It's no surprise that lavish Disney musicals are phenomenal visual displays. The stories and music are already bona fide hits via the silver screen, but Disney knows a whole heckuva lot more is needed for a stage production and without fail, they deliver. It was such a big deal when The Lion King came out a mere three years after the 1994 movie, turning the theatrical world on its head with innovative animal costumes and puppetry. And then, of course it got a bunch of Tonys and made loads of cash for the Disney machine. On top of that, a decade later, it's still stunning. Now if only I could see the damn thing. The past few times a Disney show has passed this way I could never get to it and partake in the theatrical revelry and opulence. The fates kept me from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and even the potentially boring but still stunning Aida. But I'll wait and the dream that was a wish my heart made will be on the backburner for now. The Lion King runs Thursday through October 21 at Fair Park Music Hall, 909 First Ave. For more information and tickets, call 214-421-5678 or visit dallassummermusicals.org.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 23, 1:30 & 7 p.m.; Sun., Sept. 30, 1:30 & 7 p.m.; Thu., Oct. 4, 2 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 7, 1:30 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 14, 1:30 & 7 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 19, 2 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 21, 1:30 p.m. Starts: Sept. 20. Continues through Oct. 21, 2007