SKIT Presents MARY POPPINS

After more than three decades of delighting audiences, award-winning ShowKids Invitational Theatre (SKIT) presents the magical family musical Mary Poppins with a cast that is nothing short of "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!" SKIT is working again with Flying By Foy to produce Mary's enchanted entrance. And audiences will "step in time" to show-stopping numbers choreographed by SKIT veteran Krisy Nasto and Maria Mantak, who was recently inducted into the Perry Award Hall of Fame by the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT).

SKIT presents six performances of Mary Poppins on Saturday, January 20 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Sunday, January 21 at 2:00pm; Saturday, January 27 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm; and, Sunday, January 28 at 2:00pm. All performances will take place at Voorhees High School, 256 County Road 513, Glen Gardner, NJ 08826. Tickets are $13 -20, and can be purchased directly at www.showkids.org or by calling the SKIT ticket line at (908) 638-5959.

Based on the series of children's books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, Mary Poppins made its Broadway debut in 2006 in a production presented by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman and Julian Fellowes.

George and Winifred Banks live at Number 17, Cherry Tree Lane with their two misbehaved children. The latest nanny has just quit with a fit, and Mary Poppins arrives; teaching with music and magic, she bonds with the children as no other nanny has. When Mary suddenly leaves the position, and Winifred hires George's childhood nanny to take on the job, sending George and the children fleeing from the house, Mary becomes more valuable than ever. With patience, kindness, and a little bit of magic, Mary and her friend Bert help the family set things right - maybe more right than they'd ever been before.

"Mary Poppins is such a heartwarming story with classic charm, magical moments and memorable music," says Carolyn B. Newman, SKIT producer/director. "Bringing out the best in children, of all ages, has always been a mission at SKIT, and we are delighted to bring Mary Poppins to life with such a delightful cast."

MARY POPPINS CASTING

Natalie Mehl, 17, of Lebanon Twp. is "practically perfect" as Mary Poppins. The Voorhees senior earned standing ovations "with snaps" as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde last summer in her Plays in the Park debut. SKIT credits include Hairspray (Amber), Disney's My Son Pinocchio (Blue Fairy), Me and My Girl (Lady Jacqueline), Seussical the Musical (Amazing Mayzie), Footloose (Rusty) and Shrek the Musical (Teen Fiona). Regional theater credits include The Little Mermaid (Flotsam) and A Christmas Carol (Alice the Cook, Christmas Past). Natalie also has numerous television, commercial and voice over credits and has appeared in New York Fashion Week walking for various designers.

The charming chimney sweep Bert is brought to life by the animated Jonah Lione, 16, of Clinton. A two-time "Best Youth Actor" Perry nominee, most recently for his performance as Corny Collins in Hairspray, Jonah is a junior at North Hunterdon where he performed as Pugsly Addams in The Addams Family Musical last March.

George and Winifred Banks are played by Tom Newman, of High Bridge and Haley Marra, 17, of Clinton Twp. Jane Banks is played by Emma Nasto, 11, of Mt. Laurel; and the role of Michael Banks is shared by Riley Conaty, 10, and Julia Morrissette, 11, both of Clinton Twp. Both made their SKIT debut in Pinocchio last season.

Mrs. Brill is played by Amy Schroeder, 17, of Bethlehem Twp., who also serves as dance captain for the production, with a special appearance as the Ballerina Doll.

The roles of Robertson Ay and John Northbrook are both shared by Ryan Apgar, 15, and Prajeet Sarker, 17, both of Clinton Twp. Miss Andrews is played by Brooke Wachenheim, 17, of Annandale. Miss Lark and Admiral Boom are played by SKIT veterans Joan Chavez, of High Bridge, and Earle Steeves, of Union Twp.

The role of Bird Woman is shared by Kaylyn Feeley, 16, of Clinton Twp. and Allisa Conover, 15, of East Amwell Twp, who also performs as Valentine. Katie Nanna is shared by Kaylyn Feeley and Sera Bunca, 16, of Asbury. Mrs. Corry is shared by Imani Smith, 15, of Phillipsburg and Josie Whitmore, 15, of Lebanon Twp. Neleus is played by Hannah Willsey, 15, of Clinton Twp. And Miss Smyth is shared by Charlotte Ruffine, 14, of Tewksbury Twp. and Sana Sarker, 15, of Clinton Twp. Playing multiple roles including Bank Chairman and Park Keeper is Jeff Mehl, of Lebanon Twp. Owen Butler, 13, of Asbury is also playing multiple roles, including Von Hussler and Policeman.

Rounding out the musically magical ensemble toys, dolls, queens and policeman are: Clara Bravstein, 13, of Chester; Sabrina Bunca, 13, of Asbury; Dale Dabour, of Stewartsville; Jack Gallagher, 13, of Stewartsville; Serenity Marce, 12, of Raritan; Maddie Nasto, 8, of Mt. Laurel; Andrew Pedri, 7, of Drums, PA; Lisa Postiglione, of Stewartsville; Sierra Saint-Rose, 15 of Lebanon Twp.; Abby Swan, 14, of Clinton Twp.; and, Aubrey Whitmore, 9, of Lebanon Twp.

SKIT founder, director and producer Carolyn B. Newman is a Hall of Fame member, inducted by the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) in 2015. ShowKids Invitational Theatre has received 14 Perry nominations for best musical and more than 150 total nominations over the last 30 years. SKIT won "Outstanding Production of a Musical", NJACT's highest honor, in 2014 for Shrek The Musical, and was nominated in 2016 for Me & My Girl, out of over 200 productions reviewed.

SKIT is a nonprofit, family community theatre group. Founded in 1986 to offer the children of Hunterdon County an opportunity to experience the joys of theatre and give the community professional quality children's theatre productions, SKIT has since blossomed into an organization that also provides families the opportunity to share quality time while providing an unending amount of wonderful memories. ShowKids Invitational Theatre programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

Tickets at www.showkids.org

Appearing as Bert and Mary are Jonah Lione of Clinton and Natalie Mehl of Lebanon

Photo Credit:DABOUR Photography

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