JOAN MARCUS
ARTS&LIFE THEATER
Ain’t No Passing Craze Ben Lipitz is Disney’s The Lion King’s Pumbaa for 19 Years JULIE SMITH YOLLES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
W
hen Matthew Lipitz was in first grade, his teacher told the students to draw a picture of their parents in their occupational garb. Upon seeing Lipitz’s rendering, the teacher told Lipitz that his drawing was a nonsensical fabrication and sent the first grader crying to the principal’s office. When the principal returned to class with Lipitz Ben Lipitz in tow, the principal reprimanded the teacher, announcing that yes, indeed, Lipitz’s dad truly was Pumbaa. And to that embarrassed, small-minded teacher, the young Lipitz smiled and boldly remarked, “Hakuna Matata.” Ten years later, Ben Lipitz still kvells, recounting the legendary tale about his son, who is now 16. For nearly 19 years, Ben Lipitz has starred on Broadway, and on tour, as the wildly funny, beyond-lovable, scene-stealing Pumbaa in Disney’s The Lion King coming to the Detroit Opera House Jan. 27-Feb. 20.
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“I’ve been playing Pumbaa for so long that I’ve gotten a special dispensation that I’m now kosher,” laughs the actor who has played the “Hakuna Matata”singing warthog for more than 6,400 performances. This will be the fifth time that The Lion King comes to Detroit, and Lipitz has been in all the productions. For the actor who has spent the majority of his time on the road since 2003 touring with the Tony Award-winning musical penned by Elton John and Tim Rice, the pandemic brought Lipitz home for 18 months while Broadway and tours were halted. LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC “Like every other artist, I did a lot of Zoom teaching, singing for benefits via video, taking classes and creating opportunities to support my colleagues emotionally,” says Lipitz, 57, who lives with his son, wife, Rosalie, “a recovering actress,” and daughter, Mikaela, 13, just outside of New York City. Mikaela’s bat mitzvah is on hold for now until they feel
Nick Cordileone as Timon and Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa in Disney’s The Lion King.
DETAILS
The Lion King will be performed at the Detroit Opera House from Jan. 27-Feb. 20. The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Fisher Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com and BroadwayInDetroit.com or by calling (313) 871-1132. Patrons will be required to show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the performance date or proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. All patrons are required to wear a mask. Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up. Children under the age of 2 will not be admitted. Children ages 2-11 will not need to show proof of negative COVID test or vaccine to attend The Lion King at the Detroit Opera House.
