“Oh, it’s you. Hello! Come on with me.… to Stage 284… 284 Bay Road in Hamilton. Seems like something’s a brewin’… about to begin. Why it’s… MARY POPPINS… flying onto Stage 284 to delight audiences with a magical, memorable adventure October 17-25!”
Stage 284 is proud to be one of the first Eastern Massachusetts community theaters to premiere a reimagining of Julian Fellowes’ book to the musical, Mary Poppins directed by Myriam Cyr and Jay Pension. Stage 284 captures the essence of P.L. Travers’ Poppins books, bringing to life the familiar worlds of Cherry Tree Lane, Chimney Stacks, Jolly Holiday Park, and more. The stage will come alive with penguins, pigeons, statues and flying kites!
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“Mary Poppins speaks to the child within us and reminds us that magic is not about bunnies out of a hat, but finding the wonder in our hearts.” Myriam Cyr, Director
And as if by magic, Le Grand David (David Bull) descended from the clouds and appeared as Magic Consultant for Stage 284’s Mary Poppins. David Bull possesses over 35 years of magic-making experience. His Spectacular Magic Company was hailed as “America’s national magic company” by historian Robert Lund.
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Myriam Cyr, of Beverly Farms, was one of the inspirational forces behind the rebranding of Stage 284 (previously Community House Theater). Cyr’s theater and film career spans over 30 years. She graduated with honors from the Montreal Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and holds a masters from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Cyr starred opposite Al Pacino in the title role of his theatrical production of Salome, played Ultra Violet in I Shot Andy Warhol and the lead role Julitte in the French Canadian film, Le Secret de Jerome, where she won numerous awards including the Baillard d”or at the Namur Film Festival.
“Stage 284 provides an opportunity for youth to work with many experienced adults. The children involved in Stage 284 benefit from both instruction from a highly trained directing team such as Myriam Cyr and Jay Pension and the modeling of adult actors in the production. Our goal is to see the kids’ confidence and skills vastly improve during the rehearsal process and see the fruits of their effort bloom through performance.” Melissa Elmer, Executive Director of The Community House
Jay Pension, Stage 284’s Artistic Director, holds a BFA in Theater from Salem State College and is a director and program coordinator at Boston Children’s Theater. He has previously directed CHT’s Little Women (co-directed with Cyr), Arsenic and Old Lace and he had played the role of Rolf in The Sound of Music. He was the creator and co-director of Left & Right, the NE tour and NYC run, which won Best Show at the New England Fringe Festival, as well as being the top seller at the Seacoast fringe Festival.
Jocelyn Duford, of Southern New Hampshire, will be playing the lead role of Mary Poppins. She holds a BA in Theater from Dartmouth College. For the past three years, Duford has been a featured vocalist in the concert series Something Wonderful I Missed with Not Your Mom’s Musical Theater and is also a soloist in their touring concert programs. She is currently touring her one-woman show, Jocelyn’s ABC: Alphabet Broadway Cabaret with NYMMT throughout NH.
John Manning Jr. plays the lovable Bert. He earned a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut and has studied at the Theater Academy in London. Manning Jr. has performed in the Connecticut Repertory Theater’s regional premiere of Punk Rock (Chadwick), Cloud 9 (Clive/Cathy) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince). He has worked with Eddie Mekka of Laverne and Shirley fame playing Perchik in Greater Lowell Music Theater’s Fiddler on the Roof and Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Mary Poppins’ musical direction is led by Janet Glasser and the show’s choreographer is Patricia Bochnak. The show features original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with new songs, additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.
Mary Poppins performances at Stage 284 at The Community House 284 Bay Road Hamilton, MA
Saturdays, October 17 and 24 – 3pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, October 18 – 3pm SOLD OUT
Sunday, October 18 – 7:30pm
Sunday, October 25 – 3pm & 7:30pm
Thursday, October 22 – 7:30pm
Advance tickets are $15, $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased through www.communityhouse.org or by calling 978-468-4818 x10
