Posted on by stefanie

Interview: Reflecting on the circle of life with Mpume Sikakane

For more than 20 years, audiences have been captivated by the stage adaptation of “The Lion King,” a winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical. Based on the classic Disney animated film, the musical is a global phenomenon with nine productions around the world, including the North American tour.

The Wharton Center welcomes “The Lion King” for a three-week engagement beginning July 11th and running through July 29th. I had the opportunity to speak with Mpume Sikakane, a performer and recording artist who has been a member of “The Lion King” family for many years as a member of the ensemble and an understudy for the pivotal role of Rafiki.

I asked Mpume about her experiences on the road with her family (her husband and two children travel with her for the show!), what it is like to step into a principal role, and what audiences can expect from “The Lion King” at Wharton Center.

Stefanie Pohl: The show recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and is still performed all around the world. What is it about “The Lion King” that resonates with audiences?

Mpume Sikakane: The show derives influences from around the world, including Balinese puppetry and African music. It is a one-of-a-kind production  that established a new level of artistry for musical theatre. And it appeals to audiences of all ages. To me, it is a blessing to be a part of this wonderful company and creative team.

Pohl: I learned that your husband and two children travel with you while you’re on tour. What is that experience like?

Sikakane: It’s been a journey, to tell you the truth. But it’s an amazing one. My kids love touring. They get an experience that they’ll never get anywhere else. Every time they go to a new city, it’s like they’re taking a new vacation even though I’m working. For them, they get to explore that city every time we go somewhere new. My husband is a wonderful man and he’s the one who is taking care of everything to make sure I can go to work and do what I love easily.

Pohl: How many times have your children seen the show?

Sikakane: (Laughing) Many times. I can’t even count. It’s many times.

Pohl: I see you are a member of the ensemble and you have also played Rafiki. What is it like to always be ready to have to step into that role?

Sikakane: It’s not a problem at all. It was tougher when I started, because you have to train your mind to move over to a principal role. You have to remember different lines, different staging. It’s different. Whatever you do for an ensemble role, it isn’t the same for a principal role. But I have done it for a long time, so I enjoy it. I love it.

Pohl: You’ve been involved with “The Lion King” for many years. What was the rehearsal and training like for such an intricate show?

Sikakane: I did it on Broadway before they sent me to the tour. To tell you the truth, when I first started, I didn’t have a clue what I was going through. I’m from South Africa. To go to the stage and have to be a Broadway professional actor, it was two different things. At home, I’m a recording artist. Everything was different, and it took me four or five weeks to learn it all. It was a journey. I’m grateful that I was a part of that, and that I’m here.

Pohl: What is your favorite part of the show?

Sikakane: “The Circle of Life.” I love it.

Pohl: It’s so spectacular. It really is one of the best openings of a musical that there could be.

Sikakane: I love it, mama. That’s the best number in the show. You see everything. Like I said, it has different cultures and different language. It draws attention from the adults and the kids. When you first open the curtain and you are a principal role that day, you see the audience. You see the kids. It’s amazing, mama. I love it.

Pohl: Can you speak to the fact that in the stage show, Rafiki is a female role? Do you find that helps empower young girls and women who see the show?

Sikakane: Yes ma’am, it is mama. In the film, it was a male character. In the stage show, they made that character a powerful female. That power, that control, a woman has. It’s different from a man. I know men are powerful, but you cannot be as powerful as a woman when you have to send somebody to a journey like young Simba. He needs that motherly love. It’s a very powerful thing that they made Rafiki a woman.

Pohl: This is the third time that “The Lion King” is coming to the Wharton Center. What can audiences expect from the show, whether they’re seeing it for the first time or again?

Sikakane: First of all I just want to say thank you to the East Lansing audience for their overwhelming response to the show. For those who saw the show before, it’s going to be a little bit different this time. There are a lot of changes they’re going to see, but they are amazing. Hopefully they’re going to enjoy it like before.

Mpume also likes to share her adventures on tour on her Instagram:

 

Don’t miss Mpume and the rest of the wonderful cast of “The Lion King” at the Wharton Center, July 11-29th, 2018.