The Upper Room Theatre Ministry at All Saints Catholic Church in
Manassas is sweetening up summer with a spoonful of sugar with their production
of “Mary Poppins” July 16-21. It is the program’s 18th anniversary production.
More than 150 people auditioned for 36 roles.
The cast includes Kayleen Nagurny as Mary Poppins, Stephen Hyland
as Bert, Joshua Ewalt as George Banks, Jeanne Myers as Winifred Banks, Mary
Ellen Underwood as Jane Banks, and Daniel Jackson as Michael Banks.
“Mary Poppins” features a youth and adult cast, a 20-piece live
orchestra, professional lighting and sound, and rotating sets. It includes Mary
Poppins in flight during entrances or exits, along with Bert being high above
the rooftops during the chimney sweep song. Costuming was brought in from a
professional theater. Robotic lighting and more than 20 individual mics will be
used.
Proceeds from the summer musical help support parish youth
ministry activities and make it possible for area teens to attend WorkCamp and
retreats.
“Upper Room will bring to the forefront of its storytelling the
relationship of a father and his children,” said Director Rob Tessier. “The once distant father caught up by the
worries of the world discovers the value of his presence to his children as
this musical celebrates the family, the domestic Church.”
“The Wizard of Oz”
Follow the yellow brick road to Church of the Nativity in Burke July
17-21 when the Nativity Players bring the “Wizard of Oz” to stage. Dorothy is
played by Brianna St. Clair, while Toto is played by Ava Hurtado. The famous
trio that Dorothy meets in Oz are played by Kathryn Webb as Scarecrow, Jared
Dialo as Tin Man, and Greg LaNave as Lion. Glinda is played by Robin McGrath.
“‘The Wizard of Oz’ is a story that holds special meaning for two
directors at Nativity Players Theater Ministry,” said Kimberly Siepmann, director.
“Sara Prince, music director, made her theatrical debut as the Jitterbug in
elementary school.”
Siepmann said she remembers her mother often telling the story of
seeing the television debut in 1956, when many neighbors crowded into the
living room of the only family on the block that had a color televison.
“Kiss Me, Kate”
It’s all about Kate for the Summer Theatre Program in Alexandria
as they put on “Kiss Me, Kate” July 25-28. The Summer Theatre Program is
co-sponsored by St. Bernadette Church in Springfield and Bishop Ireton High
School in Alexandria.
If you go
“Wizard of Oz,” Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity
Lane, Burke, July 17-20 at 7:30 p.m., July 21 at 2 p.m., child and sensory
friendly performance and sing-along, July 20 at 2 p.m., Nativityburke.org/nativity-players/
“Mary Poppins,” All Saints Church Performing Arts Center,
9310 Stonewall Rd., Manassas, July 16-21, 7:30 p.m., and July 21-22 matinee
1:30 p.m., upperroomtheatreministry.org/tickets
“Kiss Me, Kate,” St. Bernadette School, 7602 Keene Mill
Rd., Springfield, July 25-27, 7 p.m., July 27-28, 3 p.m., summertheatreprogram.org/tickets
