The co-host of “CBS Mornings”, Gayle King and the creative director of the Daily Oprah, Adam Glassman, entered the spotlight, making his Broadway debut as an invited interprets in “The Lion King” of Disney.
King appeared as The Bird Lady while Glassman played the back half of a rhino during the opening number of the musical at the Minskoff Theater, as part of a special Oprah Daily segment entitled “The adventures of Adam and Gayle”. “The Lion King” has been in Broadway since 1997 and is one of the oldest shows in the story of Broadway.
The experience has proven more difficult than expected for the two television personalities.
“I learned my lines, but now I didn’t know I had to move while I was saying my lines,” said King.
King admitted to having struggled with the physical requirements of performance.
“I have to remember keeping your head high and stop looking at your feet. It is a lot to remember,” she said.
The preparation was not without misadventures. King fell during the rehearsal during climbing, which, she said, put himself in the head before performance.
“A plant full of face climbs on the steps,” recalls King.
Glassman faced his own challenges to coordinate movements as half a rhino costume.
“I was going to the left when he went to the right during the rehearsal. It was intense,” said Glassman.
Despite the initial nerves, the two hosts said that real performance had exceeded their expectations.
“I was not at all nervous, and now I say to myself,” Yikes “,” said King before going on stage.
But thereafter, King’s piece changed.
“It was so fun. As we did, as we did, we didn’t fall. It was so fun. I’m so proud of us.”
The king praised the Disney production team and the actors who helped them prepare, noting the advice of Albert Rhodes Jr., 12, who plays the young Simba, who told him that the fall during the rehearsal was “good luck”.
Glassman said that the room was different from rehearsal without public or staging in relation to the public.
“You feel an emotion,” said Glassman. “As they start to sing and the giraffes are there … I was fascinated.”
An extended version of their Broadway experience will be available on Oprah daily on August 12.