I will never forget the first time I saw The Lion King and saw a traditional Broadway theater, with its velvet seats and ornate proscenium arch, utterly transformed into the African savannah. As dozens of actors dressed as lions, monkeys and birds marched into the theater and through the aisles in the opening number, I held my breath. It was a moment of pure, theatrical magic.

Now, South Carolina audiences will get to have the same rush. The Lion King is playing at Greenville’s Peace Center through July 8.

The play is set in the Pride Lands of Africa and follows the story of Simba, a young lion cub who finds himself far away from home after an attempt on his life. Over the course of the play, Simba must deal with the guilt he feels over his father’s death (his father, Mufasa, is killed saving his life) and return home in order to avenge his father’s death. Though filled with plenty of comedy and upbeat songs like “Hakuna Matata,” The Lion King definitely deals with some dark stuff; Shakespeare’s Hamlet inspired the creators.

The stage play was adapted from Disney’s animated hit movie by the brilliant stage director Julie Taymor. Taymor looked to Africa for inspiration on how to bring the play to life, and the result is an aesthetic that is anything but cartoonish. The actors are dressed in fabrics reminiscent of mudcloth and the masks are designed to mimic traditional African masks. Director/designer Taymor also makes ample use of puppetry to create an Africa filled with giraffes, antelope and other animals.

Tickets to this fantastic show range from $35 to $135 (for VIP tickets). Click here for a schedule of performances and to buy tickets.