F: Is from Film to Broadway to Museums

Disney Theatrical Productions donated objects from the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical The Lion King, to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Costume elements from the show’s protagonist Simba, and the tribal shaman Rafiki, will join the ranks of iconic objects from Broadway musicals Cats, Rent and The King and I. The stylized lion mask and headdress of Simba and costume, custom shoes and hat designed for Rafiki will be added into the museum’s permanent entertainment collections. This landmark musical event recently surpassed the 50 million mark in worldwide attendance, becoming the first American musical to reach that milestone.

The costume components designed by Julie Taymor, and the mask (co-designed by Michael Curry) were conceived for the original Broadway production, which opened on November 13, 1997. Taymor, a designer and director, has garnered acclaim for her innovative productions combining actors, masks, puppetry, ritual and large theatrical landscapes. Taymor won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design and Best Direction of a Musical for The Lion King.

The Simba mask-headdress is made of carbon graphite, a lightweight but durable material cast from a silicone mold, paint and polyester fibers. The Rafiki costume is made of cotton fabric, decorated with metal amulets, and a horsehair collar. The hat is made of textured kente cloth and the custom shoes are made of rubber.

To date, the show has been presented in 13 different countries.

The National Museum of American History collects, preserves and displays American heritage in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific and military history. Now these are F.A.C.T.S.