It began with a record and ended with a roar — from an 11-foot-tall puppet lion at Balboa Park.
The lion puppet was the star of the zoo’s centennial show. Photo by Chris Stone
Celebrating the San Diego Zoo’s centennial, a packed Spreckels Organ Pavilion was treated Saturday night to a half-hour Broadway-style stage show including 250 local performers.
Grammy and Tony Award-winning singer Heather Headley, who originated the role of Nala in “The Lion King” on Broadway, belted out: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand.”
Many were touched — and amazed, including three generations of women in one local family.
Jean Mader of Allied Gardens, a San Diegan since 1952, was accompanied by her 59-year-old daughter Charlotte Raymo and 21-year-old granddaughter Lydia Raymo, both of Bonita.
Mader, 89, whose husband was a pastor, loved the light show painted on the pavilion, saying it “helps us understand how God loves beauty.”
Daughter Charlotte said: “I thought the elephant was real” at first.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Councilman Todd Gloria (whose District 3 includes Balboa Park) read parts of a script on stage — a history of the zoo.
Former San Diego Zoo ambassador Joan Embery watches the musical tribute to the zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
With a white mane of hair, 64-year-old Joan Embery, the famed zoo ambassador for three decades, also took part as well in the production by Mark Joseph Creative.
Two dozen puppets made in the New York studios of Eric Wright’s Puppet Kitchen were operated by 30 dancers. Th colorful creations depicted an elephant, rhino, giraffes, monkeys, flamingos — and a lion who emerged from a huge gift box.
A 53-piece orchestra, accompanied in parts by a 130-person choir, played an original score, composed to represent each animal species featured in the show.
Earlier, San Diego’s official civic organist Carol Williams gave a 20-minute concert at the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ.
With Plaza de Panama thronged by thousands under cool and overcast skies, the Balboa Park event was part county fair, Broadway Show and food truck extravaganza (at least a dozen) — with a Guinness World Record hand-puppet show to boot.
Guinness record adjudicator Kim Patrick of New York made the announcement around 8 p.m. — that 508 people taking up 25 middle rows at the organ pavilion had set an inaugural world record.
Bob Wiese, San Diego Zoo Global chief life sciences officer, helped set a Guinness World Record for a hand puppet show. Photo by Chris Stone
It was a new category, she said.
Only 250 were needed to set the record, organizers said. One of several “Dr. Zoolittles” (this one with a British accent and 25 years at the park) acted as emcee, and rehearsed the paper-bag-puppet crowd in elements of the story — about how Dr. Harry Wegeworth was inspired by Prince the lion of the original 1915-1916 Panama-California Exposition to start the San Diego Zoo.
At front row center, with his own puppet, was Robert “Bob” Wiese, chief life sciences officer of San Diego Zoo Global. He was among perhaps hundreds of zoo employees and volunteers to staff the event. (The zoo was closed Saturday night.)
With two stages and a series of bands — plus face-painting and activity booths — the interior of the park was a fun zone for children. A second Dr. Zoolittle invited children and adults to sample a protein treat — dried insects like mealworms.
Wright, 34, said the stage production and animal-puppet show was 1 1/2 years in the making, including visits to the San Diego Zoo for research.
“We drew a huge amount of inspiration,” he said.
One of several “Dr. Zoolittles”too part in activities. This one led th record puppet show. Photo by Ken Stone
Zoo stilt-walkers strolled and posed in the Plaza de Panama. Photo by Ken Stone
More than 50 symphonic musicians performed an original score for the zoo centennial. Photo by Ken Stone
Some 508 people set a Guinness World Record for hand-puppet show at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Photo by Ken Stone
A form was filled out for the Guinness World Record for the inaugual event of the most people doing a hand puppet show. Photo by Chris Stone
Zoo stilt-walkers pose for photos with attendees. Photo by Chris Stone
Attendees stroll past food trucks that lined a road in Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer helps narrate the history of the San Diego Zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
“Dr. Zoolittle” leads more than 500 people in a puppet show. Photo by Chris Stone
Singers and musicians entertained the crowds while they strolled and ate from food trucks. Photo by Chris Stone
A lion puppet emerges from a gift box on the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage. Photo by Chris Stone
A condor puppet soars through the crowd with the help of a puppeteer. Photo by Chris Stone
San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria helps narrate the history of the San Diego Zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
Orchestra music accompanied singers and dancers. Photo by Chris Stone
Children dance to music performed in front of the San Diego Museum of Art. Photo by Chris Stone
Several face painting booths were set up around the Balboa Park Prado. Photo by Chris Stone
Performers and dancers entertain thousands of people at the Centennial Community Celebration for the zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
Former San Diego Zoo ambassador Joan Embery takes part in the zoo’s centennial celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
Performers and dancers entertain thousands of people at the Centennial Community Celebration for the zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
Performers and dancers entertain thousands of people at the Centennial Community Celebration for the zoo. Photo by Chris Stone
A young girl with a lion mask watches a porcupine eat. Photo by Chris Stone
Children were led in break dance moves in Balboa Park as part of a celebration of the zoo’s 100th birthday. Photo by Chris Stone
Children delighted in getting a close-up look at a porcupine at a show in Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Participants of all ages wanted to be part of setting a world record. Photo by Chris Stone
“Dr. Zoolittle” leads the crowd of more than 500 in a puppet show rehearsal. Photo by Chris Stone
A world record participant with face painting gets his puppet ready. Photo by Chris Stone
The Spreckels Organ Pavillion is bathed in colorful lights for the zoo’s 100th birthday. Photo by Chris Stone
Two girls hold mealworms given to them by “Dr. Zoolittle,” but seem hesitant to eat as instructed. Photo by Chris Stone
Tony and Grammy award-winner Heather Headley performs at the San Diego Zoo Centennial celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
“Dr. Zoolittle” displays the Guinness World Record certificate for the hand puppet accomplishment. Photo by Chris Stone
Animal puppets and performers’ dance highlighted the San Diego Zoo Centennial Community Celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
The 11-foot-tall, 15-foot-long lion puppet (with people inside) was the star of the zoo’s centennial show. Photo by Chris Stone
Tony and Grammy award-winner Heather Headley performs at the San Diego Zoo Centennial celebration. Photo by Chris Stone
Dr. Zoolittle’s feather hat stands out in the spotlight. Photo by Chris Stone
Bob Wiese, San Diego Zoo Global chief life sciences officer, helped set a Guinness World Record for a hand puppet show in Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
Some 508 people helped set a Guinness World Record for performing a hand puppet show in Balboa Park. Photo by Chris Stone
