Complete Cast List for 'Mary Poppins' Released [UPDATED]

Waterbury, CT - Bob Tansley will direct the upcoming production of MARY POPPINS by Blessed Sacrament Children’s Theater. Rehearsals have begun for the group that includes over 80 young performers representing over 30 local schools.

The beloved director has released the complete cast list to me for both the Bert Cast and the Mary Cast who will cover the six performances that will run Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28, 2019.

In the Bert Cast, eighth grade student Clara Pizzolorusso will play Mary Poppins with Iggy Bono, a fifth grade student, as Bert. Michael Meier, who I can’t believe will soon graduate from eighth grade, will play Mr. Banks with this cast, while seventh grade student Kitan Arole will take on the role of Mrs. Banks. Jane and Michael Banks will be played by Logan Altenburger and Eddie Bono respectively. Grace Sevelowitz will be the evil Miss Andrew and Maggie Bono will sing “Feed the Birds” as the Bird Woman. James Rinaldi will cover the fun role of Robertson Ay, while Mallory Swindon will be Mrs. Cory. Sydney Jason will play Mrs. Brill, Maria Bueno will play Valentine, and Olivia Welcome will play Annie

Also in the Bert Cast will be Elena Welcome as Fannie, Felicity Van Stone as Katie Nanna, Brooklyn Leary as Teddy Bear, Nathan Marcil as Mr. Punch, Erin Arole as Miss Judy, Caitlyn Allard as a doll, preschool student Brennan Kunkel as Mr. Monkey, Grace Louise Denihan (THE MUSIC MAN) as Buzzy Bee, preschool student William Welcome as Mortimer Mouse, the rising star Mia Graziano as the beloved Raggedy Ann, Madalee Sevelowitz as Tinker Bell and Raggedy Andy, Aaliyah Allen as Peter Pan/Peter Rabbit, Kylie Pringle as Indian/Cowboy and Cadence Govan as Dorothy Wizard. All of these performers are third grade students or younger.

The Mary Cast is led by the supremely talented seventh grade student Maura Kahuda (THE KING AND I) as Mary Poppins with Michael Meier (recently seen as TOM SAWYER at Seven Angels) stepping into the leading role of Bert for the Mary Cast performances. I am confident that Mr. Meier will nail both of his demanding roles. Kalman Zold will play Mr. Banks with this cast, while the always amazing Claire Roberts (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) will take on the role of Mrs. Banks. Lilyana Bodner will appear as Jane while Maddie Roberts will play the role of Michael Banks. Maria Tapanes will take on the role of Miss Andrew and Nick Bates will play Robertson Ay. Kaitlyn Swindon will be Mrs. Cory, Regina Watkins will play Mrs. Brill, Sofia Alonso will be Valentine, and Lucy Watkins will play Annie.

Also in the Mary Cast will be Nicolina Moronit as Fannie, Abigail O’Connor as Katie Nanna, Hanalei Cocchiola as Teddy Bear, Kai Seville as Mr. Punch, Katie Veilleux as Miss Judy, Juamann Abigal as Doll, Thomas Roberts as Mr. Monkey, Luna Brown as Buzzy Bee, the adorable Logan Tansley as Mortimer Mouse, Aliza Cocchiola as Raggedy Ann, Kamden Seville as Tinker Bell/Raggedy Andy, Kacen Seville as Peter Pan/Peter Rabbit, CJ Zold as Indian/Cowboy and Lilyana Reed as Dorothy Wizard. All of these performers are also third grade students or younger.

The lucky members of the ensemble will appear in all six shows. They include Teni Arole, Addison Batoon, Kelly Bonilla, Addison Brayton (Miss Lark,) Tyler Bushka, Johnny Carrara (Admiral Boom,) Makayla Casey, Ana Coyanda-Parkzes (Queen Victoria,) Thomas Dennan, Jacinda Dobbin, Mia Gagnebin (Bank Chairman,) Wesley Gagnon (Policeman,) Angela Gallucci, Jenna Garraffo, Grace Goldberg, Amanda Hodak, Julianna Hodak, Joseph Jaumann, Morgan Johnson, Akaya Karlsen, Taylor Kunkel (Park Keeper,) Sarah Medeiros (the statue Neleus,) Celia Misuraca, Taylor O’Connell, Kiley Pienczykowski, Jaclynn Pierce, Grace Pinkerton (Northbrook,) Anyiahlis Rodriguez, Sydney Rybczyk (Miss Smythe,) Lucie Sevelowitz, Kaleb Seville, Kiera Szumigala (Von Hussler) and Evan Tanguay.

The principal members of both casts will also appear in all performances. They will perform their principal role in their assigned cast and will be in the ensemble with the opposite cast. This is always how Mr. Tansley handles his shows with double casts.

The Mary Casts dates are Friday, July 26 at 7pm, Saturday, July 27 at 2pm and Sunday, July 28 at 6pm. The Bert Cast is scheduled for Thursday, July 25 at 7pm, Saturday, July 27 at 7pm and Sunday, July 28 at 1pm. Break a leg to one and all.

Mr. Tansley is looking for six to eight parents to perform with their children in the musical dance number “Step In Time.” The fearless director writes “Who among you have the guts to go for the glory?”

UPDATE: Director Bob Tansley reports that the cast stands at 86 young performers, but that he can fit in 10 more. Therefore, he has announced that there will be free preview rehearsals for KIDS AND PARENTS. If someone wants to join the cast, they can come to Catholic Academy on Monday or Tuesday of next week from 6 to 9pm. They will be rehearsing, so parents and their interested children (pre-k to grade 8) can watch and see if they want to join.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417