Making boring chords (strumming them) interesting

Hey guys.

I am playing for the school play at my 'highschool' and we have reached a quite boring song from The Lions King: Circle of Life.

Now: My question is how to play the chords in a none boring way. I've been trying my way around by: Strumming, picking, finger picking and so on. But I just can't seem to find anything that works!

Maybe you could try some small chord substitutions. Maybe simple functional chord substitutions. Analyze the progression, and see which chords you can substitute with others, or to which you can add tensions or color. Try adding your own interpretation to it.