NW Children's Theater Adds One More MARY POPPINS Show, 1/4

It's a Jolly Holiday with Mary! The beloved classic film turned musical hit lands on the NW Children's Theater stage with a heartwarming score, spoonfuls of imagination, and a flying nanny!

Due to unprecedented popular demand, we are adding one final performance of Mary Poppins! Purchase tickets to our very last Mary Poppins show on Sunday, January 4 at 4 pm! Hurry, these tickets won't last long!

The colorful world of Mary Poppins comes to life at NWCT, complete with rousing tap numbers, flying actors, and the beloved songs from the classic film. Portland families are invited to travel across the Atlantic to Cherry Tree Lane where the Banks family is about to be introduced to a magical nanny who is "practically perfect in every way."

NWCT's Associate Artistic Director John Ellingson will buckle on his tap shoes as everyone's favorite chimney sweep, Bert, while the title role will be performed by Chrissy Kelly-Pettit, who recently took home a Portland Area Musical Theatre Award for her portrayal of Mary in Stumptown Stages' It's a Wonderful Life (2013). A lifelong fan of the original film, she promises to make this Mary her own. "I try not to be influenced by what others have done in the past," says Kelly-Pettit. "That being said, you may still see a little bit of Julie Andrews... she's one of my idols, and, well I might not be able to help myself."

Mary Poppins is the crown jewel in the most ambitious season in NWCT's 22-year history. The 2014-15 Season of Plays also features three world premieres, including an original, Indian dance-infused adaptation ofThe Jungle Book and an aerial-dance inspired The Little Mermaid created in collaboration with A-WOL Dance Collective.

All three productions will benefit from significant upgrades made to the NWCT stage thanks to over $120,000 in grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Oregon Cultural Trust. Audiences will enjoy enhanced production values and theatrical effects made possible by new light and sound equipment. These improvements complete the stage upgrades begun in 2012 with Peter Pan.

Mary Poppins is produced in part through the support of the Collins Foundation, Regional Arts and Culture Council and Work for Art, Kafoury & McDougal, K12, Oregon Virtual Academy, Schwabe, Williamson, & Wyatt, the Oregon Arts Commission, and NWCT Donor Circle Members. More than 5,000 school children will visit Cherry Tree Lane for twelve student matinee performances. Saturday audiences can enjoy delicious treats from the recently re-opened Saint Cupcake!

Adapted from the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film this musical Mary Poppins features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles, and Anthony Drewe, with a book by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame. The original West End production was co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.

For tickets and information, call 503-222-4480, and online sales available at www.nwcts.org. Performances run at NW Neighborhood Cultural Center, 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland. Participants pick up their event programs and start tour here.

Photo Credit: David Kinder

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