‘Mary Poppins Jr.’ flies into Ringgold Middle School

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Ringgold students are planning to put on a “practically perfect” performance during the opening night of “Mary Poppins Jr.” this Friday.
Under the direction of music teacher Melanie Sandrock, nearly 60 students will take the stage 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Ringgold Middle School auditorium for the show.
Sandrock said each year eighth-grade students put on a production as part of their second-semester project.
Depending on the show, sometimes students from younger grades also get involved.
Based on the popular Disney movie and the Broadway musical that received multiple Olivier and Tony award nominations, “Mary Poppins” was released in a junior version last spring and Sandrock and her team said it was the right pick.
“We were so excited when we found out it was available and after talking it over thought it would be the perfect fit for our students,” she said. “And, the students have been even more excited than we were when they found out this was the show we were doing. They couldn’t wait.”
Mary Poppins takes the children on magical and memorable adventures, but even adults learn a lesson or two along the way.
For Sandrock, her favorite of many magical moments, has been seeing the progress of her students.
“I think for me the best part is seeing the students able to perform and do it so well,” she said. “When they finally are out there singing and dancing and have it all down, I can’t help but smile.”
In its 21st year, Sandrock said each middle school spring musical production is a great starting point for young performers.
“It is a great stepping stone,” Sandrock said. “They get involved now, and then start really shining during high school productions. I have seven students who have went through our music program and productions now working professionally in some type of theater, so we are doing something right here.”
Sandrock is assisted by choreographer Barbara Rudar; light and sound director, Emily Urso; scenic artist, Kathleen Petrosky; set design and construction, George Lyons and Rick Wall; costumes by Diane Lucci; playbill by Cindy Demarest; student directors are Eden Aubenque, Jaime Gilman and Alexa Schwab; technology booth, Zane Miller-Dunmeyer, Carly Lutz, Tyler Mathews, Liam Stewart and Zachary Winberg; stage manager, Zachary Koontz; and stage crew, Alyssa Connolly, Alexis Davis, Norah Myers, Claire Powell, Trista Reiff, Vaughn Simoni and Peyton Warren.
The cast, in order of appearance are: Bert by Alex Niziol; George Banks by Jacob Maklin; Winifred Banks by Lily McArdle and Karley Kray; Jane Banks by Eden Aubenque; Michael Banks by Sarah Burke; Katie Nanna by Erica Wyandt; Mrs. Brill by Mia Graham; Robertson Ay by Elizabeth Talaga; Mary Poppins by Mary Urso.
Park Strollers are Alexis Bresselsmith, Alissa Carter, Emma Cuss, Jaime Gilman, Breanna Hanbury, Katrina Karl, Angel Kendall, Bailey Phillips, Oubnee Roberts, Elizabeth Talaga, Lili Taylor, Karlee Thompson and Erica Wyandt; Neleus by Elizabeth Murdock; statues are Hannah Bebout and Morgan Walsh; Bird Woman by Lili Taylor;
Honeybees are Hannah Bebout, Alexis Bresselsmith, Alissa Carter, Angel Kendall, Dyamond Roberts and Eliza O’Hern; clerks are Angel Kendall, Samara Bonar, Angelina Lengwin, LeElla Moss, Bailey Phillips, Alexis Bresselsmith and Alexa Schwab; Miss Smythe by LeElla Moss; Chairman of the Bank by Louden Stanko; Von Hussler by Nick McConnell; John Northbrook by Katrina Karl; Mrs. Corry by Jaime Gilman; Customers, Hannah Bebout, Samara Bonar, Alexis Bresselsmith, Alissa Carter, Emma Cuss, Kayla D’Andrea, Jaime Gilman, Mia Graham, Breanna Hanbury, Katrina Karl, Angel Kendall, Angelina Lengwin, Nick McConnell, Le Ella Moss, Bailey Phillips, Dyamond Roberts, Oubnee Roberts, Alexa Schwab, Megan Silva, Elizabeth Talaga, Lili Taylor, Karlee Thompson, Morgan Walsh and Erica Wyandt; Miss Andrew by Alexa Schwab; Kite Flyers, Alexis Bresselsmith, Alissa Carter, Emma Cuss, Kayla D’Andrea, Breanna Hanbury, Nick McConnell, Dyamond Roberts, Oubnee Roberts, Louden Stanko and Eliza O’Hern; Policeman by Dyamond Roberts; Sweeps, LeElla Moss, Katrina Karl, Kayla D’Andrea, Jaime Gilman, Samara Bonar, Emma Cuss, Angel Kendall, Angelina Lengwin, Karlee Thompson, Morgan Walsh and Erica Wyandt; messenger by Hannah Bebout; tap dancers, Ava Barbao, Bridget Callihan, Haley Clark, Abby Dooley, Jayden Fox, Kayla Franks, Ryann Lape, Kaybella Latore and Izabella Soderholm.
Tickets are available in the Ringgold Middle School office for $6.