Students at the J.S. Jenks Academy for Arts and Sciences will stage their version of the cherished Broadway and film musical “The Lion King” Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 18. The award-winning hit show traces the circle of life on the African plain with colorful costumes, masks and puppets, with music by Elton John and Tim Rice.

For the production at the Jenks school, “The students integrated science technology and visual arts using our 3D printers to create the headdresses,” art instructor Jon Tietz said. “We also used fashion design techniques” to create the looks for the show’s iconic animal characters.

Costs for the musical’s costumes and other supplies were underwritten by a $2,000 gift from The Chestnut Hill Hotel. Wish-makers visiting the hotel and its courtyard helped bring the show to life. 

“We had been collecting change from the fountains for many years prior to the pandemic. However, it was only just recently that we had the time to sort, wrap, and turn these coins into cash,” hotel general manager John Pollack told Friends of J.S. Jenks President Emily Plowman. “We asked our employees for their ideas as to how we use the funds, and two have students at Jenks, and they made the suggestion to donate it to the school.”

“The Lion King” is an appropriate production for Jenks as the Chestnut Hill school celebrates its 100th year in 2023, school principal Corinne Scioli said. 

“The Lion King reminds us of the circle of life encompassing past, present and future. As our young students pass through these hallways, they too graduate and go on to do great things. Then we see them raise their own children, and they too attend Jenks as we continue to give back and build the leaders of the past, present and future."

Tickets for the musical are $5, on sale Wednesday and Thursday when doors open at 4:30 p.m. The show begins at 5 p.m.