Image Source: Flickr user brownpau [1]
In its tagline, Publix famously states that it makes grocery shopping a pleasure. For many shoppers, Publix more than delivers on that promise. In Lakeland, FL — where Publix is actually headquartered — a high school recently debuted its 30-minute musical all about the beloved supermarket chain [2] and its founder, George W. Jenkins.
On Jan. 26, students of the Harrison School for the Arts performed the spirited musical at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. Titled When You Dream, the musical covers Jenkins's journey from Piggy Wiggly employee to grocery store owner. The school's principal, Daryl Ward, wrote and directed the musical, while the original music was provided by Lakeland High School teacher Tyler Campbell.
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"I never met Mr. George," Ward said in an interview [5] with The Ledger. "I didn't really know him, but I was here as Pubilx was becoming Publix. I do get, in a very real way, the community impact that Publix and the Jenkins family have had on our community."
Though When You Dream was really only a one-night-only performance, there will be an encore performance on April 7 for the school's annual fundraising gala [6].