We are super…excited to present Mary Poppins this year. The musical Mary Poppins is based on the popular children’s books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It opened in London September 2004, running for over 3 years. Then ran on Broadway for 2,619 performances, October 14, 2006 - March 3, 2013 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
You will notice that this story isn’t exactly like the film you remember. It combines elements from the film and more from the original book. This story highlights how dysfunctional the relationship between George and Winifred was, giving a glimpse of George’s childhood. Another difference is the presentation of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. The Chatterboxes in Mrs. Corry’s Talking Shop spell this incredible word with movement that was inspired by British sign language and co-choreographer Stephen Mear’s friend, who is deaf. Choreographer Matthew Bourne describes it as “a tongue-twister in movement.”
I want to thank Erica Niemi for once again joining me to direct the choreography and welcome Karli Pins for adding her amazing choreography and direction to the show. Another great addition this year was Mr. Kent Lawrence as the Set Construction Supervisor. His guidance and design-eye were just as valuable as his 3-D printer. And of course his lovely wife Torri, who happens to be our Auditorium Supervisor, put in many hours alongside him, helping with set construction. What’s even more special is that both of them are DHS Varsity Choir Alumni.
Thank you Mr. Piger for constatnly supporting the choir program and the work we do in the rehearsal room, on stage, in the community, and across the state. You are always excited to hear of our events and the kids feel appreciated by you. Keep on being your awesome self!
TRIVIA
If a wonderful person named Jane or Michael were to approach you in the street and say, 'I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith', what would the correct response be?
The Banks' lived on Cherry Tree Lane. What was their house number?
What helps the medicine go down?
Never confuser efficiency with what kind of complaint?
What does Michael want to do with his dad?
FUN FACT
The song “A Spoonful of Sugar,” originally written for the 1964 Disney movie, was inspired by the polio vaccine. One of Robert Sherman's kids received their polio shots the day he was writing the song to woo Julie Andrews. They told him it didn’t hurt as the medicine was placed on a sugar cube and tasted like candy.
