WEBVTT
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Broadway and brought 50 and best people around the world experience.
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We are talking about Disney.
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The unforgettable music and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular dance.
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We promised this is one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace our stage.
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Disney the Lion King arrived on April 8th and is in Grand Rapids for three weeks until April 26th.
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Alright, today we are talking with Darlene Drew, a flautist, and she's actually from Grand Rapids.
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That's pretty interesting.
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She's coming back home, and we're also going to be talking to Danny Grummick, who will be playing the role of Pumba, one of the biggest characters in that entire show.
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Well, welcome to the both of you, Danny and Darlene.
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This is going to be a fun conversation.
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I mean, we've got Lion King in Grand Rapids for three weeks.
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I know, Darlene, you have a connection, but Danny, have you ever been to Grand Rapids before?
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Never.
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Looking forward to it.
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Ah, and Darlene, you're you're a Grand Rapidian.
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I am, as of about two and a half years ago, yes.
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Love that.
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We're very excited to have Lion King here before.
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It's been a few years since it's come through our uh area, and we're definitely looking forward to one of the biggest, most fantastic, most family-friendly oriented shows, I think that's out there right now.
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You're a flautist, Darlene.
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That's correct.
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And Dan, you're on uh in the role of Pumba, which is a big, big character, uh, no pun intended in this uh in this show.
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Darlene, how did you come to find uh the Lion King and find theater in general and and music in general?
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Uh well I've been playing shows in Chicago, which is where my um music career was situated.
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And um uh I had heard about Lion King, I was playing other shows, and I actually got the opportunity to go uh sit in the pit in LA um because a friend of mine was playing the show there, and uh completely blew me away.
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I'm like, oh my gosh, I have to learn how to do this.
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It was way out of my comfort zone.
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But um uh I started playing on the Chicago production that started in 2003.
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Wow, okay.
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So you've been you've been at this for quite some time now.
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Yep, on and off since then, yes.
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So Daddy, go ahead.
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You tell us uh how long have you been part of the show and how did you get involved?
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Yeah, absolutely.
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Uh so I've been with the show about a year and a half now.
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Uh started September of uh 2024.
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Um the the show itself, though, it had been on kind of my radar um for about three to three and a half years before I I finally booked it.
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Um, you know, obviously it's one of those iconic shows.
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I I live in New York and uh, you know, come from a musical theater background, was pursuing a Broadway career in New York.
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Uh you know, obviously Pumba is such an iconic and fun character.
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It's it was definitely one that was on my my list of you know dream roles.
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Um and so, you know, over the years there, you know, different open calls in in New York and uh, you know, kind of the the part would pop up and kind of go away.
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So it's sort of like every six to eight months would kind of come back across my radar, and I kind of kept showing up and kept dreaming.
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And then uh, you know, luckily uh a couple of summers ago um the part was available and and they brought me in for callbacks and and sort of the rest is history.
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So uh yeah, super grateful and and you know, lucky that it worked out, and yeah, just excited to be here.
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We're always interested when we talk to those on the road, which is most people, because of this long-term relationship you kind of have to create with your castmates or your fellow musicians.
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While you're on the road, so much depends on that connection between you performers.
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How do you build and maintain that kind of trust with each other over over time, you know, especially when you're tired, maybe, or when, you know, it's it's week after week after week.
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I'll start with you, Darlene.
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You and you and the pit, how do you and your fellow musicians uh entertain each other and keep excited?
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Uh well, the entertainment factors kind of built in with us.
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And uh uh for a long time I was the only woman in the pit.
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So I kind of became one of the guys.
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And uh, you know, with some some you know, there's a real we actually span three generations amongst the 12 of us in the pit.
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Um, we have a 20-something and then all the way up to uh me of social security age.
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There's a couple of us.
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So we always joke about our grandchildren, you know, playing alongside of us.
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And um yeah, there's so you know, we we have a real diversity of ages, and and some are traveling with families like Danny is.
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And um, you know, we either do stuff by ourselves or we have some groupings.
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It's it's it's actually really great, you know.
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It's uh everybody's always there when you need somebody, and um it's a really great group dynamic, both you know, just outside the theater and also playing with them as well.
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We're a real tight knit group.
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Well, and that inherently speaks to kind of the nature of the show, you know, finding your family, finding your community, traveling with your community.
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Uh, Danny, how about you?
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What on that stage every night, you're obviously uh out there quite a bit during the course of the show uh and and having a lot of fun.
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How do you keep that connection going?
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How do you keep that excitement ginned up during the during each show?
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Absolutely.
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Um I think Darlene hit the nail on the head.
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I think, you know, it really is uh a family feel backstage.
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Um, you know, I think most most casts always connect or, you know, always gel well.
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And uh, you know, but m most shows I've done in the past have had an end date, you know, and uh we're in the fortunate position where the show is, you know, the sort of well-oiled machine that's been around for, you know, going on 30 years and um no real end in sight, you know.
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So it's uh you really uh, you know, you make those connections and those kind of long-lasting connections.
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Um, you know, you kind of become fast friends, you know.
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You there's there's days, you know, you you sort of bicker as family, you know, and everything.
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I come from a huge family back in St.
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Louis, um, where I'm where I'm originally from.
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And uh I always joke anytime the cast gets together or we all hang out, it really is like an extended family party.
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You know, we I we take our almost two-year-old and she goes and runs with the other kids, and you know, it's just it's a it's a blast.
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But um, I gotta give on stage a lot of credit to um my counterpart, Nick Corleone, who plays uh Timon.
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Um just such an iconic actor.
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Uh he's been with the show almost 16 years now.
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When I came in, I thought for sure he was gonna, you know, say, Hey, rookie, go over here, say exactly like this, set me up here, and this is how I do it.
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Uh but the first one of the first things he said to me is, all right, how are we gonna make this duo our own?
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Um, and up with something that nobody's ever really done before with these two.
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And uh, you know, super grateful to him for you know being that open to be able to just to kind of play in the rehearsal room and and find our kind of groove and our kimon and pumba.
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Um and I think that's really um you know, really laid like some fantastic groundwork for sort of our relationship on and off stage.
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And um, you know, he's just a great guy.
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I can't say enough great things about him.
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And you know, love hanging out with him off stage and on.
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And uh, you know, I think that hopefully at least, you know, definitely uh comes through when uh when we hit the stage.
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You know what?
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I was shocked because back in December I actually went out to Seattle and Darlene and I got to meet you in person.
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We were in the pit with you and all of your flutes, and there's so many of them.
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But, you know, Danny, you had said something, you know, about having this sense of community.
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120 cast and crew is what I'm told that's part of this tour.
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It is like its own city on wheels when you're touring.
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So I'm always fascinated, you know, and in talking with uh various casts that come through.
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What makes you choose to go on the tour versus staying and really wanting to do it on Broadway in New York?
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And everybody has such a unique answer.
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So, Darlene, given you're here in Grand Rapids, what made you decide I'm gonna take this on the road?
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Uh well, originally when I first played the show in Chicago, I had no intention of touring.
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None.
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And circumstances kind of ending up being what they were.
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Um, I ended up um it was mainly my husband at the time.
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He's like, Oh my gosh, let's go.
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And I'm like, uh yes, but we just bought this farm.
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I have two horses and two dogs.
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I mean, how on earth could we do that?
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And somehow we made it happen.
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And at one point I even brought my horse along with me for comfort and traveled with her a bit.
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And um so that was kind of nutty, but uh, I'm glad I did it.
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It was it was a lot of fun, but uh you know, I thought it was gonna be for you know a year or so.
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A surprise.
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Longer than that.
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Well well Danny, and you're taking your family on your on the road.
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So uh that's gotta be a tough decision, but tell me why it made it easier for you to say, okay, let's go.
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Yeah, absolutely.
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Um, so my daughter was about four or five months old when we uh when we got out here.
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Um and yeah, it was uh my wife was, you know, the first thing I when I got the offer, and my agent was on the phone and I looked at my wife Marin and I said, Can we do this?
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And she said, We're all going.
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Um really all the credit goes to her.
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Um but yeah, I mean I think the I the amazing part about this show in particular is that there are so many families on the road that have been out here for you know for so long.
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I mean, uh uh Rue, one of our uh percussionists that are in sort of the perches uh stage right and left.
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Um, you know, he's been out here for years, he's raised two daughters on the road, he and his wife are out full time.
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And uh, you know, the one of the coolest things, like our our first couple of weeks, is uh his wife Christine came up to us and said, you know, hey, I have a a Google drive with like every city and you know, pediatricians or you know, where the child urgent care is, so just let me know what you need, you know.
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It's stuff that you never don't even really think about.
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Every packing up and uh trying to figure that out.
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Um, but it was so incredible to have that sort of community just to completely embrace us and say, you know, we got you, whatever you need.
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Um, you know, his oldest daughter has sort of become our full-time babysitter now, you know, so there's there's um so yeah, we're just we're having a blast and and loving every minute of it.
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I wonder because the show is familiar to a lot, right?
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Obviously, because of the movie and it's it's years ago now.
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Do either of you or both of you, right, sense that energy shift when you know the audience knows what's coming up or certain songs, you know, are about ready to light up the uh light up the room.
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Do you have a favorite time from from both perspectives, from the pit and from up on that stage where you're like, yeah, in about five minutes things are gonna get going, and this is this is where I'm just flying.
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I'm singing it or I I'm I'm fluting, you know, and you are right in you are right in the best mode of uh of your life there.
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Um yeah, I mean, it's funny because I mean the show for me is really a radio show, so it's all what I can hear because I can't see the stage.
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Um most of the time I can only we we actually do the conductor on a uh on camera because he's usually much higher up, and you know, we have to crane our necks up because the pit is usually pretty deep and we can't just look at him in, you know, physically for real.
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So we have little jumps, little visual numbers on our stands at him.
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And usually the front row is visible uh to us.
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So um we've had some good times, you know, reacting as a band to whoever is right behind the conductor there.
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And uh there's some good stories about that, but because a lot of times people don't realize they're on camera for the whole company.
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And uh so just seeing the reaction uh for me at the beginning of the show, you can tell when somebody's a newbie to the show and circle of life starts and when they realize that this enormous elephant is coming down the aisle, and just or some of them are crying.
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I mean, it's it it's really that's my favorite moment is to see the reaction um uh of the audience that's in the view of the camera.
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So that's that's it's kind of our connection to what's going on.
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That's a great peak behind the camera, and something I don't think a lot of people know about how some of this works.
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So if you're right behind the conductor, just know that everybody in the cast is watching you.
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So whatever you do, so Danny, they're watching you, Danny.
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So so what is it then that's your favorite part of the show, given that you can actually see?
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Yeah, absolutely.
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Uh I'll pick you back off of uh Darlene.
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Don't pick your nose, we'll see you.
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Um yeah, I think for me the uh the coolest part is hearing the kids gasp when Hakuna Matata starts.
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Oh yeah.
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You know, it's sort of the iconic song that every kid's waiting for, and you have a scene leading up to it, and then you hear Timon say, you know, Hakuna Matada.
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You know, and you have these hear all these kids gasp or the you know, the kids that jump on their their parents' laps.
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So that always uh, you know, really lifts us up and uh gives us a lot of energy to you know get through get through a really fun number and sort of en the act strong.
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So yeah.
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Well, three weeks.
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Both of you are here for three weeks, darling.
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This is nice because you actually get to be home home.
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Um, are you going to take the lead?
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Yeah, are you gonna take the lead and and show everybody around, take Danny and his fam out to maybe Frederick Meyer Gardens, you know, all the good things.
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You got a list for everybody?
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Uh well, you know, I always get their attention and they're like, Green Rapids, you know what's gonna be?
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I'm like, well, just so you know, it's been called Beer City in America.
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And they're like, oh then they're in.
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Okay, it's like, okay, we're good.
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And uh just you know, the riverfront and you know, such a beautiful city.
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And um, I always tell them I I you know, I'm all about food, so um, I'm like, you have to get to Horrocks Market and the downtown city market, and uh so that's that's my contribution.
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You know, it's like here's where you go to eat.
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Yeah.
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Oh well, we uh we can't wait to see.
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And Danny, pay attention to her when she gets here.
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This town town changes quite often.
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We've got a lot of awesome things to offer everybody.
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But we are about ready to wrap you up and let you guys go for the afternoon.
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We absolutely loved talking to you and finding out a few uh behind the scenes moments, some key information there.
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I do have one more question or comment from both of you on the way out the door.
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What do you want the audience to take away from this show?
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I'll start with you, Danny.
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Yeah, I think uh the biggest takeaway is just, you know, we we hope you love it and have, you know, as as great of an experience as as we you know have putting it on every night.
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Uh, you know, like I said, we really are a family up there, you know, and it is so much fun hearing the audience.
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We really thrive off that energy every night.
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Um, you know, the audience shows up and drills every night for us, and uh, we love that.
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So um, you know, we're we're we're giving it all for you, and then you know, we hope you just have a great time.
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If you've never seen it, you have to see it.
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Even if you've already seen it before, come see it again because it's timeless.
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There's something that you're going to see uh that you didn't see the last time, and like, oh, I didn't even notice that the first time around.
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All right, you two.
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Well, thank you again.
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We can't wait to see you gonna be hanging out for three weeks at DevOps Performance Hall.
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We appreciate you.
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Thanks so much.
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Back in December, I traveled with our friend Miranda from Wood TV and caught up with Tandy and Gilbert, and we tested them with some fun trivia.
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Okay, this is our BBR Backstage Buds podcast.
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We are live in Seattle right now.
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We're gonna play our little fun game that we do, okay?
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A little bit nameless tune.
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And so right now we've got the actors who play uh Simba and Nala Tembi.
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And we also have Gilbert.
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So I'm gonna say a line from one of the songs.
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You raise your hand and tell me what song it is.
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All right, here we go.
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First line.
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What a wonderful phrase.
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Oh, I think you'd be like, Akuna matata.
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You got it, all right.
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Number two, there's far too much to take in here.
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Oh, circle of life.
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Got it.
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We're one-one right now.
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Third question.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:07.119
Oh, the shame you were such a fool.
00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.279
Oh, akuna matata.
00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.480
Actually, I have be prepared.
00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.480
Oh, the shame, you were such a fool.
00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.440
Be prepared.
00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.160
Am I wrong?
00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:16.960
I could be wrong.
00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.079
I didn't do that.
00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.079
And it hurt that my friends never go down with.
00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:27.920
Okay, so they proved me wrong, but the best part is that they sang along to it.
00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.720
So we'll take that.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.200
Let's take that.
00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.400
So you're two one right now.
00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.440
Is that where we're at right now?
00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.160
Okay.
00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:34.880
Um why won't he be the king?
00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:37.200
I know he has a can you did a lot of tonight.
00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.480
Bing bing bing bingo.
00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.119
Bingo.
00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.519
Okay.
00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.640
Last one.
00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:41.920
Tiebreaker.
00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.240
Well, this is kind of different.
00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:47.200
And I saw this, and you tell me what it means.
00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.240
Okay.
00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.720
Baba wami baba.
00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:53.359
Wami baba wami.
00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.880
Baba wami.
00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.759
Oh, father.
00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:56.960
Father.
00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.160
Is it endless night?
00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.920
It is endless night.
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.680
Thank you, I win.
00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:36.000
So up next, we want to talk about a special community night that we're hosting on April 16th during Lion King.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:41.920
And Steve, isn't it great if you know you're trying to kill some time before the show?
00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.519
Maybe you already had your dinner.
00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:56.720
Why not bring the kids to the lobby ahead of the show, 6:30, and you're going to be able to do some activities with Broadway Grand Rapids, Playground GR, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, and John Ball Zoo.
00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.279
What a bonus.
00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:03.279
And today we're talking to two leaders of organizations closely tied with the mission of the show.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.799
This is kind of a perfect thing.
00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:11.839
We've got Mariah Malone from John Ball Zoo and a Megan Geiken from Grand Rapids Children's Museum here to provide some activities.
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.799
Ladies, good morning.
00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:16.000
And can you tell us a little bit about what you're going to be doing for our audience?
00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.279
And we'll start with Megan.
00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.200
Hi, thanks so much for having me.
00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:24.880
We are so excited to play before the show at community night.
00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:28.720
And we're going to be bringing a couple different ways to play.
00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:33.359
Um, one of them is an animal movement dice game.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:37.680
So an opportunity to get some wiggles out before the show.
00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.519
So how it works is you roll the die and then you act out the prompt.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:49.759
For example, maybe you'll run like a cheetah or trumpet like an elephant, roar like a lion, things like that.
00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:52.240
Oh my gosh, that's so cute.
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.279
I love that.
00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.640
And I love how you say that, Megan, like, you know, get the wiggles out.
00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:59.200
Because you know, kids can get a little antsy.
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:06.880
I and but I tell you what, if you've never taken your child to the Lion King, I think, I mean, my kids were just mesmerized.
00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:12.240
They got kind of just sat there and stared for a really long time, you know, not knowing what to think.
00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.599
But I love that.
00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:18.559
Um, we have some ideas for some other activities too.
00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:26.720
So one is like a movement-based game, but uh, we also are thinking about what about making your own crown?
00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.160
It's the Lion King.
00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.519
It seems like it fits.
00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:33.599
And of course, we're at the children's museum, so we have to have some sensory play.
00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:37.519
So we'll have some sensory vents available for kids to explore and play with.
00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.319
I love that.
00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.240
All right, Mariah, you're up next.
00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.799
What's happening?
00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.720
What's the zoo bring in for us?
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:51.200
Yeah, um, the zoo is super excited to be joining in on the Lion King and representing our lions, Amara and Upeppo.
00:20:51.759 --> 00:21:01.279
Um, they just joined us last year, and we are excited to talk about how they are a part of our SAFE program, which is Saving Animals from Extinction.
00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:14.240
And you can actually play a matching game with all of the animals that are part of those programs, and that way you can memorize what specific animals we have at the zoo and learn more about them at the same time.
00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:26.960
Um, we will also have some take-home factual coloring pages that we're really excited to give out and let people learn a little bit more about the fun things all about lions.
00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:33.440
Um, and then we will also be bringing some animal artifacts that we'll be excited to show off.
00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:43.920
Um, just different artifacts of um what our education team has to offer and teach us a little bit more about the animals in the Lion King.
00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:47.839
You can hear in both your voices that this is obviously near and dear to your heart.
00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.519
So you have that little bit of thrill in there.
00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:53.519
What are you most excited about uh for the show in general?
00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:57.039
Oh, I am genuinely so excited.
00:21:57.200 --> 00:22:26.880
The Lion King is such a like childhood core memory for me, and to be able to bring that to Grand Rapids and be able to show it off to multiple audiences and be able to connect it to the mission that we have at the zoo of saving wildlife in wild places and really bringing all of those things together so that way we have a really great collaboration with um Broadway Grand Rapids and with the zoo and the community.
00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:40.559
So I'm just really excited for this to be able to connect all of those things in such a meaningful and hopefully really impactful way that children and families will be able to remember for a really long time.
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:41.839
All right.
00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:49.680
And Megan, you know, when we asked you, hey, we want to collaborate with the children's museum, you know, uh a show like this just makes sense, doesn't it?
00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.440
It absolutely does.
00:22:51.519 --> 00:23:02.319
And echoing what Mariah said, um, the Lion King is just like a core memory for so many people, and it resonates with so many audiences, but especially children.
00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:05.279
And the show itself is so incredible.
00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:12.240
Um, the costuming, everything, the lights, the music, it's incredible, and I'm so excited for our community to get to experience that.
00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.720
Yeah.
00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:15.519
I mean, we get to play from our seats just watching, you know.
00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:17.440
I mean, it is su it's such a great show.
00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.960
Ladies, we appreciate you.
00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.720
We appreciate uh Playground GR.
00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:27.599
I hear that they're gonna be bringing some sensory um items as well for kids to, you know, play with.
00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:31.839
So um, we appreciate you partnering with Broadway Grand Rapids.
00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:34.160
Thank you so much for the opportunity.
00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.759
Yeah, thank you so much.
00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.720
We're so excited.
00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:42.720
And is there any last-minute information you want in the audience to know about your organizations or where they can find more information about you?
00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.680
Let's start with the zoo.
00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:46.559
Yeah, check us out at jbzoo.org.
00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:55.279
We are in spring break mode, so you can come on out for a fun day before you head off to the children's museum.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:01.039
And we do have the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival that's opening next week.
00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:08.799
So we will have exciting stuff going on as well that you can come out and even check out our own lions, Amara and Upepo.
00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.240
Love it, Megan.
00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:14.079
We are so excited for you to come play at the children's museum.
00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:24.079
When you come visit downtown Grand Rapids, you can learn more about admission and to playing your visit and our hours of operation, all that good stuff at grcm.org.
00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.759
And we hope to play with you soon.
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.640
Awesome.
00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.200
Thank you.
00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.720
We appreciate you, ladies.
00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:35.359
Disney's The Lion King makes its way to the Devonce Performance Hall stage on Wednesday, April 8th.
00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:42.240
We also want to give a huge shout out to our season sponsor Meyer and our title sponsor, Fitz Third Bank, for making it all possible.
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:48.960
Show sponsors Fist Bill Inc., Miller Noel Foundation, National Heritage Academies, and CNC Bank.
00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:56.799
Lion King will be running from April 8th to April 26th, and tickets are, of course, available at Broadway Grandra.com.
00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:37.600
Broadway and brought 50 and best people around the world experience.
00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:39.520
We are talking about Disney.
00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:50.159
The unforgettable music and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular dance.
00:00:50.399 --> 00:00:55.600
We promised this is one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace our stage.
00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:06.079
Disney the Lion King arrived on April 8th and is in Grand Rapids for three weeks until April 26th.
00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:12.879
Alright, today we are talking with Darlene Drew, a flautist, and she's actually from Grand Rapids.
00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:14.079
That's pretty interesting.
00:01:14.239 --> 00:01:21.840
She's coming back home, and we're also going to be talking to Danny Grummick, who will be playing the role of Pumba, one of the biggest characters in that entire show.
00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:25.280
Well, welcome to the both of you, Danny and Darlene.
00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:27.120
This is going to be a fun conversation.
00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:31.359
I mean, we've got Lion King in Grand Rapids for three weeks.
00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:36.159
I know, Darlene, you have a connection, but Danny, have you ever been to Grand Rapids before?
00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:36.959
Never.
00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:38.000
Looking forward to it.
00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.719
Ah, and Darlene, you're you're a Grand Rapidian.
00:01:41.200 --> 00:01:44.319
I am, as of about two and a half years ago, yes.
00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:45.200
Love that.
00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:47.359
We're very excited to have Lion King here before.
00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:57.680
It's been a few years since it's come through our uh area, and we're definitely looking forward to one of the biggest, most fantastic, most family-friendly oriented shows, I think that's out there right now.
00:01:57.920 --> 00:01:59.519
You're a flautist, Darlene.
00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:00.239
That's correct.
00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:06.239
And Dan, you're on uh in the role of Pumba, which is a big, big character, uh, no pun intended in this uh in this show.
00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:11.759
Darlene, how did you come to find uh the Lion King and find theater in general and and music in general?
00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:20.000
Uh well I've been playing shows in Chicago, which is where my um music career was situated.
00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:37.759
And um uh I had heard about Lion King, I was playing other shows, and I actually got the opportunity to go uh sit in the pit in LA um because a friend of mine was playing the show there, and uh completely blew me away.
00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:40.080
I'm like, oh my gosh, I have to learn how to do this.
00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:42.639
It was way out of my comfort zone.
00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:51.039
But um uh I started playing on the Chicago production that started in 2003.
00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:52.400
Wow, okay.
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:55.199
So you've been you've been at this for quite some time now.
00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:58.400
Yep, on and off since then, yes.
00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:00.319
So Daddy, go ahead.
00:03:00.479 --> 00:03:05.199
You tell us uh how long have you been part of the show and how did you get involved?
00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:06.400
Yeah, absolutely.
00:03:06.479 --> 00:03:08.800
Uh so I've been with the show about a year and a half now.
00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:11.360
Uh started September of uh 2024.
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:18.879
Um the the show itself, though, it had been on kind of my radar um for about three to three and a half years before I I finally booked it.
00:03:18.960 --> 00:03:21.360
Um, you know, obviously it's one of those iconic shows.
00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:26.080
I I live in New York and uh, you know, come from a musical theater background, was pursuing a Broadway career in New York.
00:03:26.240 --> 00:03:29.520
Uh you know, obviously Pumba is such an iconic and fun character.
00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:33.199
It's it was definitely one that was on my my list of you know dream roles.
00:03:33.360 --> 00:03:40.879
Um and so, you know, over the years there, you know, different open calls in in New York and uh, you know, kind of the the part would pop up and kind of go away.
00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:46.159
So it's sort of like every six to eight months would kind of come back across my radar, and I kind of kept showing up and kept dreaming.
00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:53.759
And then uh, you know, luckily uh a couple of summers ago um the part was available and and they brought me in for callbacks and and sort of the rest is history.
00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:59.280
So uh yeah, super grateful and and you know, lucky that it worked out, and yeah, just excited to be here.
00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:08.000
We're always interested when we talk to those on the road, which is most people, because of this long-term relationship you kind of have to create with your castmates or your fellow musicians.
00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:11.280
While you're on the road, so much depends on that connection between you performers.
00:04:11.360 --> 00:04:20.000
How do you build and maintain that kind of trust with each other over over time, you know, especially when you're tired, maybe, or when, you know, it's it's week after week after week.
00:04:20.160 --> 00:04:21.199
I'll start with you, Darlene.
00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:26.560
You and you and the pit, how do you and your fellow musicians uh entertain each other and keep excited?
00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:30.639
Uh well, the entertainment factors kind of built in with us.
00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:34.399
And uh uh for a long time I was the only woman in the pit.
00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:36.639
So I kind of became one of the guys.
00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:46.480
And uh, you know, with some some you know, there's a real we actually span three generations amongst the 12 of us in the pit.
00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:55.199
Um, we have a 20-something and then all the way up to uh me of social security age.
00:04:55.360 --> 00:04:56.879
There's a couple of us.
00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:02.480
So we always joke about our grandchildren, you know, playing alongside of us.
00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:12.160
And um yeah, there's so you know, we we have a real diversity of ages, and and some are traveling with families like Danny is.
00:05:12.480 --> 00:05:18.000
And um, you know, we either do stuff by ourselves or we have some groupings.
00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.040
It's it's it's actually really great, you know.
00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:33.839
It's uh everybody's always there when you need somebody, and um it's a really great group dynamic, both you know, just outside the theater and also playing with them as well.
00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:36.240
We're a real tight knit group.
00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:43.040
Well, and that inherently speaks to kind of the nature of the show, you know, finding your family, finding your community, traveling with your community.
00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:44.720
Uh, Danny, how about you?
00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:51.759
What on that stage every night, you're obviously uh out there quite a bit during the course of the show uh and and having a lot of fun.
00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:53.680
How do you keep that connection going?
00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:57.360
How do you keep that excitement ginned up during the during each show?
00:05:57.759 --> 00:05:58.399
Absolutely.
00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:00.480
Um I think Darlene hit the nail on the head.
00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.360
I think, you know, it really is uh a family feel backstage.
00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:07.680
Um, you know, I think most most casts always connect or, you know, always gel well.
00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:20.480
And uh, you know, but m most shows I've done in the past have had an end date, you know, and uh we're in the fortunate position where the show is, you know, the sort of well-oiled machine that's been around for, you know, going on 30 years and um no real end in sight, you know.
00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:25.600
So it's uh you really uh, you know, you make those connections and those kind of long-lasting connections.
00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.000
Um, you know, you kind of become fast friends, you know.
00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:31.839
You there's there's days, you know, you you sort of bicker as family, you know, and everything.
00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:33.279
I come from a huge family back in St.
00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.680
Louis, um, where I'm where I'm originally from.
00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:41.279
And uh I always joke anytime the cast gets together or we all hang out, it really is like an extended family party.
00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:46.480
You know, we I we take our almost two-year-old and she goes and runs with the other kids, and you know, it's just it's a it's a blast.
00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:52.480
But um, I gotta give on stage a lot of credit to um my counterpart, Nick Corleone, who plays uh Timon.
00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:54.639
Um just such an iconic actor.
00:06:54.720 --> 00:06:56.639
Uh he's been with the show almost 16 years now.
00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:03.199
When I came in, I thought for sure he was gonna, you know, say, Hey, rookie, go over here, say exactly like this, set me up here, and this is how I do it.
00:07:03.279 --> 00:07:07.600
Uh but the first one of the first things he said to me is, all right, how are we gonna make this duo our own?
00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:11.759
Um, and up with something that nobody's ever really done before with these two.
00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:20.079
And uh, you know, super grateful to him for you know being that open to be able to just to kind of play in the rehearsal room and and find our kind of groove and our kimon and pumba.
00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:27.279
Um and I think that's really um you know, really laid like some fantastic groundwork for sort of our relationship on and off stage.
00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:28.879
And um, you know, he's just a great guy.
00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:30.399
I can't say enough great things about him.
00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:32.800
And you know, love hanging out with him off stage and on.
00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:38.240
And uh, you know, I think that hopefully at least, you know, definitely uh comes through when uh when we hit the stage.
00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:38.959
You know what?
00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:45.279
I was shocked because back in December I actually went out to Seattle and Darlene and I got to meet you in person.
00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:49.839
We were in the pit with you and all of your flutes, and there's so many of them.
00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:54.240
But, you know, Danny, you had said something, you know, about having this sense of community.
00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:58.800
120 cast and crew is what I'm told that's part of this tour.
00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:02.879
It is like its own city on wheels when you're touring.
00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:09.120
So I'm always fascinated, you know, and in talking with uh various casts that come through.
00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:16.879
What makes you choose to go on the tour versus staying and really wanting to do it on Broadway in New York?
00:08:17.040 --> 00:08:18.639
And everybody has such a unique answer.
00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:24.480
So, Darlene, given you're here in Grand Rapids, what made you decide I'm gonna take this on the road?
00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:30.639
Uh well, originally when I first played the show in Chicago, I had no intention of touring.
00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:31.519
None.
00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:36.399
And circumstances kind of ending up being what they were.
00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:41.679
Um, I ended up um it was mainly my husband at the time.
00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.679
He's like, Oh my gosh, let's go.
00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:46.399
And I'm like, uh yes, but we just bought this farm.
00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:49.279
I have two horses and two dogs.
00:08:49.440 --> 00:08:51.679
I mean, how on earth could we do that?
00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:54.960
And somehow we made it happen.
00:08:55.200 --> 00:09:03.919
And at one point I even brought my horse along with me for comfort and traveled with her a bit.
00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:09.360
And um so that was kind of nutty, but uh, I'm glad I did it.
00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:15.600
It was it was a lot of fun, but uh you know, I thought it was gonna be for you know a year or so.
00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:17.679
A surprise.
00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:18.720
Longer than that.
00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:22.480
Well well Danny, and you're taking your family on your on the road.
00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:29.440
So uh that's gotta be a tough decision, but tell me why it made it easier for you to say, okay, let's go.
00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:30.879
Yeah, absolutely.
00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:35.039
Um, so my daughter was about four or five months old when we uh when we got out here.
00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:42.399
Um and yeah, it was uh my wife was, you know, the first thing I when I got the offer, and my agent was on the phone and I looked at my wife Marin and I said, Can we do this?
00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.600
And she said, We're all going.
00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:47.200
Um really all the credit goes to her.
00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:56.399
Um but yeah, I mean I think the I the amazing part about this show in particular is that there are so many families on the road that have been out here for you know for so long.
00:09:56.559 --> 00:10:02.080
I mean, uh uh Rue, one of our uh percussionists that are in sort of the perches uh stage right and left.
00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:06.639
Um, you know, he's been out here for years, he's raised two daughters on the road, he and his wife are out full time.
00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:20.159
And uh, you know, the one of the coolest things, like our our first couple of weeks, is uh his wife Christine came up to us and said, you know, hey, I have a a Google drive with like every city and you know, pediatricians or you know, where the child urgent care is, so just let me know what you need, you know.
00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:22.399
It's stuff that you never don't even really think about.
00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:26.240
Every packing up and uh trying to figure that out.
00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:31.759
Um, but it was so incredible to have that sort of community just to completely embrace us and say, you know, we got you, whatever you need.
00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:40.799
Um, you know, his oldest daughter has sort of become our full-time babysitter now, you know, so there's there's um so yeah, we're just we're having a blast and and loving every minute of it.
00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:43.600
I wonder because the show is familiar to a lot, right?
00:10:43.679 --> 00:10:46.240
Obviously, because of the movie and it's it's years ago now.
00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:55.440
Do either of you or both of you, right, sense that energy shift when you know the audience knows what's coming up or certain songs, you know, are about ready to light up the uh light up the room.
00:10:55.679 --> 00:11:04.960
Do you have a favorite time from from both perspectives, from the pit and from up on that stage where you're like, yeah, in about five minutes things are gonna get going, and this is this is where I'm just flying.
00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:12.559
I'm singing it or I I'm I'm fluting, you know, and you are right in you are right in the best mode of uh of your life there.
00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:23.440
Um yeah, I mean, it's funny because I mean the show for me is really a radio show, so it's all what I can hear because I can't see the stage.
00:11:23.840 --> 00:11:43.759
Um most of the time I can only we we actually do the conductor on a uh on camera because he's usually much higher up, and you know, we have to crane our necks up because the pit is usually pretty deep and we can't just look at him in, you know, physically for real.
00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:48.799
So we have little jumps, little visual numbers on our stands at him.
00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:52.799
And usually the front row is visible uh to us.
00:11:52.960 --> 00:12:01.039
So um we've had some good times, you know, reacting as a band to whoever is right behind the conductor there.
00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:09.360
And uh there's some good stories about that, but because a lot of times people don't realize they're on camera for the whole company.
00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:29.759
And uh so just seeing the reaction uh for me at the beginning of the show, you can tell when somebody's a newbie to the show and circle of life starts and when they realize that this enormous elephant is coming down the aisle, and just or some of them are crying.
00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:41.759
I mean, it's it it's really that's my favorite moment is to see the reaction um uh of the audience that's in the view of the camera.
00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:47.600
So that's that's it's kind of our connection to what's going on.
00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:52.879
That's a great peak behind the camera, and something I don't think a lot of people know about how some of this works.
00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:59.360
So if you're right behind the conductor, just know that everybody in the cast is watching you.
00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:03.519
So whatever you do, so Danny, they're watching you, Danny.
00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:09.200
So so what is it then that's your favorite part of the show, given that you can actually see?
00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:10.639
Yeah, absolutely.
00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.720
Uh I'll pick you back off of uh Darlene.
00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.240
Don't pick your nose, we'll see you.
00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:22.480
Um yeah, I think for me the uh the coolest part is hearing the kids gasp when Hakuna Matata starts.
00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:23.279
Oh yeah.
00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:30.000
You know, it's sort of the iconic song that every kid's waiting for, and you have a scene leading up to it, and then you hear Timon say, you know, Hakuna Matada.
00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:34.240
You know, and you have these hear all these kids gasp or the you know, the kids that jump on their their parents' laps.
00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:42.320
So that always uh, you know, really lifts us up and uh gives us a lot of energy to you know get through get through a really fun number and sort of en the act strong.
00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.279
So yeah.
00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:44.639
Well, three weeks.
00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.639
Both of you are here for three weeks, darling.
00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:49.120
This is nice because you actually get to be home home.
00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.799
Um, are you going to take the lead?
00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:58.799
Yeah, are you gonna take the lead and and show everybody around, take Danny and his fam out to maybe Frederick Meyer Gardens, you know, all the good things.
00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:00.320
You got a list for everybody?
00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:06.080
Uh well, you know, I always get their attention and they're like, Green Rapids, you know what's gonna be?
00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:10.559
I'm like, well, just so you know, it's been called Beer City in America.
00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:15.279
And they're like, oh then they're in.
00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.120
Okay, it's like, okay, we're good.
00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:21.840
And uh just you know, the riverfront and you know, such a beautiful city.
00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:38.799
And um, I always tell them I I you know, I'm all about food, so um, I'm like, you have to get to Horrocks Market and the downtown city market, and uh so that's that's my contribution.
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:41.120
You know, it's like here's where you go to eat.
00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:41.919
Yeah.
00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:44.159
Oh well, we uh we can't wait to see.
00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:46.480
And Danny, pay attention to her when she gets here.
00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:48.559
This town town changes quite often.
00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:50.960
We've got a lot of awesome things to offer everybody.
00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:54.480
But we are about ready to wrap you up and let you guys go for the afternoon.
00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:59.600
We absolutely loved talking to you and finding out a few uh behind the scenes moments, some key information there.
00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:02.960
I do have one more question or comment from both of you on the way out the door.
00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:08.240
What do you want the audience to take away from this show?
00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:10.080
I'll start with you, Danny.
00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:18.080
Yeah, I think uh the biggest takeaway is just, you know, we we hope you love it and have, you know, as as great of an experience as as we you know have putting it on every night.
00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:23.200
Uh, you know, like I said, we really are a family up there, you know, and it is so much fun hearing the audience.
00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:25.039
We really thrive off that energy every night.
00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:28.639
Um, you know, the audience shows up and drills every night for us, and uh, we love that.
00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:33.759
So um, you know, we're we're we're giving it all for you, and then you know, we hope you just have a great time.
00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:36.799
If you've never seen it, you have to see it.
00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:41.120
Even if you've already seen it before, come see it again because it's timeless.
00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:49.360
There's something that you're going to see uh that you didn't see the last time, and like, oh, I didn't even notice that the first time around.
00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.639
All right, you two.
00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.840
Well, thank you again.
00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:56.320
We can't wait to see you gonna be hanging out for three weeks at DevOps Performance Hall.
00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.279
We appreciate you.
00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.639
Thanks so much.
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:22.159
Back in December, I traveled with our friend Miranda from Wood TV and caught up with Tandy and Gilbert, and we tested them with some fun trivia.
00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:27.200
Okay, this is our BBR Backstage Buds podcast.
00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:29.600
We are live in Seattle right now.
00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:32.559
We're gonna play our little fun game that we do, okay?
00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:34.799
A little bit nameless tune.
00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:40.159
And so right now we've got the actors who play uh Simba and Nala Tembi.
00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.840
And we also have Gilbert.
00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:44.480
So I'm gonna say a line from one of the songs.
00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:46.639
You raise your hand and tell me what song it is.
00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.720
All right, here we go.
00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:49.519
First line.
00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:51.200
What a wonderful phrase.
00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:54.559
Oh, I think you'd be like, Akuna matata.
00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.840
You got it, all right.
00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:59.519
Number two, there's far too much to take in here.
00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:01.600
Oh, circle of life.
00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.320
Got it.
00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.840
We're one-one right now.
00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.960
Third question.
00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:07.119
Oh, the shame you were such a fool.
00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.279
Oh, akuna matata.
00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:12.480
Actually, I have be prepared.
00:17:12.799 --> 00:17:14.480
Oh, the shame, you were such a fool.
00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:15.440
Be prepared.
00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.160
Am I wrong?
00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:16.960
I could be wrong.
00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.079
I didn't do that.
00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:24.079
And it hurt that my friends never go down with.
00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:27.920
Okay, so they proved me wrong, but the best part is that they sang along to it.
00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.720
So we'll take that.
00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.200
Let's take that.
00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.400
So you're two one right now.
00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.440
Is that where we're at right now?
00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.160
Okay.
00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:34.880
Um why won't he be the king?
00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:37.200
I know he has a can you did a lot of tonight.
00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.480
Bing bing bing bingo.
00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.119
Bingo.
00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.519
Okay.
00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.640
Last one.
00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:41.920
Tiebreaker.
00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:44.240
Well, this is kind of different.
00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:47.200
And I saw this, and you tell me what it means.
00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:48.240
Okay.
00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.720
Baba wami baba.
00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:53.359
Wami baba wami.
00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.880
Baba wami.
00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.759
Oh, father.
00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:56.960
Father.
00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.160
Is it endless night?
00:17:58.720 --> 00:17:59.920
It is endless night.
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.680
Thank you, I win.
00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:36.000
So up next, we want to talk about a special community night that we're hosting on April 16th during Lion King.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:41.920
And Steve, isn't it great if you know you're trying to kill some time before the show?
00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.519
Maybe you already had your dinner.
00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:56.720
Why not bring the kids to the lobby ahead of the show, 6:30, and you're going to be able to do some activities with Broadway Grand Rapids, Playground GR, Grand Rapids Children's Museum, and John Ball Zoo.
00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:57.279
What a bonus.
00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:03.279
And today we're talking to two leaders of organizations closely tied with the mission of the show.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.799
This is kind of a perfect thing.
00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:11.839
We've got Mariah Malone from John Ball Zoo and a Megan Geiken from Grand Rapids Children's Museum here to provide some activities.
00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:12.799
Ladies, good morning.
00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:16.000
And can you tell us a little bit about what you're going to be doing for our audience?
00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.279
And we'll start with Megan.
00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:19.200
Hi, thanks so much for having me.
00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:24.880
We are so excited to play before the show at community night.
00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:28.720
And we're going to be bringing a couple different ways to play.
00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:33.359
Um, one of them is an animal movement dice game.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:37.680
So an opportunity to get some wiggles out before the show.
00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:41.519
So how it works is you roll the die and then you act out the prompt.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:49.759
For example, maybe you'll run like a cheetah or trumpet like an elephant, roar like a lion, things like that.
00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:52.240
Oh my gosh, that's so cute.
00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.279
I love that.
00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:56.640
And I love how you say that, Megan, like, you know, get the wiggles out.
00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:59.200
Because you know, kids can get a little antsy.
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:06.880
I and but I tell you what, if you've never taken your child to the Lion King, I think, I mean, my kids were just mesmerized.
00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:12.240
They got kind of just sat there and stared for a really long time, you know, not knowing what to think.
00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.599
But I love that.
00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:18.559
Um, we have some ideas for some other activities too.
00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:26.720
So one is like a movement-based game, but uh, we also are thinking about what about making your own crown?
00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:28.160
It's the Lion King.
00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.519
It seems like it fits.
00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:33.599
And of course, we're at the children's museum, so we have to have some sensory play.
00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:37.519
So we'll have some sensory vents available for kids to explore and play with.
00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.319
I love that.
00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.240
All right, Mariah, you're up next.
00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.799
What's happening?
00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:42.720
What's the zoo bring in for us?
00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:51.200
Yeah, um, the zoo is super excited to be joining in on the Lion King and representing our lions, Amara and Upeppo.
00:20:51.759 --> 00:21:01.279
Um, they just joined us last year, and we are excited to talk about how they are a part of our SAFE program, which is Saving Animals from Extinction.
00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:14.240
And you can actually play a matching game with all of the animals that are part of those programs, and that way you can memorize what specific animals we have at the zoo and learn more about them at the same time.
00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:26.960
Um, we will also have some take-home factual coloring pages that we're really excited to give out and let people learn a little bit more about the fun things all about lions.
00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:33.440
Um, and then we will also be bringing some animal artifacts that we'll be excited to show off.
00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:43.920
Um, just different artifacts of um what our education team has to offer and teach us a little bit more about the animals in the Lion King.
00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:47.839
You can hear in both your voices that this is obviously near and dear to your heart.
00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:49.519
So you have that little bit of thrill in there.
00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:53.519
What are you most excited about uh for the show in general?
00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:57.039
Oh, I am genuinely so excited.
00:21:57.200 --> 00:22:26.880
The Lion King is such a like childhood core memory for me, and to be able to bring that to Grand Rapids and be able to show it off to multiple audiences and be able to connect it to the mission that we have at the zoo of saving wildlife in wild places and really bringing all of those things together so that way we have a really great collaboration with um Broadway Grand Rapids and with the zoo and the community.
00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:40.559
So I'm just really excited for this to be able to connect all of those things in such a meaningful and hopefully really impactful way that children and families will be able to remember for a really long time.
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:41.839
All right.
00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:49.680
And Megan, you know, when we asked you, hey, we want to collaborate with the children's museum, you know, uh a show like this just makes sense, doesn't it?
00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.440
It absolutely does.
00:22:51.519 --> 00:23:02.319
And echoing what Mariah said, um, the Lion King is just like a core memory for so many people, and it resonates with so many audiences, but especially children.
00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:05.279
And the show itself is so incredible.
00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:12.240
Um, the costuming, everything, the lights, the music, it's incredible, and I'm so excited for our community to get to experience that.
00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.720
Yeah.
00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:15.519
I mean, we get to play from our seats just watching, you know.
00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:17.440
I mean, it is su it's such a great show.
00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.960
Ladies, we appreciate you.
00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.720
We appreciate uh Playground GR.
00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:27.599
I hear that they're gonna be bringing some sensory um items as well for kids to, you know, play with.
00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:31.839
So um, we appreciate you partnering with Broadway Grand Rapids.
00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:34.160
Thank you so much for the opportunity.
00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.759
Yeah, thank you so much.
00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:36.720
We're so excited.
00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:42.720
And is there any last-minute information you want in the audience to know about your organizations or where they can find more information about you?
00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.680
Let's start with the zoo.
00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:46.559
Yeah, check us out at jbzoo.org.
00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:55.279
We are in spring break mode, so you can come on out for a fun day before you head off to the children's museum.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:01.039
And we do have the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival that's opening next week.
00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:08.799
So we will have exciting stuff going on as well that you can come out and even check out our own lions, Amara and Upepo.
00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.240
Love it, Megan.
00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:14.079
We are so excited for you to come play at the children's museum.
00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:24.079
When you come visit downtown Grand Rapids, you can learn more about admission and to playing your visit and our hours of operation, all that good stuff at grcm.org.
00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.759
And we hope to play with you soon.
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.640
Awesome.
00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.200
Thank you.
00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.720
We appreciate you, ladies.
00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:35.359
Disney's The Lion King makes its way to the Devonce Performance Hall stage on Wednesday, April 8th.
00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:42.240
We also want to give a huge shout out to our season sponsor Meyer and our title sponsor, Fitz Third Bank, for making it all possible.
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:48.960
Show sponsors Fist Bill Inc., Miller Noel Foundation, National Heritage Academies, and CNC Bank.
00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:56.799
Lion King will be running from April 8th to April 26th, and tickets are, of course, available at Broadway Grandra.com.
