Ben Lipitz and Pumbaa have been together for a long time

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PROVIDENCE – If you’ve seen “The Lion King” on tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), chances are you’ve seen Ben Lipitz as Pumbaa. Lipitz recently celebrated his 5,000th performance as the famous warthog and returns to Providence later this month.

 

Aside from hogging around on stage, the New Jersey native uses some of his time off to work closely with Jewish organizations to teach master classes and outreach programs for teens.

If you’re not familiar with the classic film or six-time Tony Award winning musical, the story revolves around Simba, a lion, in search of his identity before he’s crowned king. He eventually meets Timon and Pumbaa, who educate him on “Hakuna Matata,” which means “no worries.”

“Pumbaa is a very special character, he’s an everyman, and he kind of embodies Hakuna Matata, and we all secretly wish that we could be like that,” the 51-year-old Cherry Hill native said in a recent interview. “I get to have the time of my life every time I step onto the stage.”

Lipitz got the acting bug when he was in the third grade and played a Jewish reindeer. “It was a comic relief bit and once I heard the laughter, that was it – it bit,” he said.

The youngest of three, he would do things to get attention. “I knew early what I wanted to do, and I’ve been very fortunate for that.”

Lipitz was raised in a Jewish household and works hard to give back to his community. While on tour, he often reaches out to Jewish organizations to teach classes. He was very involved in USY while growing up, and wanted to offer the same opportunities he was privileged to experience – if not more.

But most importantly, he feels that his performance as Pumbaa embodies the concept of tikkun olam, which means “repairing the world.” Each comedic performance is his way of healing the world. “Every night when I step onto the stage, that’s my contribution,” he said. “That’s the biggest part of my heritage that I connect to every night.”

Lipitz has been with the company since the tour started in 2002. He’s been able to take a few breaks to perform in other productions, like “The Producers” and “God of Carnage,” but for the majority of his career, he has played Pumbaa and sees no end in sight.

“I’ve come to a place where I take the stage every night as if it’s the last time I’ll ever do it,” said Lipitz. “If that’s the one show I’m going to remember, then that’s the one I’m going to carry on for the rest of my life, then that’s the performance I’m going to give.”

Lipitz now calls the Poconos his home when he’s not traveling with the show. He lives there with his wife, Rosalie, and their two children.

“The show has always been a large part of my family’s life,” he said.

Both his children were born while Lipitz was on the road. “They’ve traveled with the company, too,” he said.

“The Lion King” is still a huge success on Broadway and is currently the third longest running musical behind “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Chicago.” It’s also the highest-grossing Broadway show ever, having been seen by some 64 million people in 15 countries. This is the third time the show will play at PPAC.

Lipitz has performed the role on Broadway as well. The difference between performing it on Broadway: “I get to go home to my actual bed,” he said with a laugh.

Lipitz said he believes the show continues to be such a success because it appeals to all ages; every night the audience falls in love with the story. “The representation of life takes your breath away,” he said. “Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ is a story that changes lives because of that grand vision and sense that anything is possible.”

“The Lion King” will play in Providence Feb. 28-March 19. Tickets are available at the PPAC box office, 220 Weybosset St., Providence, online at www.ppacri.org or by calling 401-421-ARTS (2787).

SETH CHITWOOD is the co-founder and creative director of the award-winning production company Angelwood Pictures, angelwoodpictures.com. He is a Rhode Island College graduate.