Sure, the idea of giving any more money to Disney is extremely unappetizing, especially when it means shelling out big bucks for some Broadway adaptation of a grandiose cartoon featuring a singing meerkat. And the Elton John/Tim Rice score? Bleah. So why bother? One reason: Julie Taymor. If you’ve seen director Taymor’s film work—which includes Titus and Frida—you know her visceral, visionary way with storytelling, and every advance report confirms she worked magic elevating Uncle Walt’s African wildlife musical melodrama into something approaching sublime grandeur. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 206-292-ARTS. $25-$125. Opens Tues. Nov. 30. 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 6:30 p.m. Sun.; 2 p.m matinee Sat.; 1 p.m. matinee Sun. Ends Sun. Jan. 16. STEVE WIECKING

Worldfest

The Ethnic Heritage Council’s Winter Worldfest presents a different kind of Thanksgiving program, with music and dance from local artists who represent the breadth of our cultural heritage. The program includes Comerford School of Irish Dance, Kaanucksoo-Tlingit Songs and Dances, La Pena Flamenca, Main Street Cloggers, Siam Sangkeit, and Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble (with Tibor Horvath). Center House, Seattle Center, 206-443-1410. Free. 1 p.m. Fri. Nov. 26-Sun. Nov. 28. SANDRA KURTZ