Watch It: Director Julie Taymor Dissects the ‘Prodigal Son Story’ of The Lion King

With the gigantic success of the 1994 animated film and the long-running hit Broadway musical, the story of The Lion King is cherished by audiences all over the world. But did you know that the tale of Simba’s journey to become king of the Pridelands is steeped in literary tradition? In this video, director Julie Taymor talks about the classic themes of The Lion King, which she calls “a prodigal son story.” Resident director of the Broadway company Jen Bender discusses the pervasive theme of the Circle of Life throughout the show, while Disney Theatrical Group president Thomas Schumacher explains the reoccurring physical circles that show up throughout the production. Watch the video below, then get your tickets to see The Lion King when it plays Houston from July 10 through August 12.