Costumes and puppets add character to "The Lion King"

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Simba, Mufasa and Scar come to life in "The Lion King" at the Kentucky Center through March, 29, 2015.

WDRB's Sterling Riggs and Candyce Clift went backstage to learn more how the show comes together.

Sterling was able to learn about the elaborate costumes the actors wear to make the story and animals come alive on stage.

Keith Coultas is actually from Louisville. He is the man in charge of the wardrobe for the show. He gave us a tour of what he calls the bunker. It's where all of the different costumes are kept and the place where the actors change in between scenes.

"At any given time, there can be 24 actors and 8 dressers getting ready to go on stage and put on a performance. It's a busy place," said Coultas.

Every single costume in the bunker is created specifically for "The Lion King." Only custom prints and fabrics are used to make the garments. Many of the pieces are custom dyed to create the bight and vivid colors.

Getting the actors in the correct costumes can be tricky, but there's a detailed strategic plan to make the show go on.

The actors' names are located above the costumes they must wear. There are even pictures behind the costumes depicting what the actor should look like before he or she takes the stage.

The number of costumes used in the show is amazing. "Typical dancers wear 12 different costumes and ensemble members wear 6 costumes and they can be in and out of those costumes 4 times," said Coultas.

Coultas calls a night in the bunker a crazy dance and something he loves and lives for.

Candyce got to go behind the scenes to learn about the amazing puppets that bring characters to life. Michael Reilly is the puppet master who keeps track of all the working parts. He even has to make repairs.

Here's more information about the show.

THE LION KING will play Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Saturday matinees at 2:00 pm, Sunday matinees at 1:00 pm and Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item, are also available. Beginning Thursday, December 4, tickets will be available at The Kentucky Center Box Office, by calling 502-584-7777 or online at www.KentuckyCenter.org . Tickets are also available at www.Ticketmaster.com and www.BroadwayinLouisville.com.

About the Lion King:

In its 18th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway, London's West End, Hamburg, Tokyo, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Australia and on tour across North America, the U.K., and Japan.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

For more information worldwide, visit www.LionKing.com.