Yesterday, I was in Philadelphia to meet composer Robert Moran for lunch, and we wound up at Indian Restaurant (yes, that’s the name) at 1634 South Street. We were the only ones eating in, until the arrival of a third diner, who couldn’t help but overhear our fascinating conversation, as we sat in the window of the otherwise empty establishment. This is how we came to meet Darlene Drew, a musician, it turns out, in town with a touring production of “The Lion King.” That’s Darlene in the pit, during the show, playing no fewer than 13 ethnic flutes! She’s been doing this for 20 years, and has received a fair amount of press for it, as here, in Salt Lake City…

and here, at the Kennedy Center:

https://wjla.com/news/local/iconic-disney-the-lion-king-returns-kennedy-center-flutist-darlene-drew-plays-13-flutes-throughout-show-music-musician-performance?fbclid=IwAR0bMKMqThDI6ICxG6sfEFnmQk2aP5JytChOFNSyXJISZuuh5D0EIxS8L2M

You can learn more about her at her website.

https://www.darlenedrew.com/

“The Lion King” continues in Philadelphia at the Academy of Music through September 10.

PHOTOS: Fast friends in Philadelphia