The queue to see The Lion King snaked through the car park at Aquinas College Menai last week.
And no wonder with the parish priest from St Patrick's College Sutherland, Father Dan McCaughan, swapping his church gown for a wild suit for the sold-out production by Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Miranda.
Fr McCaughan played the lead role of Mufasa in the play being performed on November 21 before a full house.
The performing priest says working on The Lion King has been a gift.
"It has been a way of strengthening the relationship between the parish and the school community," he said.
"It gives the opportunity not only for the kids but especially the parents, to connect with a priest over something not specifically religious and thereby making the church more approachable when they have that desire or need to want to talk about something deeper."
He said the show's themes connected with the audience.
"Fatherhood, friendship, loyalty and facing one's past, will resonate," he said. "I really enjoyed The Lion King when it came out but doing the musical has really made me appreciate how beautiful and strong these themes are in the story."
Music and creative arts teacher, Anne-Marie McAdams, said the colourful production involved all pupils from the primary school.
"The production involved every student in the school - 444 students from K-6, and has been a community effort right from the start," she said.
"Our teachers and parents have also been involved through costuming, props, scenery and ticketing."
