Like so many, I first fell in love with Mary Poppins as a child. It is the fun and quirky story of Mary Poppins, the nanny who is "practically perfect in every way." I loved the music and the combination of film with animation. I also remember marveling at the amazing talents of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.
The stage version of Mary Poppins debuted on Broadway in 2006. I had the opportunity to see the North American Tour at The Kennedy Center in 2010. I absolutely loved how they adapted the story for the stage - bringing in new songs and new characters, with a storyline that was truer to the original books by P.L. Travers. I loved getting a more in-depth look at the Banks family, and even Mary Poppins herself. I found myself highly entertained with the stellar production numbers, and also crying as I resonated and connected with the characters. The stage version is certainly NOT the same as the movie, but is its own beautiful piece of art. I fell even more in love with the stage version after playing Winifred Banks in a local 2015 production.
Today, you will get to witness an incredibly talented cast of 4th through 8th Graders bring this beloved tale to life right before your very eyes. These young performers have been working incredibly hard for over three months. They have embraced every challenge I have thrown at them, which has included lengthened versions of several songs, complex harmonies, complicated choreography, and in-depth conversations about the emotional messages and meaning of the show. On the heels of the fun and lighthearted The Wizard of Oz, I chose a much more complicated and difficult show. I could not be more proud of my amazing cast and crew for rising to the challenge so beautifully.
And just like The Wizard of Oz, Wakefield students have had a hand in almost every aspect of this production. This includes: the 4th/5th after school Paint Slingers Club, Middle School Technical Theater classes, Upper School Technical Theater classes, student sound and light operators, student Stage Managers, and student production assistants and run crew. This beautiful George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Theater is a wonderous and incredible classroom for our students. As a Wakefield parent and a career performer and educator - we are so incredibly fortunate here at Wakefield!
Of course, none of this would be possible without the amazing talents of my incredible Theater team here at Wakefield: Michael 'Jonz' Jones, Corinne Johnson, Ashley Cuppett, Christine Rosenfeld and Tom Kennedy. You all are superstars.
I hope, when you walk out of this performance today, that you will have laughed, cried, and been thoroughly entertained by Mary Poppins Jr. And remember...
Anything can happen if you let it
Life is out there waiting - so go and get it!
Grab it by the collar, seize it by the scruff
Once you've started living life you just can't get enough
Go on, chase your dreams - you won't regret it!
Anything can happen if you let it...
Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously Yours,
Katy Benko Miner
