AUDITION INFO
DIGITAL AUDITIONS
Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Book by Julian Fellowes
New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by Anthony Drewe, George Stiles
Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh
A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Cameron Mackintosh and Disney's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.mtishows.com
CASTING CONSIDERATIONS:
All roles are open.
We are looking for performers of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, gender identities, body types, and abilities. Production is non-Equity.
PRODUCTION STAFF:
Kevin Edward Gane, Director (kevinegane@gmail.com)
Jake Nguyen, Vocal Director
Kristin Foltz Petrou, Choreographer
Megan Arnold, Stage Manager
Rosemary Bucher, Producer
PRODUCTION DATES:
May 29-June 8, 2025
ADULTS/TEENS (7th-12th grade)
Recording 1: 16-32 bars of a musical selection from a Golden Age Broadway musical or Disney
Recording 2: 1 minute monologue
CHILDREN (2nd Grade-6th Grade)
Recording 1: Selection from Let's Go Fly A Kite (MUSIC & TRACK: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GpilQ1F97WGPhG7rGn-BbKlOzL_FPIdQ?usp=share_link)
Recording 2 : Short Reading (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uB6SI4-o3oAkUK5c1aNCZRRRhhmNTp33/view?usp=sharing)
DANCING
Mary Poppins features a multifaceted ensemble of dancers and singers. There is no formal dance call for this audition, but individuals may be contacted to provided a dancing sample at the discretion of the production team.
REHEARSAL PROCESS:
Read Through: March 24th
Rehearsal Period: March 24th - May 24 (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)
Tech Week - May 24th - 28th
IMPORTANT DATES:
-Audition submissions are due by 11:59 PM on March 12, 2025
-Callbacks will be requested at the discretion of the production team
-Performances will take place May 29th through June 8th
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
A tentative rehearsal schedule is available here.
CHARACTER LIST
Bert - The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.
George Banks - The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul.
Winifred Banks - George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more.
Jane - The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
Michael - The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
Miss Lark - The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.
Admiral Boom - A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark.
Mrs. Brill - The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular.
Robertson Ay - The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless.
Mary Poppins - Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well.
Bird Woman - Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist.
Mrs. Corry - Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age
Miss Andrew - George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way.
Adult Ensemble - Park Keeper, Queen Victoria, Parkgoers, Chimney Sweeps, London Citizens, Bankers
Teen Ensemble - Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Dolls, Chimney Sweeps, London Citizens
Children's Ensemble - Parkgoers, London Citizens, Penguins, Toys
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT:
The Hershey Area Playhouse is actively committed to anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices in the theatre and specifically in casting. We affirm our commitment to equity, inclusivity, and diversity, and strive to foster an artistic environment that is dedicated to social equality.