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S E R V I N G M I D VA L L E Y & U P PE R L AC K AWA N N A VA L L E Y THEVALLEYADVANTAGE.COM | MARCH 29, 2019
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Step in time
Mid Valley drama club will present ‘Mary Poppins’ BY CHRISTOPHER CORNELL ADVANTAGE EDITOR
many others that I have directed.” ‘Mary Poppins’ is full of quick and heavy Get ready to dance on the rooftops. scene changes, magical tricks, intense enMid Valley High School’s Underwood semble dance routines and a cast that varPlayers will present the high-spirited musi- ies from students in the first grade to high cal “Mary Poppins” on Friday and Saturday, school seniors. April 5 and 6, at 7 p.m. in the school’s audiMany of the songs in the show — includtorium. ing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” The show is directed and produced by “Jolly Holiday,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” Mid Valley’s artistic director Patricia “Feed the Birds,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” Powell and newcomer Cal Corcoran. “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and “Step in Time” — “Of course, ‘Mary Poppins’ is a classic are familiar. and all-time favorite,” Powell said, explain“The songs are wonderful, but the dancing why she chose this show. “Plus, ‘Mary ing brings another dimension to the songs,” Poppins Returns’ was coming into the Powell said. “I expect the audience not only movie theaters, so I thought the students will want to sing along, but I also suspect should be exposed to the classic Broadway that many of their toes will be tapping as version before they saw the new film. And, well. My kids can dance. Even our youngas always, the show fit the current talent at est cast members can keep up with some Mid Valley.” students who have studied dance for years.” Powell notes that, purely by chance, sevIn addition, she notes, the songs in this production are interpreted through jazz, eral of the cast members are pals. “Colby Hughes, who plays Mary Popballet, tap and ballroom. pins, and Damien Chmielewski, who “The audience is going to see a spectacuplays Bert, are best friends. And, coincilar blend of song and dance,” she added. dentally, the children who play Michael One of the problems high school theater (Justin Osman) and Jane (Avery Tinney) directors have to deal with is that nearly all are also best friends. Best friends work the students have so many extra-curricular really hard to make each other shine, and activities in addition to the play. “We schedule many rehearsals, and I that kind of chemistry is a guarantee for will admit that rehearsals are hit and miss for a wonderful show.” Powell has directed and produced 35 at times,” she acknowledged. “I am a firm musicals in her career, and she reports this believer that the students should be able one is “a complicated show compared to to participate in as much as they can. The cast take their responsibilities seriously. For example, Scott Bidwell, who plays the Chairman of the Board, is also going to school in the evening to attain his EMT certification. TS_CNG/ADVANTAGE/PAGES [A01] | 03/28/19
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One of Powell’s favorite parts of the show is the song “Feed the Birds,” which in this production will be sung by student Tori Meehan. “Then, there is also ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’ and ‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite.’ I expect the audi-
ence will really respond to those numbers with great enthusiasm. Tickets are now on sale for $10. The box office is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Tickets may also be obtained from one of the drama club members.
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Anthony A.DeCarli lll,D.M.D.