Caroline Cruz was ready to see "The Lion King" on its Richmond opening night.
"I expect colorful costumes and great dancing," said 10-year-old Caroline, a dancer herself.
Her sister, 13-year-old Eva Cruz, was equally enthusiastic as the girls and their parents, Chuck and Crista Cruz, made their way to the door of Richmond's Landmark Theater on Friday night, where the touring production was beginning its four-week stay.
"We saw the movie. It's really cool. It's colorful and it has fun music," said Caroline, who sings in her school chorus.
Friday night's opening in Richmond marks the touring production's 4,000th performance — a milestone that few touring shows make, according to Disney, the company that owns the show.
"The Lion King," which began as an animated film in 1994, tells the story of Simba, the lion cub who matures to follow in the paw prints of his father, Mufasa, ruler of the Pridelands.
The story made its Broadway debut in 1997. It was an instant hit and the award-winning show is still running. It is one of only six productions in theater history to play for more than 10 years on both Broadway and London's West End, Disney said.
Also among the crowd to see the show Friday was Victoria Smith, there with her mother and grandparents. Her grandfather, Randy Smith, said the night at the theater was a family Valentine's gift.
"I'm looking forward to the dances. That's what I like" said Victoria, herself a dancer in the Latin Ballet of Virginia, which has its own event tonight at Gallery 5 in Richmond.
Her grandfather said the family had been to New York more than once, "but the show was always sold out."
J. Alphonso Taylor of Shipman in Nelson County was about to take in the show with fellow members of Alpha Phi Alpha. Taylor, president of the Virginia branch of the fraternity, said the organization is having its state convention in Richmond this weekend and about 60 members were attending the show.
"We've been planning the convention since August," he said. "When we found out 'The Lion King' would be here at the same time, we decided to make tickets available."
He said his wife, Carolyn Taylor, is in town with him and would be joining him for the show. Their daughter, 12-year-old Jayden, was back in Shipman and hasn't seen the stage production.
He acknowledged that Jayden might be put out that she wasn't included.
"We might have to sacrifice and come to see it again sometime and bring Jayden, too," he said.
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