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| Ava Lamkin as Mary Poppins |
Windham
Middle School’s production of “Mary Poppins Jr.” not only showed us the hard
medicine of deeper underlying themes, it treated us to a large spoonful of
talent. The troupe brought an adaptation of the Disney classic straight to the
stage. The audience was blown away, not from the winds in the East, but from
the extraordinary talent illuminating the stage on their opening night. The
winter storm that canceled school, bringing inches and inches of snow, couldn’t
stop the show from going on.
The
director, Suzy Cropper, took the time to interview amid all the hustle and
bustle happening backstage before the show. Cropper, who’d been a musical
director for Windham Middle School for many years, was ecstatic to be able to
direct the first production of Mary Poppins Jr. that Windham Middle School had
ever seen.
“I
have loved it. It’s been fun working with the kids,” Cropper said with a smile.
“And it’s been fun to see their creativity come out as we work through scenes
and come up with ways that are able to tell our story.”
According
to Cropper, several weeks ago, they took time during rehearsal to learn more
about the Edwardian Era in 1910 - the period in which the musical is set. They
learned about class distinctions, the contrast between rich and poor that is
sometimes overlooked and overshadowed by gleam and glamor. It’s plain to see
that the character development from it has paid off.
“I’m
so proud of this cast and this wonderful show that they’ve put together,” said
Lucy Hatch, assistant director. “I love seeing stuff come to life. It’s very
different from being onstage.” Hatch’s history with the director stretches way
back to third grade when she’d attended Mainstage Academy, a musical theater
school run by Cropper. Hatch still has music lessons with her.
The
energy backstage was invigorating as cast members shared their thoughts moments
before opening. A strong unspoken unity projected into the audience as if from
one big family.
Ava
Lamkin, graced with the leading role of Mary Poppins, expressed the same
sentiment. “My castmates are really sweet. When somebody’s sad, they’re really
uplifting. We all just got along really well. It didn’t matter who we were
because, once again, Mary Poppins taught us how to be kind.”
Sixth
grader Anna Lane, who played a park stroller and a honeybee, shared,
“Everyone’s really nice and supportive with each other, trying to help people
out with their lines, their makeup, and their hair.” Her first show with
Windham Middle School, she’d also done shows with Windham Center Stage, Gorham
Arts Alliance, and Schoolhouse. She’d been inspired into acting very young with
Mainstage.
Among
some of the first timers who’d never been on stage before, Karly Day and
Braedyn Bean expressed their experiences. “I’ve had a lot of fun with my
friends and I love dancing and singing. It’s just been really cool seeing it
all come together,” said Day. All these years, she’d been watching plays,
thinking she’d love to be in one and decided to finally try out.
Braedyn Bean, trying out with some
encouragement from his mother, has had a great time. “I might do a lot more
plays in the future, but I think it’s good to start and progress.” With the
role of a policeman, he had only one line, but he was proud that he had
received a speaking part.
Among
the many great scenes, we were captivated by the choreography in
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and impressed with the actors using ASL.
Also, be sure to purchase a light-up wand at the concession stand at
intermission and join the actors during a special moment of the play! Each
purchased wand is used to support Maine Inside Out, a nonprofit organization
collaborating to hold theater programs inside Maine’s juvenile correctional
facility and youth developmental centers. Truly inspiring!
Another
highlight of the night was seeing Mary Poppins fly! Bert, played by Molly
Platti, even did front and back flips in mid-air. Flying by Foy is the company
responsible for sending characters flying across the stage. Bryce Cropper, the
person in charge of ropes, stated, “We double check everything to make sure
everything is safe.” This definitely made the show that much more special.
The
night ended with much well-earned praise from the audience. “I’m blown away, I
really am,” said an audience member on the way out the door. “I would say it
was above expectations,” said another. Kim McBride, assistant principal at the
middle school, thought “it was fabulous from start to finish.” Proud father
Chuck Lomonte shared, “I thought the show was absolutely exhilarating.”
A
number of WMS and WHS individuals should be recognized for their time and
effort in putting this show together: C.J. Payne (sound and lighting designer),
Jason Lanoie (set designer), Tricia Murray (costume designer), April Monte
(choreographer), Diane Hancock (music director), Karen Lane (producer), family
volunteers working behind the scenes, and many others. Also, understudies
worked hard to learn their parts and stood by in case they were needed.
The
show, as a whole, was completely enjoyable - “practically perfect in every
way!” There really is only one word to describe it:
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
