Heights Youngster Performs in National Broadway Tour

Young Zachary Mackiewicz is having the time of his life.

As part of the Broadway National Tour of “Mary Poppins,” the Hasbrouck Heights 10 year-old actor, dancer and singer is living out his dream of playing Michael Banks, a role he has had his eye on since his parents first introduced him to the theater.

Lisa Mackiewicz, says her son is absolutely loving the experience. Zachary started acting at age 7 with commercials and has since gone on to do off-Broadway theater, “Sesame Street” and has even filmed a scene for an upcoming Sasha Baron Cohen movie “The Dictator.”

In just a few years he has already accomplished a lot but this is the first national tour he has ever done, his mother says.

She and her husband Vincent introduced Zachary to theater at a very early age and shortly therein told his parents acting was what he wanted to do. They enrolled their son in workshops with Class Act New York, a great program for kids, Lisa Mackiewicz says. Zachary performed in an industry showcase and the next day they received a few phone calls and they decided to go with Shirley Grant Management, she said.

Mackiewicz said her son has always been a dancer and an actor and now he’s singing too. He recently studied with vocal coach Amelia DeMayo who works with a lot of actors who perform on Broadway.

Through this Broadway National Tour, where Zachary is traveling with his father, he will perform in major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, his mother says.

Zachary first auditioned for the role of Michael Banks in Mary Poppins last summer while he was performing in an off-Broadway show “Lemon Sky.” The day of Zachary’s 10^th birthday last Oct. 16 was an extra special day as he made it to his call back for “Mary Poppins” and got the part, his mom says.

There is no doubt, Zachary wanted to play Michael Banks. His mother said at Back to School night at , where her son attends school, she found Zachary had written the name Michael Banks on the back of his nametag.

Zachary is still able to complete his schooling while on the road as a tutor is touring along with the group. His mother says she sends his school work assignments to him which he completes with the tutor and is doing quite well. She said three actors alternate the role  so when one is performing the other two are in class with the tutor. They are in school all day and acting at night. It’s a lot of hours for a little kid but he loves it, his mother says.

As most actors have a favorite star they admire, for Zachary, it’s Hugh Jackman. Mackiewicz said her son will most definitely continue to pursue acting as a career. She said he loves what he is doing and loves the people. “It’s so cute. After the performance is over he goes out back and signs autographs. He is having a blast,” said Lisa.

Mackiewicz says she keeps her son’s Facebook page up to do with tour dates and other announcements and more information on Zachary can be found on his website.