Lion King roars into Edmonton for a month-long stint

Kids may know the popular movie, but the Broadway award-winning best musical, Disney’s The Lion King, is an equally – if not more – beloved production. The touring show plays at Edmonton’s Jubilee Auditorium July 14 to Aug. 9, with a score featuring Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the Disney animated feature film plus additional material that creates a fusion of western popular music with the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa. But make no mistake – The Lion King is a dance-heavy show.

Lethbridge native and Edmonton-trained dancer, through the Edmonton School of Ballet, Kendra Moore, has been part of the massive 100-person-plus Lion King touring production for 12 years and, surprisingly, she hasn’t yet tired of the show.

“The casts change over the years, so I always see something new in the show,” said Moore from Vancouver, where the show just wrapped a month-long run. “My parents have seen the show many times over the years, but it’s always special to come home to perform in Alberta. I’ll definitely fit in some visiting with family while the show is in Edmonton.”

While she has toured the world during her 26-year dance career with Ballet Austin (six years), then Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal (three years) and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (five years), the 44-year-old now calls Chicago home, but being in a show that tours 52 weeks a year with four-week minimum stops in all cities means she’s not at her home base much.

“I thought I’d be done my dance career in my 30s, but being dance captain for this show means I don’t have the same night after night rigours on my body. I’ve been able to become a mature dancer, so I’ll continue as long as I have a passion for it,” said Moore, who has added puppeteer to her list of skills while being part of The Lion King.

For most shows, Moore is able to watch from the front with the rest of the audience – being dance captain means she is on call as an understudy and swing when others are sick or injured.

“It’s like a sports team – I sit on the bench and go in when I’m needed. Luckily, I’ve never had a serious injury with this show. I’m surrounded by talented musicians, singers, actors and dancers. I never get tired of the opening number, or all the songs in the show.”

To keep in shape while living out of a suitcase during her two-and-a-half decade non-stop dance career – Moore has taken only one small break during her run with The Lion King – she swims and does yoga before call time at the theatre.

“It’s a dance-heavy show, but I’m not taxing my body now. If I was tired, or unhappy, I wouldn’t do it anymore, but I get to go to amazing places, see friends and be part of a lovely production. I plan to stay as long as I can.”