The magic of Mary Poppins
<p>Mikey Winn as Bert Late and Amy Beth Chisholm as Mary Poppins rehearse "Jolly Holiday" on Monday, Nov. 30, at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. The performance of "Mary Poppins," directed by Jesse DeVine, will open with a preview on Dec. 3 for $10, and will continue with shows on Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 4 p.m. with tickets for $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $8 for students.</p>
<p>Mikey Winn as Bert Late.</p>
<p>Mary Poppins, played by Amy Beth Chisholm, measures her new charges, Jane and Michael Banks, played by Eloise McKeon and Jackson Schindler, as they rehearse a scene from "Mary Poppins."</p>
<p>Amy Beth Chisholm as Mary Poppins and Mikey Winn as Bert Late.</p>
<p>Dianne Guenther as the Bird Woman.</p>
<p>Charity Ambrose as Winifred Banks gathers her children in for a hug.</p>
<p>Cast members Eloise McKeon, Amy Beth Chisholm and Jackson Schindler goof off together when director Jesse DeVine calls for a hold during a dress rehearsal. A hold is a chance for the production crew to make notes and changes to the timeline as they prepare for the opening of the play. This moment of camaraderie shows the closeness of the cast who have been working together since mid-September.</p><p>"This is going to be a great show," Chisholm said. "Fantastic music, great singing, beautiful costumes, and a cast that has really bonded and enjoys working tog…
<p>Amy Beth Chisholm and members of the cast sing "Jolly Holiday."</p>
<p>Charity Ambrose as Winifred Banks and Christoph Lawton as George Banks.</p>
<p>Jackson Schindler, Eloise McKeon and Amy Beth Chisholm.</p>
<p>Ensemble members of the cast of "Mary Poppins."</p>
<p>Ensemble members of the cast of "Mary Poppins."</p>
The Whitefish Theatre Co. is bringing the magic of “Mary Poppins” to the O’Shaughnessy Center just in time for the holidays.
The musical opens with a sneak preview Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 4 p.m.
“Mary Poppins” is a stage adaptation of the Walt Disney film of the same name. It tells the story of a mysterious nanny who magically appears in Edwardian London to care for Jane and Michael Banks. It follows the trio’s adventures together, which includes dancing with chimney sweeps, singing shopkeepers and interactions with an array of other colorful characters.
Mikey Winn plays Bert Late, and said although the dancing has been physically demanding, the heartfelt end result is worth it.
“My favorite part of doing the show is that I’m getting to be a part of what was a childhood favorite of mine,” Winn said. “It’s fun to get up there and play, to make believe and to get to be part of what was once a favorite film.
“For the audience this will be a chance to revisit a childhood favorite that is still different than the movie. There will be magic and flying and beautiful costumes!”
The musical features all of that and more. The flying effects are being achieved by a local crew trained by ZFX. The flying team includes Rick Early, Greg Postell and Nick Dalimata. Postell and Dalimata are also appearing in the cast ensemble.
“While every show has its’ challenges, this one was especially difficult due to the added element of flying,” said Director Jesse DeVine. “Our theatre is a traditional thrust stage with a limited grid and no fly system ... we had to get very creative to make this element even possible.”
DeVine said the saving grace of the flying effects was the team’s previous experience making actors “fly” in 2008’s production of “Peter Pan.”
While the show dazzles with elaborate costumes, sets and special effects, the audience can still expect to be treated to the familiar songs and characters that made “Mary Poppins” the film such a classic. The stage musical has been the winner of 44 major theatre awards internationally, and features songs such as the Academy Award-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” “Step in Time.”
“This is a heart-warming show,” said Charity Ambrose, who plays Winifred Banks. “It will be really good for families because it is a nice reminder of what family is all about.”
As part of the 33-person cast, Mary Poppins is played by Amy Beth Chisholm, Jane Banks is played by Eloise McKeon, Michael Banks is played by Jackson Schindler, George Banks is played by Christoph Lawton, and Miss Andrews is played by Laura Fox. Also contributing to the design of “Mary Poppins” are Karla West, musical director; Laurel Peterson, scenic artist; and Colin Arakaki, lighting and sound designer. The costumes are designed by Lonnie Porro and her cast of seamstresses who’ve worked tirelessly to make more than 100 costumes for the show.
The production will also feature live music by West, John Goodrich and Andrew Campbell.
“[This show has] great music, amazing costumes, and I think it’s just really well done,” said McKeon, 11. “People can learn to care more about their own family; your work life isn’t the most important thing.”
The cast and crew working together to bring “Mary Poppins” to Whitefish has created a family all its own.
“This cast became a family and it was my great honor to be but one of its’ many devoted members,” DeVine said. “I hope the audience will agree each cast member brings something special to his/her role that, when viewed collectively, makes for one impressive theatrical experience.”
Tickets for the Whitefish Theatre Co. “Mary Poppins” are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $8 for students with reserved seating. Tickets for the sneak preview performance Dec. 3 are $10 sold only at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish, or by calling 406-862-5371. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before performance times. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.
The show is sponsored by Whitefish Credit Union. The sponsor for the student outreach performance is American Bank.
For more information, call 406-862-5371 or visit www.whitefishtheatreco.org.
Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.