LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — In its return to The Smith Center, Disney’s The Lion King set up shop for two weeks in Las Vegas, and none of it would be possible without puppet supervisor Michael Reilly.

Inside The Lion King: 230 puppets bring magic to Las Vegas stage See the Puppets and Las Vegas Locals Who Make Disney's "The Lion King" Shine

“A very difficult puppet, aren’t you Zazu?” he asked the puppet he was holding while shaking its head no. “Yes you are,” he responded.

He’s responsible for 230 puppets in the show.

“The hardest part about Zazu. The actor who plays Zazu, Nick LaMedica, he has to do it all from behind Zazu’s head. He can’t see what Zazu’s doing,” Reilly said.

KTNV

He says it takes five weeks before someone playing Zazu goes into the show. It can take a full six months befo

See Full Page