From 3rd grade plays to full-fledged high school productions, the theater has always played an important role in the student experience. Now, the AFHS theater kids have taken to the stage with the musical Mary Poppins. The well-known Mary Poppins musical originated from a book series of the same name by P. L. Travers. The musical’s original 1964 production featured stars of the time like Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke. It entertained viewers with a story about, “a magical nanny [who] employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father,” according to IMDb.
While it seems as though the hard work that goes towards staging a play only culminates into one or two nights of glory, that doesn’t discount all the preceding effort by the stage crew and actors. Eduardo Garcia Sanabria—who plays a teddy bear as part of a small group of ensemble characters—states that he, “has always enjoyed participating in musicals” and has “made valuable connections through them.” He continues, saying that he deeply values the theater, and being a part of the Mary Poppins team. In terms of the play itself, Garcia Sanabria feels, “very confident in the way the play is coming along.” He says, “the cast, crew, and directors have worked their hardest to create the grandest show possible.”
Mrs. Brooks, the director of choreography, facilitates the development of each dance. At her side, she has, “talented student dance captain[s] who help teach, choreograph, and create.” In addition to that, Mrs. Brooks has a student teacher, Ms. Potter, who she credits with choreographing the song “Step in Time” for the performance. Mrs. Brooks finds that the beauty of the musical comes from, “seeing all the art forms come together to create something magnificent.” She feels similarly confident in the play’s progress, saying, “the students are so talented.”
The music director Ms. Gustely has strived to, “teach all the notes and rhythms [and] words” to the students. Currently, she and her team have finished learning the music and, “are polishing things up with how they look on stage.” Ms. Gustely praises the students for their efforts, expressing her pride in them for learning their parts so quickly. Ms. Gustely concludes with a pleasant sentiment: “Each small part takes so much time and when we finally watch all of it come together, it’s incredible!”
The actors on stage certainly have a powerful influence on any performance, but so do the people that work behind the scenes. Mr. Whitley contributes to the Mary Poppins musical as the “technical director and set designer.” His job, “is to work with the other directors as well as a group of student designers to make the set, lights, sound, costumes, & props all work together,” while also managing live streaming and projections. Mr. Whitley describes Mary Poppins as, “an absolutely massive and magical production.” He conveys his admiration of the play, saying, “the journey of healing…is something I find extremely moving,” and he aims to take viewers on that same journey with the school production.
Mr. Whitley hopes it will be, “one of, if not, the biggest and most complex show in AFHS history." Mrs. Brooks calls it an, “amazing musical.” Mrs. Gustely appreciates that, “each small part takes so much time.” Eduardo Garcia Sanabria has, “made valuable connections” through it. The classic Mary Poppins persists as a timeless tale, but this high school production will be a two-night spectacle, showing on March 31 and April 1. With all the spirit and vigor put towards this show, it will surely be a memorable occasion and a true demonstration of the school’s dramatic talent.
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