Senior Company
Students continue to advance their skills in singing, dancing & acting while working on a full Broadway Musical Production!
For Students entering
Grades 7 – 10 in September, 2024
REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 17th!
The Show
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way:
As a practically perfect musical!
Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Cameron MacKintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences fro over 2500 performances and received nominations for 9 Olivier and 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The Jack-of-all trades, Bert,introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.” Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft. The show contains many new songs that were written specifically for the Broadway production that are not in the original Disney movie.
As we want to make this production our own, we would recommend NOT watching other productions online so you don’t get a preconceived idea of how the show goes and who the characters are. We want you to discover your characters for yourselves! We will also be doing a few things differently due to some of the technical challenges involved in this show. We do, however, recommend you LISTEN to the music!
Why We Chose this show…
Mary Poppins is a wonderful, family friendly show with tons of heart! There are many challenging roles, including a large variety of highlight roles that each have solo singing opportunities. The dance numbers are fun and challenging, giving us a chance to teach many new skills to the group.
** Note that we will NOT be using British accents for the show.
The Musical Numbers
Overture/Prologue (Chim Chim Cher-ee)
Cherry Tree Lane (Part 1)
The Perfect Nanny
Cherry Tree Lane (Part 2)
Practically Perfect
All Me Own Work
Jolly Holiday
Let’s Hope She Will Stay/ Being Mrs Bank
Winds Do Change
A Spoonful of Sugar
Precision and Order
A Man Has Dreams
Feed the Birds
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Twists and Turns
Chim Chim Chre-ee (Reprise)
Cherry Tree Lane (Reprise)
Brimstone and Treacle
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
Good for Nothing [Cherry Tree Lane – Reprise]
Being Mrs. Banks (Reprise)
Brimstone and Treacle (Part 2)
Practically Perfect (Reprise)
A Chimney Swept (Chim Chim)/ Step in Time
A Man Had Dreams (Reprise)/ A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)
Anything Can Happen (Part 1)
Give Us the Word
A Spoonful of Sugar (Reprise)/ Finale
Bows / Supercalafragalistic
The Characters
Bert
The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, and is a song-and-dance man.
Songs: Prologue, Cherry Tree Lane, All Me Own Work, Jolly Holiday, Winds Do Change, Spoonful of Sugar, Supercali…, Twists & Turns, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Step in Time, Anything Can Happen & various reprises (solos, small ensemble and large ensemble singing)
Mary Poppins
Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, kind and caring. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes.
Songs: Practically Perfect, Jolly Holiday, Spoonful of Sugar, Feed The Birds, Supercali…, Chim Chim Cheree, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Brimstone & Treacle, Anything Can Happen & Various reprises (solos, small ensemble and large ensemble singing)
George Banks
The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a man who doesn’t have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armour, however, conceals a sensitive soul.
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane, Precision & Order, A Man Has Dreams, Good For Nothing, Give Us the Word (solos, small ensemble and large ensemble singing)
Winifred Banks
George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is kind and loving and busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane, I Hope She’ll Stay, Being Mrs Banks, Spoonful of Sugar, Anything Can Happen (solos, small ensemble & large ensemble singing)
Mrs. Corry
Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious, colourful, magical woman.
Songs: Supercalifragalistic (solo & large ensemble singing)
Jane Banks
The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious. She longs for attention and love.
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane, The Perfect Nanny, Practically Perfect, Jolly Holiday, I Hope She’ll Stay Spoonful of Sugar, Feed The Birds, Supercali…, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Anything Can Happen & Various reprises (solos, small ensemble and large ensemble singing)
Michael Banks
The cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane, The Perfect Nanny, Practically Perfect, Jolly Holiday, I Hope She’ll Stay, Spoonful of Sugar, Feed The Birds, Supercali…, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Anything Can Happen & Various reprises (solos, small ensemble and large ensemble singing)
Mrs. Brill
The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general, and Mary Poppins in particular.
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane & Reprises (solo lines & small ensemble sections)
Robertson Ay
The houseboy to the Banks family. A bit sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless.
Songs: Cherry Tree Lane & Reprises, Spoonful of Sugar (solo lines and small ensemble singing)
Bird Woman
Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist.
Songs: Feed The Birds (solo verses)
Neleus
The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. A strong dancer.
Songs: Jolly Holiday (solo & small ensemble singing)
Katie Nanna
Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
Non Singing Role
Miss Andrew
George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things – her way.
Songs: Brimstone & Treacle (solo & duet singing)
Policeman
A neighbourhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.
Large ensemble singing with possible solo lines
Park Keeper
Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
Large ensemble singing with possible solo lines
Bank Chairman
The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt.
Songs: Precision & Order, Anything Can Happen (solo & large ensemble singing)
Miss Smythe
The Bank Chairman’s humourless secretary.
Songs: Precision & Order (possible solo lines & large ensemble singing)
Von Huster
A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal.
Songs: Precision & Order (solo & large ensemble singing)
John Northbrook
An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community.
Songs: Precision & Order (solo & large ensemble singing)
Chimney Sweeps, Parkgoers, Statues, Bank Personnel, Talking Shop Clients
There are many additional small characters with speaking lines as well as the opportunity to add in solo lines for some of those characters.
Songs: Prologue, Practically Perfect, Jolly Holiday, Precision & Order, Spoonful of Sugar, Supercalifragilistic, Step In Time, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Anything Can Happen & Various Reprises.
NOTE:
All cast members will be in every possible dance number…even those playing some of the larger roles. We will be doing lots of costume changes to make that happen!
We aim to have everyone participate in “Step In Time” and “Supercalifragalistic…”.
Course Details
This course rehearses from September 2024- June 2025.
Course concludes with a year end production & 3 performances of a musical onstage at Metro Theatre.
There are no auditions to enrol in this course…students just need to have a positive attitude, strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. However, while it isn’t necessary, we do recommend that students have some experience in singing, dancing or acting for our Senior Course. All students will have the opportunity to audition for a variety of roles within the show.
We encourage parents to remind their children that every role is an important one and that being part of a strong ensemble group is what theatre is all about!
**Students registering for this course must commit to being at EVERY possible rehearsal unless absent for illness or a required activity for school.
Dates
Course Dates:
Sept 11th, 2024 – June 11th, 2025
Rehearsal Day & Time:
Wednesdays 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Rehearsal Location:
Knox United Church Sanctuary Building
PERFORMANCE DATES – Mandatory Attendance
Tech Rehearsal:
Thursday, June 12th, 2025
Performances:
Friday, June 13th, 2025 (7pm)
Saturday, June 14th, 2025 (2pm & 7pm)
IMPORTANT: This is a performance course. Participants MUST be available for the TECH REHEARSAL on June 1st and ALL 3 PERFORMANCES on June 2nd & 3rd. Please do not register if students have conflicts on these dates.
Senior Company Course Fees:
Registration Fee:
$1250 (includes $150 non-refundable deposit)
Ticket Fee:
$480 (20 tickets @ $24 each)
**All fees must be included with your registration package
Payment Options:
Registration Fee
Cheque Option
If paying by cheque, the registration fee may be paid in 2 instalments of $625.
1st Cheque:
Dated for day of registration
2nd Cheque:
Post dated for January 1, 2025
**Both Cheques are due at time of registration
Registration Fee
E-transfer Option
If paying by e-transfer, the total amount of $1250 is due at time of registration.
*e-transfers can be sent to actingupmusicaltheatre@gmail.com
Ticket Fee
Payable by Cheque Only
Each student’s family is required to sell 20 tickets for the shows.
A $480 post dated cheque for May 1st, 2025 is required with your registration package.
**Families will receive their 20 tickets in May which can then be sold for $24 each to help recover this cost.
SENIOR COMPANY REGISTRATION:
If you would like to register for the Senior Company:
**PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL AT actingupmusicaltheatre@gmail.com TO CONFIRM.
Spots will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
ONCE YOU HAVE RECIEVED AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THAT A SPOT IS BEING HELD FOR YOU :
You will be sent all of the registration material including forms, policies, a complete rehearsal schedule and a detailed list of what to include in your registration package.
Audition material will be sent out once we have received your registration package.
Auditioning for Roles
NOTE: While we do not audition students for the actual Company, we do need to audition within the group to help us assign roles for the show. Specific audition information will be sent out to those who confirm their spots. But here are a few general notes:
ALL STUDENTS will be asked to submit a video of themselves singing a short song (or two) that we choose in order to help us cast the show.
We’ll make sure you have everything you need to help you learn and prepare the song, including a practice vocal track, music and lyrics and a performance track for you to use in your video. We will also send out detailed recording instructions.
Videos will not be due until September so students will have lots of time to practice and prepare their audition video over the summer. We’ll keep it simple!
In Person Auditions:
In person auditions will take place during our first few rehearsals.
Our in person auditions are as low stress as we can make them. They are simply designed to help us cast everyone in a role that suits them the best.
In person auditions consist of group singing, various styles of dancing and reading through scenes 6from the script.
Our goal is to help the students learn so we try to cast students in roles that will challenge them or allow them to try out new skills.
Those students who wish to take on a solo singing role may be asked to sing one of their songs again in person at this time.
Individual Practice – VERY IMPORTANT!
Students will be expected to practice at home and to arrive at rehearsals each week having reviewed what was taught the previous week.
Practice tracks & performance tracks will be sent out to students so they can practice their songs at home.
All choreography will be filmed where possible, with videos emailed to the students after rehearsals so they can practice throughout the week.
If a student misses a rehearsal, they will be expected to use these videos to practice so that they don’t fall behind.
Detailed practice notes will also be sent out regularly so students know what to prepare for the coming week.