is more fun throughout the show, he said.
“He’s kind of there for the audience as a reactionary character,” Hollick said, adding that Pumbaa gets the good one-liners.
Meanwhile, Scar is actively trying to change the situation in the story.
After playing Scar, Hollick said he’s exhausted and there’s a lot of sweating.
“It gets really hot up there.”
Part of that heat is a result of the production’s complex costumes. A motor controls the masks via a mechanism on the finger.
“It’s a blast to work the mask on Scar,” Hollick said.
Both characters’ costumes are heavy — Scar weighs just under 40 pounds while Pumbaa weighs just under 50, he said.
“All of the costumes are very intricate.” They’re all handmade and measured for the specific actor.
“They create incredible costumes.”
It’s good to be the King
In its 16th year, “The Lion King” is the highest-grossing show in New York history and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. The award-winning musical’s sold-out six-week premiere engagement in Pittsburgh in 2004 was followed by a sold-out, record-breaking return run in 2008 at the Benedum Center.
So what makes the theatrical production, which runs at the Benedum through Sept. 29, so popular?
“The subject matter is Shakespearean. The story is so relatable to audiences of any age,” Hollick said.
The actor described the production as funny, child-friendly, creative and imaginative. The show is always relevant and will always capture people’s imaginations, he said.
Pure Disney magic
Disney “broke the mold with this show,” said Hollick, who previously performed in Disney’s “Tarzan.”
Hollick said he is very honored to be a part of Disney.
“As an artist, you couldn’t want more. Disney is very loyal.”
Hollick performed in the Las Vegas production of “The Lion King” before joining the national tour. He has a lot of great memories from the tour, but he remembers one particular moment while the tour was in Orlando.
Hollick’s first year on the road was the 10th anniversary of the tour. Disney threw a big anniversary party at Epcot that included a fireworks show.
“It was one of the best parties I’ve been to in my life,” he said. “It was magical. Nothing short of magical.”
Four on the road
Hollick and his family — wife Angela, son Max, 3, and newborn daughter Eva — travel the country with the national tour. Hollick said the tour has had its challenges, but “it’s really been a joy.”
Because the tour provides such an unconventional schedule, they get to spend lots of time together. Each month brings a new city, and each city brings new experiences.
“We’re intrepid travelers, especially when food is involved,” Hollick said, adding that his family tries to do as much exploring as possible in each city.
Hollick and his family sometimes caravan with other members of the cast.
“Life on the road has been wonderful.”
Hollick said there are a lot of children on tour and the community travels together.
“It’s fairly insular and we get to know people pretty well,” which helps build a strong community, he said.
Michael and Angela document their travels on the website 3fortheroad.com. In a recent blog post, Angela wrote, “We travel with plenty of people who are not just Mike’s colleagues, but dear friends. Home is them, our road comrades. We eat together, we explore new cities together. We host play dates, we have mama nights out, we take care of one another’s kiddos — just like, well, a non-traveling family — except our collective landscapes change every month or so. But our friendships grow stronger.”
Michael said the real challenge is moving each month.
“Everything’s gotta fit in the car.”
After about a year and a half and at least a dozen cities, it’s become doable for them.
They often try to pare down and give things to Goodwill. He and his wife also have to practice packing things into the van.
“It’s a big Jenga game trying to fit everything.”
During his month-long stay in Pittsburgh, Hollick said plans to visit CMU, Squirrel Hill, Primanti Brothers, and take a drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnels to see the Pittsburgh skyline. He also has a personal day planned for next Sunday’s Steelers home opener against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field. He’s seen the Steelers play in different stadiums but never at Heinz Field.
For ticket and performance information, visit www.trustarts.org.