A touch of magic
RACHEL HERGETT
For the Chronicle
When John Ludin, executive director of the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman and its associated production company Montana TheatreWorks, reached out to a couple trusted entertainment contacts for advice on casting the title role in the staged musical version of “Mary Poppins,” both came back with the same name: Gail Bennett.
Bennett, a New Jersey-based actress, is honored to be thought of as the go-to Mary Poppins and almost seems to be one with the role of the ultimate English nanny who helps bring together the Banks family with a touch of magic.
“What’s not to love?” she said about the role during a break in rehearsal at the Ellen on Saturday. “I get to fly and I get to make magic and I get to sing the Sherman Brothers’ songs.”
If You Go ...
“Mary Poppins” July 11-28
7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays
3 p.m. Sundays
Ellen Theatre, 17 W. Main St.
$51.75-$65 (plus fees)
www.theellentheatre.com
Bennett was on the first national tour and said this is her eighth production of “Mary Poppins,” notching over 100 performances.
“Anytime someone asks me to sing these songs and, and play like these scenes, I’m just giddy about it,” Bennett said.
But it’s not her only role. Recently, Bennett has been performing her one-woman show “Songs for Everafter” on Disney cruises, and taken on roles in “The Sound of Music” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” She is set to perform in “The Witches of Eastwick” at Slow Burn Theatre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, opening Oct. 19.
“Mary Poppins” opened at the Ellen Theatre in Bozeman on Thursday, July 11. The production runs through July 28, with performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Gail Bennett performs the title role in “Mary Poppins” in this provided image.
What’s Available NOW On
“Marvel’s Hit-Monkey” - Season 2 (July 15)
Traveling from Japan to New York City, Monkey (Fred Tatasciore) finds a path to escape his life of killing, while Bryce (Jason Sudeikis) attempts to repair the damage to those he wronged in life. But what will it cost them to undo the past? Cristin Milioti also voice stars.
“UnPrisoned” - Season 2 (July 17)
The Alexander family is still a mess. Paige’s (Kerry Washington) therapy practice is in trouble, Finn’s (Faly Rakotohavana) anxiety is through the roof, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) is still figuring out how to get his life together outside of prison, and their relationships are more complicated than ever. The family needs help, and it’s time to call in a professional – other than Paige.
BY JAY BOBBIN
BANKS
“How I Caught My Killer”Season 2 (July 18)
Season 2 of this true crime docuseries highlights more real-life stories behind unique homicide cases with in-depth interviews, authentic archival material and cinematic recreations all packaged together into a fresh spin in the genre.
Elizabeth Banks is pressing her own luck as a game show host, but since she’s entering her sixth season in that role, it’s a low risk for her at this point.
The actress (now earning raves for “A Mistake”) and filmmaker has been overseeing ABC’s revival of “Press Your Luck,” also as an executive producer along with her husband, Max Handelman. While repeats have been shown lately, the program starts new episodes Thursday, July 18. Though the network has used it at other times of the year, it’s principally been a summer staple, and its familiarity to viewers is now inspiring its use as the lead-in for a new ABC game: “Lucky 13,” hosted by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neill and actress Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”).
Banks doesn’t mind getting a bit saucy as she guides three players through each “Press Your Luck” episode’s opening game. They take spins on a giant board that lists prizes — some tailored to the given player’s interests — and cash awards. They try not to hit a so-called “Whammy” when they push a button that stops the movement on the board, but if they do, they lose their winnings accumulated in the game until then. The highest winner then proceeds to another game of their own, with even bigger rewards offered.
“I had no expectations,” Banks reflects of deciding to revisit “Press Your Luck” (originally a 1983-86 CBS daytime show) in its current incarnation. “It just felt that it would be a fun thing to do, and that for me and my family to have that kind of thing to watch would be really great. The [Season 1] ratings were good, but you just never know what to plan for, especially with what it takes to compete in broadcast TV now. I do believe we’ve improved the gameplay; it’s just so much more exciting.”
While she’s one of relatively few female hosts the game show genre has had, Banks would welcome more. “Right now is a moment when you see more women doing it,” she notes, “but it’s true that this is not a traditional
“The American” (July 19)
Based on the story of Joy Womack (Talia Ryder), one of the very few Americans ever accepted into Russia’s elite Bolshoi Ballet. Testing the limits of dedication, determination, sacrifice and virtuosity, Joy’s brilliance is an inspirational journey into the most competitive, hostile dance school in the world. Spurred on by Tatiyana Volkova (Diane Kruger), the Bolshoi’s magnetic and masterful tutor, and the searing passions of first love, Joy’s leap into the unknown touches immortal perfection. But at what price?
job for us.”
Birthdate: Feb. 10, 1974
Birthplace: Pittsfield, Mass.
Current residence: Los Angeles
Marital status: Married, has two sons
Other television credits include: “Mrs. America,” “The Simpsons,” “The Boys,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Wet Hot American Summer, Ten Years Later,” “Stand Up 2 Cancer,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Muppets,” “Moonbeam City,” “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp,” “Phineas and Ferb,” “Robot Chicken,” “Family Guy,” “30 Rock,” “Modern Family,” “Comanche Moon,” “American Dad!,” “Scrubs,” “Without a Trace,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Sex and the City,” “Third Watch,” “All My Children”
Movie credits include: “Cocaine Bear” (as director and producer), “A Mistake,” “Migration,” “The Beanie Bubble,” “Call Jane,” “Charlie’s Angels” (also director and screenwriter), “Brightburn,” “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” “The Lego Movie,” “The Happytime Murders,” “Pitch Perfect 3” (also a producer), “Pitch Perfect 2” (also a producer), “Pitch Perfect” (also a producer), “Power Rangers,” “The Hunger Games — Mockingjay: Part 1” (and “Part 2”), “Magic Mike XXL,” “Love & Mercy,” “Every Secret Thing,” “ Walk of Shame,” “Little Accidents,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “People Like Us,” “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” “The Hunger Games,” “Man on a Ledge,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “The Next Three Days,” “The Uninvited,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” “W,” “Definitely, Maybe,” “Fred Claus,” “Spider-Man 3,” “Spider-Man 2,” “Spider-Man,” “Invincible,” “Slither,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Seabiscuit,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “Swept Away,” “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Shaft”
CROSSWORD
Across
1. Lois of “Family Guy” and Marge of “The Simpsons,” e.g.
4. Hurting
7. Game just before the finals
11. Potato, on Indian menus
13. Gentle sound
14. Qatari leader
15. TV lawyer Goodman
16. Issa Rae series
18. Sandra Oh series
20. Bell sound
21. Levi’s jeans brand
25. War god
26. Actress in “Sudden Impact” (1983)
27. “Be prepared” org.
28. Mormons: Abbr.
29. Katherine of “Grey’s Anatomy”
32. “Friends” character
34. Wine component
36. “Cheers” barfly
37. Jeff Daniels Netflix series
BY JAY BOBBIN
‘The Day After Tomorrow’ is still chilling, literally
Winter won’t be back for a while, but as movies go, “The Day After Tomorrow” is a good way to prepare for it early.
Currently streaming on Hulu for a 20th-anniversary engagement, director and co-writer Roland Emmerich’s (“Independence Day”) disaster saga has been a cable-network staple since soon after its 2004 theatrical release, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a high-concept picture that poses a universal dilemma: What if mankind experienced a global freeze-over? Though the cold-weather season will remain at bay for a while, with many people more likely to stay inside, the film will be particularly relevant then.
Arjay Smith, Emmy Rossum and Jake Gyllenhaal in “The Day After Tomorrow”
It’s part of the basic disaster-movie formula that such a project sets several personal stories against the larger backdrop of the crisis at hand. Here, those characters primarily are a climate expert and his son, played by Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal. Dad eventually gets to say, or at least think, “I told you so” after trying to warn dismissive authorities of the approaching problem — and he eventually sets out to retrieve his offspring, who’s stranded in a suddenly glacial New York with fellow students (including the one he has a mad crush on, portrayed by Emmy Rossum) during a school trip.
Of course, such a mission won’t be without its hiccups, and Emmerich and his team effectively use their special-effects know-how to depict a world turned to ice with stunning visuals. Some are seen as long shots, with a frozen cloak of atmosphere moving across locales such as midtown Manhattan; others supply close-up flashes of horror, as when a crew member of a crashed helicopter opens the door of the vehicle and promptly gets a much colder complexion than he had mere seconds earlier.
41. David Hasselhoff’s show
44. “Watermark” chanteuse
45. Double-reed instrument
46. Motorist’s org.
47. Lamar who was briefly on “The Kardashians”
48. Take care of
49. Neighbor of a Vietnamese
50. “___ of Us”
Down
1. Thing worn while singing to Robin Thicke
2. Asia’s Trans ___ mountains
3. Legendary Don Cornelius show
4. Cupcake topper
5. “The ___ Road Home” (war drama miniseries)
6. “The Biggest ___”
7. Break away
8. Cousin of an ostrich
celebrity update
9. Peace, in Russia
10. Tee off
12. Half of an old comedy duo
17. Fifty-fifty
19. Those with clout
22. “La Reina del Sur” airer
23. “SNL” alum Sandberg
24. ___-relief
25. Riding the waves
27. Antioxidant food preservative
30. Chewed with canine teeth, perhaps
31. Peru’s capital
32. Hamm of “Mad Man”
33. Gluck’s “___ ed Euridice”
35. Kind of star
36. Mandarin greeting
38. Org. with eligibility rules
39. City on the Rhone
40. Unconvincing
41. Autonomous software program
42. Grandpa Simpson
43. Hither’s partner
BY JAY BOBBIN
Andy Griffith
OF MATLOCK ON METV
Q: I see that a new version of “Matlock” is coming, but I still enjoy watching the original series with Andy Griffith. When did that start, and how long did it run?
A: The show’s history began with a 1986 NBC movie titled “Diary of a Perfect Murder,” with folksy lawyer Ben Matlock and his daughter Charlene (then played by Lori Lethin) handling the defense for a television reporter suspected of killing his ex-wife. The film’s ratings were good enough for the network to order a weekly series, and “Matlock” premiered that fall, though Linda Purl assumed the role of Charlene for that version … but only for the first season.
Interestingly, a two-part “Matlock” episode from its first NBC year served as the basis for “Jake and the Fatman,” the William Conrad-Joe Penny show that aired on CBS. Though its ratings lessened from year to year, “Matlock” remained a staple of the NBC lineup for five more seasons. With Purl’s exit, explained by Charlene’s departure to start her own firm, Nancy Stafford (who had appeared in a first-year episode in a different rolle) was cast as the elder Matlock’s new law partner Michelle Thomas. Griffith’s former sitcom co-star Don Knotts became a notable recurring guest as Matlock’s neighbor.
When NBC elected to cancel “Matlock” in 1992, ABC stepped in and picked up the show, ultimately giving it three more seasons. Stafford left the cast and was replaced by Brynn Thayer, who — like Stafford — had appeared on the series earlier. Also joining for the ABC run was Daniel Roebuck as a novice attorney, and he stayed for the remainder of the show, though Thayer was succeeded in the final year by Carol Huston as another of Matlock’s associates.
What’s Available NOW On
“My Spy The Eternal City” (July 18)
Back by popular demand, “My Spy’s” dynamic duo, veteran CIA operative JJ (Dave Bautista) and his 14-year-old stepdaughter and protégé Sophie (Chloe Coleman), reunite to save the world when a high school choir tour of Italy is interrupted by a nefarious nuclear plot targeting the Vatican. Kristen Schaal, Flula Borg, Craig Robinson, Billy Barratt, Taeho K, Anna Faris and Ken Jeong round out the cast.
in focus
“Snowpiercer” - Season 4 (AMC/AMC+ — July 21, Season Premiere)
Moving to AMC and AMC+ from TNT for its fourth and final season, this series, set in a near future where the earth has become an uninhabitable, frozen tundra, follows the inhabitants of a luxury train populated with the world’s only remaining humans as it circles the globe. It explores the revolution that takes place when the classes clash on the train, as after several years onboard the never-ending rail journey, the lowest-class “Talies” revolt against their living conditions and the train’s strict class divisions.
“UNINTERRUPTED’s Top Class
Tennis” - Season 1 (July 18)
From Executive Producers LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Sloane Stephens (2017 US Open Champion) comes an all-access look into the demanding world of junior tennis and the elite teenage players striving to go pro. The series follows the hard work and sacrifice of four junior tennis players as they make their way to the Orange Bowl, a competition that could make or break their careers as tennis pros.
“Betty la Fea, the Story Continues” - Season 1 (July 19)
What comes after happily ever after? Picking up two years since her departure from Ecomoda, Betty (Ana Maria Orozco) is still married to Armando (Jorge Enrique Abello) but on the brink of divorce. When Roberto (Kepa Amuchastegui), Armando’s father and Ecomoda founder, has passes away, his dying wish is for Betty to return to the company.
“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw” (Available Now) Lawman Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.
Solution on page 12
Meet the Directors
Music on the Green — You’ve heard of Tavern on the Green, well, get ready for Music on the Green! Come down and enjoy the musical sounds of Stilgone, a psychedelic soul fusion band from Bozeman that has performed at Pine Creek, the Haufbrau, the Elm, you name it. This fun, family friendly event is a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening- listening to great live music on the Library’s front plaza, as the sun drops off to the west. Invite your family and friends, bring a blanket or chairs, and get ready to dance! This event is free and open to the public. On Sunday, July 14, the music will begin at 5 PM.
BOOKS FOR THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM
Good Material by Dolly Alderton. Fiction. Andy loves Jen. Jen loves Andy. So why did she suddenly end things? Is nothing certain? When Andy bombs a routine comedy show even that vocation that comes into question. If you want to take a laugh-filled journey set in England with young moderns, this is it.
Everest, Inc. The Renegades and Rogues who Built
Bailey Krause Funeral Director
Bailey grew up in Wisconsin and attended the University of Minnesota. She loves the outdoors and enjoys being around the scenery that is the mountains and Bozeman. She became interested in funeral service after she lost a classmate at 15.
The Gallatin Valley’s preferred funeral service provider for more than 100 years.
is a difference.”
This just in @ Bozeman Library
an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell. Nonfiction. Maybe you have climbed Everest. Perhaps you have read many books about it, wondering what goes on there? With interviews from many climbers, including local living legend Conrad Anker, clients, writers and filmmakers, witness the history of this complex conflict of climbing and commerce.
To Name the Bigger Lie: A Memoir in Two Stories by Sarah Viren. Biography. Story #1 is
about a charismatic high school teacher who taught the author to question everything, even the Holocaust. Story #2: an assault charge against the author’s spouse brings truth and fact into question again. This book will bring the reader into the modern conflict of how damaging lies are and how valuable truth is.
BOOKS FOR THE KIDDOS
A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup. Picture Book. A nighttime star from the sky invites a child to go to a ‘happy place’ which as it turns out, is right outside the door. They journey together through deep, shadowy hues along the river, over the hills, and into the enchanted woods. Or was it all just a beautiful dream?
You’re So Amazing by James & Lucy Catchpole; Illustrated by Karen George. Easy. Being singled out doesn’t always feel amazing. For example, Joe, who is missing a limb, hangs out on the playground with his friend Simone playing games and everyone tells him how amazing he is. Maybe it’s just a normal thing for him?
The Things We Miss by Leah Fletcher. Juvenile Fiction. As J.P. navigates middle school and all that comes with it, she happens upon a magic door that allows her to skip ahead in time and miss all the emotional upheaval that occurred. The question becomes is this a good thing, the easy thing, or maybe a bad thing?
BETH BOYSON Library columnist
What’s Available NOW On
“Homicide: Los Angeles” (July 16)
From “Law & Order” creator Dick Wolf, Wolf Entertainment and Alfred Street Industries comes this new docuseries that illuminates the stories of notorious murder cases as told by the people who know them best: the detectives and prosecutors who cracked them.
“Find Me Falling” (July 19)
Coming off a flop album and his biggest hit’s dwindling popularity, aging rock star John Allman (Harry Connick Jr.) decides to take a break from his career to reclaim his spark. He moves to an isolated cliffside home on the idyllic Mediterranean island of Cyprus, but his dream of keeping a low profile is derailed when he is routinely confronted by desperate souls and later faced with even more complicated surprises when an old flame reignites.
celebrity quotes
“I feel so, so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian Bachelorette in this franchise. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to see Asian representation on TV and I feel like it was really sparse. To be here today sitting in this position being like, I am going to lead my own love story, I am going to be the main character in my story — I just can’t help but think of how many people I’m inspiring and how many lives I am changing.” - Jenn Tran, star of Season 21 of “The Bachelorette”
“Too Hot To Handle” - Season 6 (July 19)
New season, new prize fund, new twists — and a naughty new sidekick for Lana, who’s stirring up trouble among the villa’s sexy singles.
“Sweet Home” - Season 3 (July 19)
In a world where monsterization ends and a new era of humanity begins, those standing at the blurred crossroads between monsters and humans face an even greater struggle to make a difficult choice in this Korean drama thriller series.
“I still am a fan of the OG ‘Descendants.’ ... I’m grateful to even be a part of the same name. To even nearly follow in their footsteps, to be just tiny bit of iconic as they were, is such a gift.” - Star of “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” Dara Reneé
“Film used to be the superior art form to television, and we humbly reached the pinnacle of what can be achieved with film in our remarkable opus, ‘Sausage Party.’ But now that film is completely dead and TV is the forever-king of entertainment, we’ve decided to continue the epic adventures of our culinary crew in the soon-to-be-legendary televised masterpiece ‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia.’ It’s got all the heart, double the puns. ... In other words, it’s exactly what the world needs right now.” - Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, executive producers of “Sausage Party: Foodtopia”
1. Blazed the trail 4. Command to Dobbin 8. Remain unused 11. Bass, for one 12. Embroidery stretcher
13. Seek the affection of
14. Illusion that misleads
17. Lunch meat
18. Not guzzle
19. Rendered, as a compliment
21. Egg holder
24. That thing
25. That guy
26. Fade ___ black
41. Stan who created Spider-Man
42. Docile
43. Diminutive
44. Wise bird
45. Kitchen pests
46. Average name
19. Compassion
20. Speck
22. Ruined
23. Kind of column
29. Bedouin’s mount
31. Throng
33. Austen novel
34. Thousand ___, Calif.
1. Police, with “the”
2. Crimson foe
3. Indian metropolis
4. “For ___ The Bell Tolls”
27. Fly ___ the wall
28. Pool site, maybe 30. Takes steps
32. Add years to one’s life
34. Bruin legend Bobby
35. The twelve months, initially
5. In great demand
6. “Wow!”
7. “Planet of the ___” (1968)
8. Steal
9. One of the Cyclades
10. Blouse, e.g. 15. “Poker Face” singer
16. Places to enjoy bouquets
35. “This Is Me... Now” singer, to fans
36. Small number
37. Ms. Aniston, to pals
38. Fast plane
39. Liberal leader?
40. Drops on blades
What’s Available NOW On
“Angels in the
Outfield”
(July 15)
Foster kid Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) loves the Anaheim Angels, even though they’re the worst team in the major leagues. His estranged dad promises to reunite the family if the Angels make it to the World Series, so Roger decides to ask for some divine help and prays that his favorite team will turn things around. Soon, a real angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd) shows up in response to Roger’s prayers, and Anaheim’s hopeless coach (Danny Glover) is shocked to see his team on a winning streak.
“America’s Funniest Home Videos” - Seasons 27-29 (July 17)
Catch up on all the laughs we three more complete seasons of this long-running, laugh-out-loud clips show. Each week, the audience votes on the funniest home video submitted, giving the lucky owner lifechanging cash prize.
“Pupstruction” - Season 1, New Episodes (July 17)
This imaginative, music-filled animated series that follows the adventures of the Pupstruction team – a doggone hard-working construction crew that ranges from some of the brawniest breeds to irresistibly cute and playful puppies. It centers on Phinny, an innovative young corgi, who might be the smallest pup on the crew but proves that you don’t need big paws to have big dreams or big ideas.
“EPCOT Becoming: Inside the Transformation” (July 19)
Dedicated to preserving the magic while embracing the future, Imagineers have been hard at work reimagining Epcot for new generations of visitors. From revitalizing classic attractions to introducing innovative experiences, the transformation of Epcot promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Viewers will get a glimpse into the creative process behind the park’s evolution, from concept to execution. Through interviews with Imagineers and never-before-seen footage, audiences will gain insight into the vision and dedication driving this monumental project.
“Dress My Tour” (Hulu — July 23, Series Premiere)
Hosted by supermodel and actress Kate Upton, this new reality competition series takes fans behind the curtain of the unpredictable fashion and music industries, following 11 aspiring fashion designers on their journey to create stunning fashion pieces, worthy of global superstars like JoJo Siwa, Paula Abdul, Toni Braxton, Ty Dolla $ign and more. As these designers compete to make their mark on entertainment industry, only one of them will come out on top and take home the $100,000 prize. Marina Toybina and Laurieann Gibson are mentors and judges.
trivia quiz
Summer camps and resorts
Questions:
1) What is the name of the Khaki Scout camp in the 2012 film “Moonrise Kingdom”?
2) In which movie does Bill Murray play a head counselor at a summer camp?
3) Where did the “Beverly Hills 90210” gang spend their summers in Seasons 2 and 3?
4) In which state is the fictional Camp Firewood (from the Wet Hot American Summer franchise) located?
5) Which Addams Family movie finds Wednesday and Pugsley attending summer camp?
on page 12
BY JAY BOBBIN
Auto racing gets into high gear in ‘Grand Prix’
Just as exciting almost 60 years later, director John Frankenheimer’s superbly photographed 1966 drama “Grand Prix” — which Turner Classic Movies shows Thursday, July 18, as part of its “Star of the Month” salute to co-star Eva Marie Saint — weaves a bounty of driver’s-seat footage (often utilizing the split-screen technique) throughout the personal stories of on-the-track rivals played by James Garner, Yves Montand and Brian Bedford, among others.
Saint plays a journalist who’s doing a story on the Formula One season and its participants, one of whom (Montand) she has a passionate romance with, though he’s married. Garner’s character leaves the sport for a while and turns to sportscasting but he eventually makes his way back to being behind the wheel. Even if such subplots seem like the stuff of soap opera, they’re worth the racing sequences they yield, widely considered to be the standard for this sort of tale. The picture won Oscars for best film editing, sound and sound effects.
Francoise Hardy in “Grand Prix”
2024 MLB All-Star Preview: Bryce Harper shining bright this season
Get ready, baseball fans. The Midsummer Classic returns as the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game gets set to light up the diamond Tuesday, July 16, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. All the action broadcasts live on Fox.
In what’s been another action-filled and entertaining season of baseball, this year’s All-Star Game continues to showcase MLB’s top-tier talent, with many fans eagerly keeping their eyes out for the Philadelphia Phillies’ bonafide superstar, Bryce Harper. Harper is leading the National League in all-star votes for first baseman, who, on the heels of a standout season, has also caught the attention of not only fans, but all of Major League Baseball.
The “Chosen One” has been a force to be reckoned with this season, including winning National League Player of the Month in May, boasting a .407 on-base percentage and a .583 slugging percentage, for a league-leading OPS (.990).
Since winning Player of the Month, Harper’s exceptional play has only continued to thrive, maintaining an impressive .282 batting average, .391 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .539.
Transitioning to the full-time role of first baseman for the first time, the Las Vegas native has played a major role in solidifying the Phillies’ strong performance this season both offensively and defensively, with the Phillies firmly holding a top-five spot in MLB while also leading the National League East Division. With the All-Star Game fast approaching, Harper’s performance this season has undoubtedly made him one of the favorites going into the game as fans hope his regular-season success carries over, showcasing why he remains one of baseball’s brightest stars.
Full name: Bryce Aron Max Harper
Birthdate: Oct. 16, 1992 (31)
Birthpalce: Las Vegas
Height/weight: 6-3/210 pounds
Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies (2019-present), Washington Nationals (2012-2018) Honors and achievements: 2x NL MVP (2015, 2021), 3x Sliver Slugger Award (2015, 2021, 2023), 7x All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015-2018, 2022), Home Run Derby Champion (2018)
The production also features a 16-piece live orchestra, national touring actor Jesse Swimm as Bert and professional dancers to round out the chorus. For tickets and more information, visit www.theellentheatre.com.
Don’t expect a completely faithful retelling of the classic film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Creator Cameron Mackintosh’s stage version of “Mary Poppins” is based on both the stories of P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney Film. It includes music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and a book by Julian Fellowes, with new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Don’t worry, film favorites like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” are still included.
“What I like about it most is it’s not an exact copy of the film,” Ludin said. “It takes elements of the P.L. Travers’ books and blends them into the movie story and there’s a lot of really, really wonderful new songs that match the style of the film.”
“Mary Poppins” had been on Montana TheatreWorks’ shortlist of possible productions for some time, Ludin said, but was truly only made possible by the recent
Library/from 7
FOR THE TEENS AND TWEENS
Breathing Underwater by Abbey Lee Nash. YA Fiction. Tess has her teen years planned out: swim competitively on scholarship. Things look good for her. Then, everything changes with an epileptic seizure. As Tess deals with the many changes that follow, the reader is swept along on this journey of emotional growth.
renovations on the stage rigging system. To bring the magic of the musical to life requires an extensive number of backdrops. Plus, what is Mary Poppins if she herself doesn’t fly?
Ludin had been in contact with companies that specialize aerial rigging and had been applying for rights to perform the production for years. Ludin very much had families on the brain in the planning process, choosing a piece that is a magical experience for the young, but also speaks to the child in all of us.
“I think opportunities for families to participate in something
Hotelitor: Luxury Class Defense and Hospitality Unit by Josh Hicks. YA Graphic Novel. This brilliantly illustrated story builds a world of a luxury corporate colony where Earthers live and work. When aliens attack the colony, one new worker must perform new duties as assigned: saving the world.
Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by
live are not as frequent as we would like,” Ludin said.
His own journey into screenwriting and producing began with a production of “Peter Pan” when he was 5 years old. Aside from the singing and acting, there was so much inspiration in the costumes, in the sets and in the dancers twirling to the sounds of the live orchestra.
“There’s so many elements,” Ludin said. “To me, that’s always a great thing, that you can get kids inspired. And here’s a show that would be appealing to kids, but also adults too.”
It is also a bit of a family affair
Daska Slater. YA Nonfiction. This is a complicated, cautionary tale for all teens who venture out into the social media world. A newbie poster thought he was just being clever. Meet the teens and adults who were deeply affected by his posts and re-posts.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
Kanopy: Kanopy is an award-winning free video streaming service providing
presence and as an expert in the production itself. In rehearsal, she steps into the problem-solving role, helping young actors with costumes and mics and calling for resets when timings are off.
“I’m happy to jump in and help there,” Bennett said. “This show is really incredibly special and it’s almost scored like a movie. If you get the timing right, even the scene changes are magical. It’s that good. But it just takes that much more effort to get it right.”
on stage. When Bennett was contacted for the role, she pitched daughter Lydia Mercedes DeJesus as one of the two girls in the role of Jane Banks, sending in a tape of the two performing in Utah. It’s a joy to share the stage as well as her love for theater with her daughter, Bennet said, gushing over DeJesus’ presence on stage.
“Theater is a team sport,” Bennett said. “I thrive within a team, and I love to watch us all. The sum of the parts is greater, you know?”
On stage, Bennett is commanding, both as a vocal
access to more than 30,000 independent and documentary films — titles such as The Criterion Collection, The Great Courses, and thousands of independent filmmakers. I happen to enjoy watching “Lonesome Dove” from time to time. With 20 hours of streaming allotted to each Library cardholder per month, I can just squeak it in. Kanopy works on Chromecast and Apple TV, Roku, iOS, and Android devices via the free Kanopy app,
Bennett has become one with the role that is both loving and aloof, like a proper British nanny. Notably, Bennett wears a corset on stage to keep her back straight, and doesn’t lean into the children in comfort, like one might expect. It’s a far cry from the other nanny role made famous by Julie Andrews — Maria Von Trapp from “The Sound of Music.” Bennet describes the nanny as demanding and snarky and vain, as we learn in the song “Practically Perfect,” a tune added to the stage version.
“She will never stoop to your level,” Bennett said. “She makes you rise to hers.”
Though her style is different, none of this is to say the nanny doesn’t care about her charges.
“Mary Poppins is delicious because underneath it all, she absolutely serves with love,” Bennett said.
which is available from your device’s app store. All films come with ADA-compliant captions and transcripts and are compatible with screen reader programs, such as JAWS. For more information about Kanopy, please call 406-582-2410 or visit bozemanlibrary.org.
Beth Boyson is a Programming Librarian and Cataloger at Bozeman Public Library. She can be reached through the Library website at www.bozemanlibrary.org.
PHOTO BY RACHEL HERGETT, FOR THE CHRONICLE
The cast of “Mary Poppins” rehearses at The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman on July 6.
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in focus
“The Decameron” - Season 1 (Netflix — July 25, Series Premiere)
The Black Death strikes hard in the Italian countryside in 1348, and a handful of nobles retreat to a grand villa with their servants. But what starts as a wine-soaked sex romp descends into a race for survival in this soapy dark comedy.
Paris 2024 Olympics (NBC/Peacock — July 26, Special Event)
Kicking off with the open ceremony on July 26, traveling through the Seine and the streets of Paris, sports fans can catch all of the coverage from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games live on NBC and Peacock through Sunday, Aug. 11.
MLB All-Star Game
Questions: Answers:
1) Teammates for life — which two brothers played together on the 1949 AL All-Star team?
2) Only once in All-Star Game history has a player hit an inside-the-park home run. Who is the only player (so far) to have done so?
3) Who currently holds the record for most career hits at the All-Star Game?
4) Name the MVP of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
5) Which pitcher holds the position record for most career appearances at the All-Star Game?
6) The MLB All-Star Game has been hosted once by every major league franchise — except one. Name the only MLB franchise yet to host All-Star Game festivities.
7) Back-to-back jacks! Who is the last player to have hit two home runs in a single All-Star Game?
8) Prior to its name change in 1970, what was the original name of the award given to the All-Star Game MVP?
9) Name the only player to have ever started an AllStar Game as both a pitcher and batter.
10) For what reason did MLB Commissioner Bud Selig declare the 2002 All-Star Game a tie after 11 innings?
1) Joe and Dom DiMaggio
2) Ichiro Suzuki (2007)
3) Willie Mays (23)
4) Elías Diaz
5) Roger Clemens (10)
6) Tampa Bay Rays
7) Gary Carter (1981)
8) The Arch Ward Memorial Award
9) Shohei Ohtani (2021)
10) Both teams ran out of pitchers