ARRIVE EARLY

Be in your seat by curtain time for the spectacular entrance: Life-sized puppets of an elephant, giraffes, lions and more journey from the audience to the stage, culminating with "Circle of Life," led by Rafiki, the shaman-counsel, amid a stylized African landscape.

KNOW THE STORY

Essentially, it's a coming-of-age tale about Simba, the cub of King Mufasa, who would be the king — with echoes of "Bambi" and "Hamlet," and even an environmental message.

Seeing "The Lion King" for the first time, or going back for another visit? Some helpful hints:

THE SCAR ISSUE

Scar, the sinister uncle of Simba, is the younger brother of Mufasa and second in line to the throne after Simba. He's also the villain eager to reign — so he maneuvers misplaced blame for the demise of Mufasa, forcing Simba into exile. If Scar earns hisses at the final curtain call, he's done his job well.

THE MASK PARADE

Julie Taymor, who directed the Broadway original, created the masks and puppets with co-designer Michael Curry. The actors don a multitude of masks, largely as headpieces, which allow the actors to assume animal characteristics yet project some human facial expressions.

THE FEAR FACTOR

Young children may become a tad afraid of the menacing hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, who threaten Simba; ditto, a Scar-caused wildebeest stampede staging that is breathtaking stagecraft.

THE BUZZ PHRASE

"Hakuna matata," a Swahili phrase that means "no worries" — or, in local parlance, "ain't no big thing" — is uttered and sung by Timon, the meerkat, and Pumbaa, the warthog.

THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE

"The Lion King" garnered six Tony Awards in 1998, including best musical, earning additional accolades for director Taymor, choreographer Garth Fagan, and for scenic design, costume design, and lighting. You'll see the same stagecraft in the national touring company's production.

THE ROAR CONTINUES

"The Lion King" marks its 10th anniversary on Nov. 13; the Broadway production bowed in 1997 and now is the ninth-longest-running play.

RUNNING TIME

Two hours, 45 minutes, plus intermission. Plan a bathroom visit before curtain and rush for the stalls at the break.

BRING EXTRA CASH

Like any visiting shows, there are T-shirts, baseball caps and other collectibles the kids will want. Yes, it's a commercial jungle out there.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.