My jaw was sore by the time I left Wharton Center on Saturday night. In about every scene of Disney's "The Lion King" I found something that absolutely stunned me.

I had previously heard of all the success "The Lion King" has had around the world. Although I was intrigued, I never made the effort to see the show.

With all the hype surrounding the show, I'll admit I was slightly skeptical. I mean, how cool could the show really be?

As I found out, it was amazing. I wish I had seen it sooner, and I think everyone should stampede to the theater immediately.

The costumes are probably the aspect of the show that everyone talks about. They completely blew me away. The size of them was unbelievable. I never expected to see an almost life-size elephant careening down one of the aisles in the Wharton Center. Nor did I expect to see 18-foot giraffes.

It was some of the most creative costuming I've ever seen. Watching the actors double as puppeteers while acting and singing must have been difficult, but they pull it off flawlessly.

Secondly, the set is a stunner. The production makes use of Wharton's space. One hundred and twelve seats were removed from the theater to create aisles. Anyone near the aisles can get an up-close view of the performers as they parade down them multiple times.

It doesn't stop there. Two actors actually perform above the audience from columns on either side of the theater. And another two are stationed in the balcony at the beginning of the act two.

Then there is the stage floor. It has trap doors, parts that rise, cutouts and sections that turn. It makes for really dramatic entrances and scene changes. And the rest of the set is colorful and dramatic.

Additionally, the music is beautiful, the acting is top quality and the story line is just as funny, or perhaps more so, than the animated movie.

Basically the entire show is candy for your eyes. It surrounds you and is sometimes overwhelmingly emotional.

Plus it's right on campus. This is the type of show that normally goes to larger cities. Following East Lansing, this production is continuing to Houston, Philadelphia and San Diego. If you miss it now, you'll have to find another nationally touring show, go to New York or abroad.

There's so much more I'd love to tell you to convince you to go, but I know when to stop because I don't want to prevent you from enjoying the surprise of the next dazzling costume, set change or funny joke.

So if there is only one theater production you see all year, make it "The Lion King."

Visit www.whartoncenter.com for dates, times and ticket information.