The Company Theatre to Hold Open Auditions for Mary Poppins

The award-winning Company Theatre Center for the Performing Arts announces open auditions for their upcoming production of Mary Poppins on Sunday, September 13 at 1 pm at The Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive, Norwell. Mary Poppins original music and lyrics is 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 Mackintosh. All roles are open for casting. The production will be directed by Zoe Bradford and Jordie Saucerman, choreographed by Sally Forrest, with music direction by Michael Joseph. Further information and a rehearsal schedule will be available at auditions.

Everyone’s favorite, practically perfect nanny Mary Poppins was popularized by the classic Disney® film, captures hearts from Broadway and beyond! This show boasts 7 Tony awards, including Best Musical. Set in England in 1910, the rambunctious Banks family has sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Combining magic and common sense, the inspirational Poppins teaches the entire family how to value each other again. An enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and special effects makes this a “supercalifragilistic” must see!

Audition candidates should be strong singers, and arrive prepared to sing a song from the show in the show key, or a song in a similar musical theater style. The score will be available, and an audition accompanist will be provided. Actors auditioning for non-singing roles need not prepare a song for audition. Audition candidates may bring their own sheet music, and should also bring a headshot or snapshot. A resume is helpful, but not required.

Rehearsal throughout the production season are held Sundays from 1 to 6 pm, Mondays and Thursdays from 7 to 10 pm. Child actors need not stay late on school night rehearsals until close to performances. Two school day performances will be held on December 2.

Performances of Mary Poppins will be held from November 27 through December 20, with show times at 7:30 or 8:00 pm from Thursday through Saturday. Sunday matinee performances are held at 3:00 pm. Tickets are available for $37.00 to $39.00. For a complete performance schedule or to order tickets, please visit www.companytheatre.com.

Character Descriptions and Voice Ranges:

Bert - The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man. Male, age 30 - 40, range: B2 - F#4

George Banks - The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding “precision and order” in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn’t have much to do with his children. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary. Male, age 40 - 45, range: Bb2 - Eb4

Winifred Banks - George’s wife and Jane and Michael’s mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband’s desire to only associate with “the best people” as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she’s not up to the job of “being Mrs. Banks,” yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone. Female, age 30 - 45, range: A3 - D5

Jane - The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness. Female, aappears age 9 - 12, under 4’ 8”, range: A3 - F#5

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. Male, appears age 7 - 10, under 4’ 6”, range: A3 - E5

Katie Nanna - Jane and Michael’s nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children. Female, age 30 - 40, speaking role

Policeman - A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat. Male, age 30 - 50, speaking role

Miss Lark - The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child. Female, age 30 - 40, speaking role

Admiral Boom - A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Often doubles as the Banks Chairman, as a baritone. Male, age 50 - 60, speaking role

Mrs. Brill - The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she’s always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn’t have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. Female, age 50 - 60, range: F#3 - D#5

Robertson Ay - The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn’t do a lot of singing, but his “Spoonful” solo can be a fun surprise. Male, age 20 - 30 yrs, range: F3 - G#4

Mary Poppins - Jane and Michael Banks’s new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well, precision and diction is key. Female, age 20 - 30, range: Gb3 - C6

Park Keeper - Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood. Male, age 40 - 60, speaking role

Neleus - The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. Strong dancers for ensemble. Male, age 16 - 20

Queen Victoria - A statue in the park. Female, age 40 - 60

Bank Chairman - The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary. Male, age 50 - 60, range: C3 - D4

Miss Smythe - The Bank Chairman’s humorless secretary. Female, age 40 - 50, speaking role

Von Hussler - A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent. Male, age 30 - 50, speaking role

John Northbrook - An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England. Male, age 30 - 50

Bird Woman - Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn’t exist. Sings “Feed the Birds.” There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life. Female, age 50 - 60, range: Gb3 - C5

Mrs. Corry - Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic). Female, age 40 – 50, speaking role

Miss Andrew - George’s overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range. Female, age 40 - 60, range: Gb3 - F5

Ensemble - Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers.

For more information about auditions, please call the box office at 781-871-2787 or email Sally at Sally@companytheatre.com. For more information about The Company Theatre, please visit www.companytheatre.com, or follow The Company Theatre Centre for the Arts on Facebook.