PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April1, 2016
CONTACT: Joseph Whelan, Director of
Marketing and Communications
315-443-9839 or jmwhelan@syr.edu
Syracuse Stage and The Syracuse University Department of
Drama announce Mary Poppins as the 2016-2017 Holiday
Show, seeking local children for cast
November 26, 2016 – January 31, 2017
(Syracuse, NY) – A beloved family musical brightens the holiday season as Syracuse
Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama combine to present Mary
Poppins, November 26 through December 31, 2016.
Based on the books by P.L. Travers and one of the most popular Disney movies of all
time, Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and
received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best
Musical.
Join jack-of-all trades, Bert, in a visit to England in 1910 and the household of the
Banks family where 11-year-old Jane and 9-year-old Michael have been positively
beastly to a series of well-intentioned nannies. Enter (from above of course) Mary
Poppins with her magic tricks and common sense know-how to charm children and
grown-ups alike and remind them how important they are to each other.
Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs,
breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft, with lovable characters
and plenty of opportunity for special effects and magical illusions.
Veteran director Peter Amster returns to Syracuse Stage to helm this stunning
musical spectacular. He will be joined by choreographer Anthony Salatino and
musical director Brian Cimmet. Previously at Syracuse Stage, Amster directed The
Fantasticks, Alfred Hitchcock’s the 39 Steps, Moby Dick, A Christmas Carol, and the
current season’s closer Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery.
Mary Poppins continues the long string of popular holiday co-productions between
Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Department of Drama. Recent coproductions include Peter Pan, Hairspray, A Christmas Carol and Irving Berlin’s White
Christmas. Single tickets will be available first to Syracuse Stage subscribers and
Flexpack holders.
Audition information
Syracuse Stage and director Peter Amster will hold auditions on April 18 for the
following roles for Mary Poppins. For more information or to make an appointment
contact Chris Botek at 315-443-4008.
Jane: the high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but
can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Gender: female Age: 10 – 12.
Michael: the cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he
adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get
the attention of their parents. Gender: male Age: 9 to 11.
Audition scenes will be provided. Those auditioning should prepare 8-16 bars of an
upbeat song to be sung without accompaniment.
Details
Mary Poppins
A Musical based on the stories of M.L. Travers
and the Walt Disney film
Original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Book by Julian Fellowes
New Songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe
Co-created by Cameron MacIntosh
Directed by Peter Amster
Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet
Choreography by Anthony Salatino
ABOUT SYRACUSE STAGE
Syracuse Stage is Central New York’s premier professional theatre in residence at
Syracuse University. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 300 plays in
over 40 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres.
Each season 70,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays, and bold
interpretations of classics and musicals, featuring the finest theatre artists. In
addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves
more than 15,000 students from 14 counties. A solid core of subscribers and
supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New
York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations
and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre
Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre,
and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University
Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a
member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre
association in the country.
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Syracuse Stage I Producing Artistic Director: Timothy Bond I Interim Managing Director: Diana Coles
820 E. Genesee St. I Main: 315-443-4008 I Box Office: 315-443-3275 I www.SyracuseStage.org