An actor’s first introduction to the
audience as the character they are portraying is important; it sets the tone
for the rest of the show. The O’Connell Players at Bishop O’Connell High School
in Arlington recently previewed the first scene of their upcoming spring
musical for Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, and rushed to make their first
appearances on Cherry Tree Lane as “practically perfect” as Mary Poppins (Emma
Powers).
“Mary Poppins” is coming to the
O’Connell stage April 26-29. Bert, played by Ethan O’Donovan, enters onstage
covered in chimney dust and introduces the Banks family: George Banks (Anthony
Socarras), Winifred Banks (Elise Welsh), Jane Banks (Lara Sunter) and Michael
Banks (Maddie Hunt). The cast lined up backstage against the prop table wall
during the performance awaiting their entrances. They played a game of “prop
telephone,” passing Katie Nanna’s (Emma Bourne) suitcase to Bourne so she
can stomp offstage.
Throughout each production at
O’Connell, the cast and crew grow together quickly, and this production is no
exception — whether it is Natalie Archer and the prop crew, the tech crew in
the basement, or Mrs. Brill (Caitlin Mea) and Robertson Ay (Jeffrey Hales)
whose characters bicker constantly. Hunt described the drama program as a big
family. “I love everyone,” she said.
“The O’Connell Players shaped my high
school experience,” said Hales. “I’ve met so many close friends who I never
would’ve met otherwise.”
“It’s so fun to bring happiness to
others,” said Bank Chairman (Andrew Oliveras). “I’ll miss this O’Connell family
when I graduate.”
“Yet again I have been cast as the
old, cranky one, but I enjoy being the comic relief. I am Brilled — I mean
thrilled — with the progress of the show and our improved Cockney accents,” Mea
added.
O’Connell’s theater director, Sara
Zimmerman, brought in Beth Whitehead to help the actors with their accents,
which range from British to French to German. Through very British phrases such
as “Oh, Lummy” and wider vowels than the actors are used to, the cast is
growing toward the “precision and order” that the family patriarch, George
Banks, tries to achieve throughout the show.
Neleus (Katelyn McKintosh), who is
making her acting debut, remarked that the theater program is fun. “Everyone is
so nice and welcoming,” she said.
“Mary Poppins has been a blast for me,”
said Maya Shourie, the head of makeup. “I have really enjoyed designing the
makeup face maps for all the characters and can't wait to see the actors bring
them to life on stage.”
“Mary Poppins is my favorite movie and
these students are putting their all into the show,” said Zimmerman. “It’s wonderful
to see all aspects of the show come together, but I’m especially happy to see
the actors and crew members support each other every day.”
If you go
Bishop O’Connell High School, 6600 Little Falls Rd., Arlington.
April 26-28: 7 p.m., April 29: 2 p.m.
Buy tickets at bishopoconnell.org/OCPlayers or 703/237-1448.