On the heels of a record-smashing production of “The Wizard of Oz,” last Spring, the Midview High School Drama Department takes to the rooftops of London with Tony Award-winning “Mary Poppins” as it’s Spring 2015 production. Set in Victorian England, the story revolves around the themes of believing anything can happen, including softening stale hearts and finding kindness to help the needy for just “Tuppence a Bag.” These themes find their exposition in the lives of the Banks family headed by Mr. George Banks, a man in the throes of family dysfunction elicited by his obsession with career advancement. The children are spoiled and unloved, until Mary Poppins arrives on scene. With a nod of her head and just a “spoonful of sugar,” she prevails in turning the Banks children from rotten to redeeming, Mrs. Banks from ignored to affirmed, and transforms Mr. Banks from stoic career hawk to the ideal family man. Once her job is done, like a guardian angel, she vanishes to work her next miracle for another family. Staring Andrea Decaire as “Mary Poppins,” Adam Hamrick as “Bert,” Emily Hetrick and Tyler DiFranco as “Jane and Michael Banks,” and Nathan Seres as “Mr. Banks,” and Maya Shed as "Mrs. Banks." The cast of Midview High School’s Drama Department is setting the stage for success. Last year, the Wizard of Oz was the most well-attended show in the school’s history with 1,400 patrons over one week-end. This year, with Midview being the first Lorain County High School chosen to perform “Mary Poppins,” the community is getting ready for another great show. The students playing Chimney Sweeps have even learned to tap dance for the show’s major dance number, “Step in Time.” Directed and choreographed by Andrew Lipian (Lorain Palace Theater), students are mentored by other career professionals such as Caitlin Hyland (Off-Broadway equity actress), set designer Susan Hughes (Lorain Palace Theater, True North), and Abacus Productions, a professional lighting company headed by Zach Cummins, recipient of a Lincoln Center award for lighting design. With a bevy of community leaders, students, parents, and professionals pouring their talents into the production, the community is given an unforgettable theater experience for families of all ages. The show runs Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 at 7pm in the Kabuski Gymnasium at Midview High School, and Sunday, April 26th, at 3pm.
· Tickets start at $6 and $7 in advance for students/seniors and adults respectively, and $7 and $8 at the door. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at the MHS box office in the Kabuski Gym, 38199 Capel Road, Grafton, OH, 44044 now until Friday from the hours of 4-10pm.
Door prizes, giveaways, and raffles in the lobby pre-show and during intermission