This story was originally published on Passionfruit.
In Minecraft, anything is possible. Since its launch in 2009, Microsoft’s simplistic but deeply enthralling sandbox experience has allowed anyone with an imagination to create whatever they desire. With over 140 million monthly players using basic building blocks and the game’s suite of tools, they’ve been able to build real-world monuments, roleplaying shows watched by millions, and even a working computer.
Though those may be impressive, only one community of Broadway enthusiasts has managed to replicate the razzle-dazzle of show time in a virtual space, allowing attendees to experience a version of the metaverse unlike any other.
An immersive theatergoing experience
The Lion King musical is one of the most successful theatrical productions of all time, taking Disney’s classic animated film inspired by Hamlet and combining it with outlandish theatrics (and puppets), the show has appeared in over 20 countries and has continuously run since 1997. When I was six years old, my parents took me to see the play on Broadway, though unfortunately, it was from the highest seats in the back row. I distinctly recall struggling to see the ornate sets and fanciful puppets, leaving me with an incomplete memory and an itch only Simba could scratch.
