York Town News
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious show
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Mary Poppins is coming to town this Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, with an Inside-Out/York Parks and Recreation Department production by kids, but for everyone. Above, cast members Tyler Robichaud and Libby Webster (back) and Daniel Dellapasqua and Shannon Todd (front) dress up in costume to audition for the roles of Bert, Mary, Michael and Jane.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders
Among the many exercises the cast of Mary Poppins tried while getting ready for this weekend's big performance was the "laughing game" where nine-year-old Tyler Robichaud started the fun, and the rest of the cast caught the "giggles" one by one. The production is set for this weekend at Coastal Ridge Elementary School.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK VILLAGE - From Bert the chimney sweep to the singing penguins to Mary Poppins herself, all your favorite characters from the classic movie musical will come to life on the stage at Coastal Ridge Elementary School this weekend.
That is, they will be brought to life by local children between the ages of eight and 18, learning their parts, creating their sets and memorizing their music all in one week.
This Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, Inside-Out Productions will perform "Mary Poppins" at Coastal Ridge as the culminating event in a weeklong performing arts camp offered through the York Parks and Recreation Department.
The Friday evening show is at 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m.
And while the community will have the chance to see this production at the camp's end, it all began bright and early Monday morning. By 9 a.m., 37 children from York and its surrounding communities had arrived at Coastal Ridge to meet their director, Ronda Verges - known as Miss Ronda to the cast - and the staff of professionals working to create a full musical production billed as "by kids" but for kids of all ages in just five days.
They spent the day playing theatre games, singing songs, auditioning for parts, painting set pieces and trying on costumes. "Mary Poppins" cast members of all ages said they loved the first day - both those who had taken part in Inside-Out Productions before and those who are new to the group during its first York production.
"I think it's fun," said Sarah Tewksbury, a York Middle School student who said that, among other roles, she would like to play the part of Mary herself.
York Middle School student Meghan Boria-Meyer, meanwhile, said she'd like to play the part of the irrepressible Bert - even if that means tucking her hair up under a hat.
"I do a lot of acting camps, but I haven't done a musical before," said this young actress, who recently performed as Juliet at the York Middle School Shakespeare Festival.
Bryanna Welch of Wells said she has taken part in Inside-Out camps in the past, and it was worth the trip south to York to be a part of this production.
"I've done camps with Miss Ronda sine I was about eight and I've always had fun doing it," she said.
For Verges, the focus is not on the "leads" in the production, but on every child having a role where he or she has a moment to shine. As she told the cast members of this summer's musical production, "Without every one of you, this production would not be the same."
In addition to Verges, the production is being led by accompanist, dance and music instructor Susan Frank of York Middle School, assistant director Amanda Sabins, artistic director Renee Coffey and alternative education teacher Anita Lambert creating what organizers have described four recreation camps in one.
Prior to the start of the camp, Verges explained that her goal as a performing arts director is to provide an opportunity where young performers can explore dance, art, music and theatre in a safe, affirming environment. Verges recently directed a special anti-bullying play featuring the Coastal Ridge Elementary School Civil Rights Team with the same theme.
Verges holds a degree in education and, in addition to eight years teaching in the performing arts, she has written and produced more than 10 of her own plays. Sabins is a college graduate who has worked with Berwick's Hackmatack Playhouse. Frank has studied dance, music and voice and has performed both as a vocalist and actor. She is also known locally as a music teacher at York Middle School. Coffey has extensive experience as a costume designer, artistic designer and make-up artist. Lambert, a college graduate with a degree in education, is able to teach in any area based upon the needs of the camp.
And what did Verges think after her first day of working with her "Mary Poppins" cast?
"There is so much talent," she said as the campers gathered to depart after six hours of arts and entertainment, adding that each participant would have something special to do - regardless of which part they received in the show.
Want to see the show? Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Recreation Department's office at the Grant House for $7 each. Call the York Parks and Recreation Department at 363-1040 for more ticket and show information.
