Emotional 'The Lion King' Cast Reunites For First Rehearsal Since Pandemic - Inspirational Videos

Check out this emotional performance of ‘Circle of Life’ from ‘The Lion King’ as the cast of the show reunites for the first time for rehearsal since the pandemic started.

As live theater starts to open back up again, preparations are in full swing as casts reunite to prepare to welcome audiences back. In this video, the cast of Disney’s award-winning musical ‘The Lion King’ come together to sing the opening number for the first time in 16 months! The emotions are high, the energy is palpable, and the talent is off the charts!

This is the West End cast, and they perform the show at the Lyceum Theatre in London. The cast is led by Kayi Ushe in the role of Simba, George Asprey as Scar, David Blake as Banzai, Janique Charles as Nala, Gugwana Dlamini as Rafiki, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Gary Jordan as Zazu, Jamie McGregor as Timon, Melone M'Kenzy as Shenzi, and Mark Roper as Pumbaa.

At the start of this video, Gugwana Dlamini, who plays Rafiki, gets emotional as she prepares to sing the first note of the song ‘Circle of Life.’ The group claps for her and encourages her as she tries to start again. Everyone in the room was feeling how powerful of a moment it was, and many had to wipe away tears as the song went on. Imagine how amazing it is going to feel for these actors when they finally get to perform in front of a live audience after so many months of being away from the stage!

“I’m in tears watching this for the third time in a row,” writes one person on YouTube after seeing the video. “This song already hits a very specific place emotionally, but you can feel their emotions as they sing. Music charms the soul and is the true bridge between us as people.”

“This has me sobbing,” comments another person online. “This is one of the most powerful and amazing moments I’ve seen in a musical and to see just how moved everyone was to be able to sing it together again was so incredibly moving. Music is beautiful and powerful and people really need this.”

It is great to see the world opening back up again and for live theater to be back to bring hope and joy to audiences everywhere!