Great American Melodrama Presents SCARY POPPINS 9/24-11/15

It's Super-Nanny-Gone-Ballistic-Expialidocious! The Great American Melodrama presents the hilarious musical spoof, "Scary Poppins," opening September 24 and running through November 15.

"Scary Poppins" tells the story of young Jack and Jill Peabody (Chuck McLane and Katie Worley), who live in Edwardian London with their widowed father Henry (George Walker), and their servants, Jeeves and Prudence (John Keating and Megan C.C. Walker). Professor Peabody is a nutty inventor with little time for his children, so when he threatens to hire a nanny to care for them, Jack and Jill take matters into their own hands and write to everybody's favorite Super Nanny. But they get more than they bargained for - instead of Mary Poppins, they end up with her bizarre twin sister, Scary Poppins! This Poppins is a frightening creature who arrives with creepy theme music, mind control powers, and whose idea of a fun outing is a trip down into the sewer to meet her good pal, Dirt (also played by John Keating.) Soon enough, however, Scary Poppins wins over the children, and when the evil Russian ambassador Baron Dmitri Nogoodnik (Billy Breed) shows up desperate to get his hands on one of the Professor's inventions, it's up to her to save the day. Written by Ben Millet, with direction by Eric Hoit, choreography by Michael Jenkinson and musical direction by JorDan Richardson, this show is full of outrageous characters, hilarious song satires and pop culture references. It's a "practically perfect" parody for the whole family!

Following "Scary Poppins" at each performance is the "United Swing Organization Vaudeville Revue." Set in a USO dance hall during World War II, this song, dance and comedy revue features the same cast singing great jazzy harmonies and dancing up a storm to some of the most popular tunes from the height of the swing era. Featuring songs made famous by the likes of Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole and the Andrews Sisters, "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," "Straighten Up and Fly Right," and "Moonlight Serenade" are just a few of the songs that will set your toes a-tapping. Suzy King directs this high-energy revue, with musical direction and arrangements by JorDan Richardson and choreography by Michael Jenkinson and John Keating.

"Scary Poppins" and the "United Swing Organization Vaudeville Revue" play through November 15. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 4:30 and 8:30pm, and Sundays at 6pm. (On Thursday October 15 a 2pm matinee will replace the 7pm performance.) The Melodrama's in-house snack bar features great food and drinks served before the show and during intermissions. For more information or to make reservations call the Melodrama Box Office at 805-489-2499. The Great American Melodrama is located on Highway 1 in Oceano, just three miles south of Pismo Beach. Now in its 34th year, the Melodrama has been providing professional family entertainment on the Central Coast since 1975.

For more information visit www.americanmelodrama.com.

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