Spotlight on “Mary Poppins”: Dedicated Directors

Penn High School student Kennedy Parker offers an insider’s look at the spring musical, “Mary Poppins.”

Penn’s spring musical this year is “Mary Poppins”! The performances are Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m., all in the Penn Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance or $12 at the door. Pre-sale tickets are available Tuesday-Friday March 1-4 during all lunches. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketracker.com.

Students and directors are hard at work preparing for the performances. Over the weeks leading up to the show, I will be writing about different aspects of the show to give you a sneak-preview.

 

Enjoy, spotlight on “Mary Poppins”!

DEDICATED DIRECTORS

No musical would be possible without the leadership of dedicated directors. Mrs. Black is the head director of the show, Mr. Nemeth is the vocal director, and Mrs. Wolfe is the director of dance. I had the opportunity to talk with Mrs. Black and Mr. Nemeth about the upcoming. Mrs. Wolfe will be featured in a later Spotlight on “Mary Poppins” feature.

Mrs. Black is an English teacher at Penn. This is the third musical she’s been involved with at Penn, her second time as director. “Musicals are actually what first got me excited to be a teacher!” Black said. She loved theatre in high school and learned a lot from her director. After high school, she continued in both singing and theatre, and eventually switched her major from Broadcast Journalism to Communication Arts Education, with the hope that she could both direct and teach one day. “How wonderful now that I’m both!” she told me.

Mary Poppins was selected to be this year’s musical for several reasons. The rights were recently released, “so we knew there would be a lot of excitement surrounding it. We also loved the response we got last year from all the tap dancing involved with 42nd Street,” Black said. “While there’s not as much tap, what there is in the second act will amaze you!” She’s looking forward to seeing the look on kids’ faces in the audience when they see the actors fly, as well as the other technical and magical elements of this show that make it unique and appealing to all ages. “We’re working hard to make both of these possible, but it’s going to pay off in the end!”

Mr. Nemeth is the head director of the Penn choirs. This is the fourth musical that he has been involved with at Penn. He began directing vocals to help grow and enhance the music theatre program. “Mary Poppins was selected because we have the students and the ability to pull the show off,” he said. The show has a great story line and special magic. Mr. Nemeth is most looking forward to seeing the choreography, acting, and singing all come together in the next couple of weeks. This show is unique musically because it features more music than a typical show. Many songs featuring the ensemble will provide plenty of singing, dancing, and high energy!