The Lion King At The Saenger Theatre | New Orleans, LA

Can you feel the love tonight <singing>? I did. My boyfriend surprised me by taking me out to dinner and seeing The Lion King Musical at the Saenger Theatre (Nov 8th). It was a magical night. Let me share something with you. I’ve never watched Disney’s The Lion King <gasp>. I’ve never watched the movie, musical, or anything. Why? I felt the story would be sad. I saw all of the animals involved and felt there was going to be a lot of death. So I always avoided watching it.

As a child, my mom took me to see Dumbo. I cried so much. She said, “Oh, Kim … I would’ve never taken you, had I known it would upset you like this”. I really try to avoid anything sad when it comes to entertainment or in general. I did cry some tears while watching this musical, but they were tears of JOY. It was one of the best musicals, I had ever seen.

Our night began with a lovely dinner at Mulate’s. Afterwards, I thought he was taking me to some type of Republican event (read this post to understand why I thought this and btw I’m a Democrat). He never told me what we were doing November 8th. I just assumed since it was election night it would be political. Highly nervous (not knowing where we were going), I asked him could we possibly sit in the back. He said, “well, it’s assigned seating” (doesn’t he have a sense of humor). I asked him some other questions, but he remained evasive. I couldn’t understand the secrecy. We parked downtown, walked hand-in-hand down a city sidewalk, which led to our secret destination … The Saenger Theatre.

You could’ve sold me for a nickel! I looked at him and said The Lion King! He said, “If I would’ve told you, it wouldn’t have been a surprise”. I was so elated. Speechless. In shock, actually. While I stood in shock, he said “I’m going to get a mango slushie, would you like one?” I’ve never had one. After tasting his, I wanted one as well. They’re so good! People were scattered about, patronizing the concession stands, buying Lion King memorabilia and awaiting the show. It was exciting watching everything going on and the lovely chandeliers that graced The Saenger Theatre lobby’s ceilings.

We had the best seats. We were in row L, positioned right in front (middle) of the stage. We had the perfect view of everything. Prior to the start of the musical, we received a VIP Lion King tote that contained the official program. Every time I attend a Broadway musical, I keep the program and playbill. I plan on displaying them one day.

One of the more popular songs on The Lion King Soundtrack is Can You Feel The Love Tonight? I felt love from the the musical (story), but also what my boyfriend did for me. It was really thoughtful and kind. He put all of this together. He planned it. Just for us. It really touched me. I’ve thanked him many times, but I also wish to thank him in this post. From lessons in the past, I always tell people to pay attention to people’s actions, not (so much) their words. Anybody can tell you anything (words), but do their actions support their words?

I’ve known my boyfriend since 2020. He broke up with me mid-2021. I was devastated. I truly felt I lost a part of myself. That’s how connected I was to him and how much I loved him. So I’m thankful GOD placed him back into my life. He’s a listener. He listens. He doesn’t overreact. He stays calm. He analyzes situations. He doesn’t get flustered. He makes smart choices and decisions. I say ALL of this, because (I think) deep down, he knew I needed to see this musical. He knows what’s going on in my life. I could be totally wrong (maybe it was divine intervention), but he always seems to know what I need. There’s a saying, GOD doesn’t always give you what you want, but what you NEED (that happened here).

He is also very WISE. During Christmas, our teachers use to talk about wise men and how they brought gifts to baby Jesus. I never thought (in my lifetime) that I would ever meet a WISE man (having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment). I don’t say this lightly, but he’s past smart. I have the utmost respect, love and admiration for him. I thank him from the bottom of my heart.

Earlier I mentioned, that The Lion King was one of THE BEST musicals I had ever seen. The reason I say that is because of all the lessons it offers. There are a multitude in the story. Let me mention a few that brought me to tears.

Hyenas, Jackals, Vultures, Buzzards, (Nay-Sayers, Backstabbers etc.) Unfortunately life is full of the above (whatever you may call them HaHaHa) in people form. Their goal is to try and tear you down, dismantle what you do have, take what you’ve worked hard for and even try and destroy you. Some are so vicious that if they can’t find anything, they’ll make things up to collaborate their story. It’s unfortunate to have such evil-minded people. If they would convert all of that bad energy (lying, hiding, disguising, scheming) into good energy, the world would be a much better place.

Don’t let these type of people steal your joy! Don’t despair. Continue doing the right thing. Stay on the right path. Pray, have faith and believe. If they wish to continue on the wrong path, then that is their plight. Those are choices they made. It will eventually catch up with them. The truth will always be revealed. Lies are always revealed.

Move Forward. Always Forward. I’ve given this advice to many people, yet I have faltered when it comes to this lesson. It’s real easy for past s(h)ituations to hinder, stop and slow you down. Don’t let them stop your life’s progression. If you linger in what was, how can you make present strides? Everyone falters, stumbles and falls. Learn from those mistakes, but don’t let them stop you from achieving your dreams.

Get Things, The Right Way! A contractor that did some work for me told me one time, “When you get things the right way (do the right things), you never have to look over your shoulder”. You also shouldn’t take from others. The character Scar constantly envied Mufasa (his brother). Scar wanted to be King. Just because you want something, doesn’t give you the right to take it from another. Whenever I saw a person that had something I admired, I wanted to connect with that person and learn from them. Not try and do them in! Don’t take what is not yours!

GOD’s gifts are IN you! NO ONE can take them from you! My grandmother told my mom and my mom told me (pointing to my head). They cannot take what’s in there (brain). GOD has blessed each one of us with special gifts and talents. No one can take that from you. Believe in yourself. Have faith in yourself. Develop those gifts and talents. Put them to great use. Use them to help others.

You’re never alone. You never walk alone. Through dark times (or the unexpected valleys in life) God provides you with someone. Simba was banished by Scar from his homeland. He was sent into the unknown. An unknown land … unknown inhabitants. He met friends that helped him. They helped him get himself back together (confidence) and claim his position as King. People may come and go (in and out of your life), but they’re usually there for a… REASON…SEASON…LIFETIME. (source)

People come into your life for a reason,
A season or a Lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will
Know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a
REASON, it is usually to meet a
Need you have expressed. They have come to
assist you through a difficulty, to provide
you with guidance and support, to aid you
physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to
be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your
part or at and inconvenient time, this person
will say or do something to bring the
relationship to an end. Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they
act up and force you to take a stand. What
we must realize is that our need has been
met, our desire fulfilled, their wake is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered
and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a
SEASON, because your turn has come to
share, grow or learn. They bring you an
experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never
done. They usually give you an unbelievable
amount of joy. Believe it, it is real.
But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional
foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and
put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is
blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

HUMAN CONNECTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. THANK
EVERYONE WHOSE PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I love the lyrics to the song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone“.

They’re so beautiful and true.

As you can see, I truly got a lot out of seeing this musical. It was the best gift. It really made me revisit, reevaluate and rethink all the things in my life. I hope this post also helps you. If The Lion King comes to your city, go and see it. Bring a friend or family member. It truly touched my heart. It touched my soul. I can see why so many go to see it. The costumes and performances by the characters are truly spectacular. I also adore the song, “He Lives In You” by Lebo M. God Bless.