The Orpheum Theatre was built in 1926. It recently underwent a $20 million renovation in order to bring it up to standards for today’s touring Broadway shows. The Lion King opened in San Francisco on Nov. 1 and will complete its run, Jan. 13, 2013.

The bus will depart at around 1 p.m. and plans to drive non-stop until they reach their destination. After arriving in San Francisco, the students and parents will eat dinner at California Pizza Kitchen near the theatre before the show. After the show, the group will return to the school around 2 a.m..

Trip organizer and English teacher Molly Sargent scheduled the trip in order to give the students an opportunity to experience Broadway.

“I arranged the trip in order to provide interested students with the opportunity to see a Broadway show without having to travel to New York City,” Sargent said. “Part of a liberal arts education involves exposure to the various forms and genres of art, including theatre.”

For Sargent, seeing plays has been an influential part in her passion and appreciation for literature and the arts.

“Attending a well acted, well staged production can be a magical experience,” Sargent said. “I still remember the first play I ever saw; my experience there provided the initial spark to my ongoing love of literature and live theatre. I love a good book because of its intensely personal nature and experience, but I love a good play because I am transported to a different time and place. I become part of the production because of my presence in the theatre.”

For junior Adam Loughney, he looks forward to the entire trip, including spending time with friends and watching a childhood movie come to life on stage.

“I am interested in seeing Disney’s Lion King as I have watched the movie,” Loughney said. “I really wanted to watch a live version. I am looking forward to spending time with friends. I am interested in the theatrical display of the music with choreography. I am most interested in when Simba meets Pumba and the meercat-guy, Timone, when they take in Simba as one of their own. The song they sing at that time of the play is my favorite.”

Annalise Rosik, ’14, is excited for the opportunity so close to home. She also is looking forward to the full orchestra.

“I’ve seen three other Broadway plays and I enjoy the music, especially the full orchestra sound with live singers and actors,” Rosik said. “You can’t get this kind of experience anywhere else. I know the costumes play a huge role in the production and I am very interested to see how they portray people as animals in the play.”

For more news, read the Dec. 6 article, BRIEF: Give Toys for Tots.