The Broadway touring production of The Lion King will play Montreal from Aug. 19 to Sept. 6, and the actor responsible for the pompous avian adviser Zazu says the engagement has felt like a full-circle moment in his career. The role combines traditional acting with intricate puppetry, a mix that the performer says keeps the job fresh night after night.
From childhood audience to stage performer
Nick LaMedica told The Suburban that seeing the musical as a nine-year-old was one of his first encounters with live theatre. He later trained those early impressions into a professional life in which he now animates Zazu — the red-billed hornbill who serves as majordomo to Mufasa and, later, Simba.
LaMedica described the puppet as a “beautiful, complex contraption” that demands constant attention and rewards experimentation. He noted the mechanical and performative surprises that make each performance an opportunity to refine the character.
“The challenge and working with the Zazu puppet is probably my favourite thing about my role,”
How the role fits the story
The stage musical tracks Simba’s transition from playful cub to king, following the arc familiar to audiences of the animated film: a betrayal by Scar, exile, a carefree period with Timon and Pumbaa, and an eventual return to reclaim the throne. The touring production features many of the iconic songs that helped define the franchise, including Circle of Life, I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.
Longevity and reach
The North American tour has been running for nearly three decades and has become one of the continent’s most durable theatrical exports. Over that span, the show has compiled substantial audience and performance figures:
- More than 10,000 performances across North America
- Seen by over 28 million theatregoers in North America
- Since its 1997 premiere, 32 global productions and attendance exceeding 130 million worldwide
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| North American performances | 10,000+ |
| North American audience | 28 million+ |
| Global productions since 1997 | 32 |
| Global attendance | 130 million+ |
Performance craft at the heart of the tour
LaMedica’s account highlights the technical demands of the role: puppetry that requires precise timing, sustained characterization and the physical stamina to maintain a non-human presence throughout a show. His mix of acting technique and puppeteer’s problem-solving underlines why the part remains notable among company members.
For Montreal audiences, the arrival of this touring cast is both a chance to relive a beloved story and to witness the theatre-making craftsmanship that has kept the production on the road for decades. The run from Aug. 19 to Sept. 6 offers multiple performances for families and theatre fans alike to see a production that has proven to be a durable — and commercially successful — fixture on the global stage.
Ticket availability, venue details and performance times will be published by the tour’s local presenters; audiences are advised to consult official outlets for the most current information.
