callboard - racine theatreguild stage when mary poppins re-turns. the smash broadway musical ran...

CALLBOARDracine theatre guild December 2016

December Production Calendar - Mary Poppins

A Note From RTG DirectorDoug Instenes

The “practically perfect nanny” is flying back to the Racine Theatre Guild stage when Mary Poppins re-turns. The smash Broadway musical ran from 2006 to 2013, adapted from the 1964 Disney movie. The RTG pro-duction opens December 9 and runs two weekends through December 18. We even added a special New Year’s Eve show and party, perfect for fami-lies. Mary Poppins was a character created by author P.L. Travers in a series of books published in 1934. The Disney Company turned the books into a movie in 1964, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The original music and lyrics were by Richard M. and Robert B. Sher-man, including “The Perfect Nanny,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” and “Feed the Birds.” The Broadway version added new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, with book by Julian Fellowes, of “Downton Abbey” fame. The story is set in London in 1910. The Banks family, living on Cherry Tree Lane, is having a crisis. One nanny after another has been fired, because of the naughtiness of children Jane and Michael. Father, George is focused entirely on his ca-reer at the bank, and his frustrated wife, Winifred, struggles with trying to please her husband and raise their children. Flying in from on high with her umbrella comes Mary Poppins, the prim and proper nanny, who makes everything fun and magical.

Second Time Around We love presenting a family musical right before Christmas, and the RTG has presented many hits, from Oliver! to Beauty and the Beast, to Scrooge. This year, we bring back Mary Poppins. We found bringing back the holiday show for a second year to be highly suc-cessful on many different levels. First, since many performanc-es were sold out, people have a better opportunity to get good seating. Also, a third of the cast is returning, and they love recreating their roles or trying different ones. The addition of new cast members brings creative ideas and a fresh take on the show. It’s great fun the second year, because some of the presure is off. It’s less strain on the technical staff since we have the set and costumes. In addition, I tell the cast, “We can always go back and do what we did last year, which was well done. However, why not try something different to see if that may work better!” Even if you saw our production last sea-son, you will enjoy seeing it again with a new spin. As you think of gifts for fami-ly, friends and co-workers, consid-er the Racine Theatre Guild. Give a gift of tickets to this or any other show. Give Flex Pass tickets – a great way to get discounted tickets that can be used for any show this season. Buy a gift certificate in any amount that can be redeemed for shows, or for Children’s Theatre, Comedy shows or Jean’s Jazz. The RTG also has acting and dancing classes for children and adults. Act Up at the theatre and see where your imagination takes you!

FRIDAY, Dec. 9 7:00 pmSATURDAY, Dec.10 2:00 & 7:30 pmSUNDAY, Dec.11 2:00 pmFRIDAY, Dec. 16 7:00 pmSATURDAY, Dec.17 2:00 & 7:00 pmSUNDAY, Dec.18 2:00 pmSATURDAY, Dec. 31 8:00 pm & Party

S

1118

M

12

T

13

W

14

TH

15

F 916

S 1017 31

Mary Poppins opens December 9

Continued on page 4

Mary PoppinsOriginal Music & Lyrics byRichard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman

Book byJulian Fellowes

New Songs & Additional Music & Lyrics by

George Stiles & Anthony DreweCo-Created by

Cameron MackintoshSponsored bySC Johnson

CASTMary Poppins ......... Jamie Johnson Bert ............................ Robert KroesGeorge Banks ............ Brian J. SchalkWinifred ........ Samantha SustachekMichael ......................... Xander NilesJane ........................... Bella NiedererMrs Brill .............. Jennifer A. LarsenRobertson Ay ...... Ben KawczynskiBird Lady/Ens. .......... Betty PetersenAdmiral/Bank Chair .... Jay RattleMiss Andrew.. Marcee Doherty-ElstMrs Corry .............. Vanetta PowellPark Keeper/Ens. ...... Mike KishlineNeleus/Ens. ............ Clayton IrwinValentine/Ens. .......... Ian AndersonKatie Nana/Ens. ..... Erin BarnlundMrs Lark/Ens. .. Lauren Lamoreaux Ensemble ... Brandon Kawczynski,

Marcus Sorenson, Rachel Coakes, Rebecca Kishline, Grace Boyle,

Abigail Lamoreaux, Juliana Garcia-Malacala, Chazmire Carothers

New Year’s EvePerformance & Party

Repeat Performances in Mary Poppins When we produce a show a sec-ond time, it is a special joy when an actor or actress can reprise a role. No one at the Racine Theatre Guild is pre-cast, and all have to audition for each show. We will look at three ac-tors and how they are approaching their roles a second time.

Jamie Johnson as Mary Poppins

Jamie was thrilled to play the role of Mary Poppins last year, and says her joy is even deeper this time. “I fell so comfortably into the role in re-hearsal this time,” she says. “The first time around I was concentrating on the choreography and blocking and lines and getting into the flying har-ness. This year all of that is second nature, so I can do more in acting and interpreting the role. I am finding more depth in who Mary is and what she is doing and why. It’s great that Rob Kroes is playing Bert again, and we can work together on the friend-ship and chemistry that Mary and Bert have together.” Jamie appreciates all that makes the play fresh the second time around. Some actors from last year are cast in different roles, and there are new people in the cast. Jamie is happy that Doug as director is keeping what worked from last year and adding fresh touches for this production. “This year I am thinking more about Mary’s purpose,” Jamie ex-plains. “I know Mary is magical, but I am still playing her grounded as a human being. She blows in with the wind specifically to help the Banks family, and that is what she does. She begins by helping the children discover joy, but she also is working on Mr. and Mrs. Banks, to help them get their priorities straight. It is fun to work with Brian Schalk again as Mr. Banks. He takes the biggest journey of change in the show.” Jamie admits to real excitement in getting to play Mary for a second time and working with Rob. “Rob sets the bar very high,” she says. “He has so much talent giving Bert a sense of being happy-go-lucky.” Above all, Jamie is happy to share a message that she supports. “Mary tells us that anything can happen. I

love that theme, that we should all believe in each other, hoping to al-ways achieve something better. I want to share that optimistic message through Mary’s character.” Jamie thanks her family and friends for the support that allows her to take so much time during the past several months to put in to rehearsals and performances of Mary Poppins. “I couldn’t do this without so many people helping me,” she says.

Rob Kroes as Bert

Being cast as Bert a second time and bringing the character to life again is a complete pleasure for Rob Kroes. “Becoming Bert was like meet-ing an old friend,” he says. “I came from playing two nerdy roles – Sey-mour in Little Shop of Horrors and Max in Lend Me a Tenor. So I was afraid I’d have some of that in Bert, but I’m happy to say Bert’s confident and optimistic attitude came naturally to me again. I imagine that Bert and Mary are old friends, and he has seen her help other families. I like to think some of Mary’s magic has rubbed off on Bert. He loves the time he and Mary spend together.” Like Jamie, Rob feels that this time around he can concentrate more on characterization and developing Bert as a believable person. “I feel I am getting deeper into the text to interpret Bert this year,” Rob explains. “He is a charming and char-ismatic man, and an amazing person. He absolutely believes that every-thing will be fine, things will work out. I wish I could be more like Bert!” Like Jamie, Rob is grateful that the two of them fell into character quickly and easily again, so they can work on the story instead of on the technical details. “Jamie and I became good friends during last year’s run of the show, and I was so happy she was cast as Mary again. She is practically perfect for the part, and her talent is amazing.” “Above all, I love doing our Out-reach productions for children. If I can make one child take inspiration from the show and go on to take up singing and dancing and acting, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Brian Schalk as Mr. Banks

For Brian, playing Mr. Banks a second time in a new production is both hard and easy. “It’s hard to un-learn some of the blocking and dance steps from last year and learn the new,” he says. “But it’s easy in having the lines come back and doing the role again. This is the first time I have re-prised a role, and I’m looking at some of my lines differently this year.” Like Jamie and Rob, Brian is look-ing deeper at Mr. Banks as a real hu-man being, and what makes him so focused on his job and the beginning. “We learn that Mr. Banks had distant parents and a severe nanny, so that is the image he wants to portray. He is a perfectionist and has high expecta-tions for his wife and children. This is one of the hardest roles I’ve had, be-cause halfway through I have to make an emotional change in my character. I am trying to explore Mr. Banks in a deeper way in this production.” Having a different actress play his wife is a new experience. “I really like Samantha Sustachek, who is playing Mrs. Banks this year, and I have to concentrate on the new things she brings to the role.” Brian points to a key song when Bert explains that Mr. Banks shouldn’t let his children’s youthful joy slip away without him enjoying it. He is aware that the message of the musical hinges on Mr. Banks and the changes he makes. “It is a fun and challenging role, and I’m honored to be inter-preting Mr. Banks for a second time around.”

2519 Northwestern Ave. RACINE, WI 53404

For more information:RACINETHEATRE.ORGBox Office Hours: Weekdays 12:00 - 6:00 pm90 minutes prior to curtain through intermission at performance.

LEND ME A TENOR

262.633.4218

SEPT 16 - OCT 2

Sponsored by

Performed by E. MotionsJAMES AND THE GIANTpeachPerformed by Fat Cat Productions

OCT 7-9

let your hair down, rapunzelPerformed by E. Motions

NOV 11 - 13THE BIG BAD

MUSICALPerformed by E. Motions

FEB 3-5

goodNight

LULUPerformed by Sunset Playhouse Bug in a Rug Productions

MAR 17-19

2016-2017 Season

Sponsored by

262.633.4218 racinetheatre.org$18 for Season Tickets | $20 for 4 Flex Passes | $6 Individual Tickets

Enjoy all 4 shows for $18!

FALL 2016THEATRE CLASSES AT

Classes for Adults* and Kids ages 3-14FOR MORE INFO OR TO SIGN UP,

visit racinetheatre.org or call 262-633-4218

FairyTale

Players creative

kidsBroadwayBound

ADULTTAP*

To the Barre*

Audition Workshop*

2016 / 2017 SEASON

LEND ME A TENORSEPT 16 - OCT 2

KITCHEN WITCHESOCT 21 - NOV 6

MARYPOPPINS

EXIT LAUGHINGJAN 13 - 29

THAT

DARN

PLOTFEB 24 - MAR 12

JOSEPHAND THE AMAZING DREAMCOAT

TECHNICOLOR

THE ILLIAD THE ODYSSEYGREEK MYTHOLOGY IN 99 MINUTES OR LESS

AND ALL OF

MAR 31 - APR 9

MAY 12 - 28

DEC 9 -18

Limited-Run (Not part of the subscription package)

Musicals in red

262.633.4218

ENJOY 5

SHOWS FOR

AS LITTLE AS

$50



LEND ME A TENOR

262.633.4218

SEPT 16 - OCT 2

Sponsored by


OCT 7-9




FEB 3-5

goodNight


MAR 17-19

2016-2017 Season

Sponsored by






FairyTale

Players creative

kidsBroadwayBound

ADULTTAP*

To the Barre*

Audition Workshop*

2016 / 2017 SEASON



MARYPOPPINS


THATDARN

PLOTFEB 24 - MAR 12


TECHNICOLOR


AND ALL OF

MAR 31 - APR 9

MAY 12 - 28

DEC 9 -18


Musicals in red

262.633.4218

ENJOY 5

SHOWS FOR

AS LITTLE AS

$50



LEND ME A TENOR

262.633.4218

SEPT 16 - OCT 2

Sponsored by


OCT 7-9




FEB 3-5

goodNight


MAR 17-19

2016-2017 Season

Sponsored by






FairyTale

Players creative

kidsBroadwayBound

ADULTTAP*

To the Barre*

Audition Workshop*

2016 / 2017 SEASON



MARYPOPPINS


THAT

DARN

PLOTFEB 24 - MAR 12


TECHNICOLOR


AND ALL OFMAR 31 - APR 9

MAY 12 - 28

DEC 9 -18


Musicals in red

262.633.4218

ENJOY 5

SHOWS FOR

AS LITTLE AS

$50

Holiday Gift Ideas The gift of theatre is a wonderful present, for friends, family, co-workers or yourself. You can buy an RTG Flex Pass to see any of the remaining shows for Season 79 at the Theatre Guild With a Flex Pass, the recipients decide what shows in the RTG season they would like to see. Flex Passes are sold for five, six, seven, or eight admissions to RTG plays, discounted over the regular show prices. They can be redeemed all at once for one show, or spread out over the remaining shows of the season. RTG Gift Certificates are the one-size-fits-all gifts for anyone who is hard to please. They can be purchased in any amount and may be redeemed for RTG shows, Racine Children’s Theatre shows, Comedy Shows, Jean’s Jazz concerts, theatre trips or classes. Who wouldn’t be thrilled with that? Come to the RTG box office from 12-6 p.m. weekdays to buy Flex Passes or Gift Certificates, or call 633-4218 for further information or to order over the phone with a credit card.



LEND ME A TENOR

262.633.4218

SEPT 16 - OCT 2

Sponsored by


OCT 7-9




FEB 3-5

goodNight


MAR 17-19

2016-2017 Season

Sponsored by






FairyTale

Players creative

kidsBroadwayBound

ADULTTAP*

To the Barre*

Audition Workshop*

2016 / 2017 SEASON



MARYPOPPINS


THAT

DARN

PLOTFEB 24 - MAR 12


TECHNICOLOR


AND ALL OF

MAR 31 - APR 9

MAY 12 - 28

DEC 9 -18


Musicals in red

262.633.4218

ENJOY 5

SHOWS FOR

AS LITTLE AS

$50

Racine Theatre Guild2519 Northwestern Ave., Racine, WI 53404Phone: 262.633.4218 Fax: [email protected]

RACINETHEATRE.ORG262.633.4218

JEAN’S JAZZ Series 2017Season 16

Jean's Jazz Subscriber,

We wanted you to be the first to know that season tickets are now on sale. You have until December 1st to renew your present seats, or to be first in line to change your seating. After that, tickets go on sale to the general public. Don’t delay, order today!

February 18th, 7:00 p.m. Paris La Nuit

April 15th, 7:00 p.m. An Evening with The Rhythm Rockets

SAVE YOUR SEATS! Subscribe before 12/1

January 7th, 7:00 p.m. Janet O’Mahony & Mark ThierfelderTony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band

March 25th, 7:00 p.m. Nine Worlds EnsembleIvy Ford Band

Season Tickets$56 Adults$50 Seniors 62+

$15 Students (21 & under)

Jeans Jazz Postcard 6.5x4.indd 2 10/27/16 8:55 PM

COMEDY TONIGHTsubscribe. laugh. save.

SubscriptionsAvailable Now!

SAVE YOUR SEATS!

Subscribe before

September 7th!

262.633.4218

COMEDYSPORTZFebruary 4

OLE & LENA’s 50TH WEDDING

ANNIVERSARY & VOW RENEWALMarch 18

JEAN’SJAZZSeries 2017

season 16RENEWALNOTICESeason Tickets

$56 Adults$50 Seniors 62+

$15 Students (21 & under)

The Racine Theatre Guild2519 Northwestern Avenue, Racine, WI 53404

Box Office 262-633-4218www.racinetheatre.org

Continued from page 1

LIKE US on Facebook

Please let us know if you would prefer

to read the Callboard online.

The children accompany Mary out into the streets of London where they meet Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, who does everything from cleaning chimneys to sweep-ing streets. With statues that come to life, toys that appear life sized and alive, a visit to Mrs. Corry’s sweet shop and to their father’s bank, Jane and Michael are transformed. Mary’s brisk “Best foot forward,” “Anything can happen if you let it” and “Spit spot” become lessons for everyone in the Banks family. The musical play includes new and fresh songs and scenes that were not in the movie, enhancing the favorite characters and familiar songs. The Broad-way version of Mary Poppins was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning three. Reviewers wrote, “Irresistible! Broadway has found a fresh fountain of youth that will make many a grown-up feel like a kid again.” “Magical! A roof-raising, high-flying extravaganza.” Tickets will be going fast for this musical that runs December 9 to 18, and a special New Year’s Eve show and party. For information or to reserve tickets, please call the Racine Theatre Guild Box Office at 633-4218. Bring the whole family to Mary Poppins, to give an uplifting start to your holiday season.

Mary Poppins CrewDirector .............................. Doug InstenesMusic Director ....................... Greg BergChoreographer .......... Kara Ernst-SchalkTechnical Dir. ............... Chris ReinhardtScenic Design .................... Skelly WarrenPSM’s .......... Frank Russ & Katie KowbelStage Manager ............. Eric GuttenbergASM ...................................... Rose BlissCostumes ... Sharon Molina, Bob Benson

Cynthy McCrory, Jill DickertProps .................... Lori Russ, Kate Kowbel

Jerry Smith, Phil & Sandy Lyden , Frank & Suzanne Santaluccia

Sound ......... Eric Goodwin, Janet Petrik,John Whyte, Brian Hrpcek

Karen HamiltonLights .... Michael Kurhajec, Brian Hrpcek,

Fran Maccanelli, Anna Marie Smetana, Charles Bauer-King, Karen Hamilton

Makeup .. Jeanne Christensen, Ginny MuellerFly Crew ....... Frank Russ, Peter Jones,

Frank Santaluccia, Joe Vignieri, Davidson Kane, Pam Kawczynski,

Rob Kawczynski, Katie Kowbel

We Need Your Support As another holiday season approaches, we marvel at the support peo-ple have given the Racine Theatre Guild over the years. In 1938, it took a group of caring individuals to create the RTG, and it takes a caring com-munity to sustain it. That’s why we’re asking you for a year-end gift to your community theatre. As an RTG supporter, you played an important role. Your financial support helps us fulfill our commitment to entertain the community, cul-tivate students, and build memories that will last a lifetime. Please make a tax-deductible gift at racinetheatre.org/support-us/donation or return one of our donation envelopes to the box office.

The Callboard is written by volunteer Nancy Moldenhauer, a freelance writer

callboard - racine theatreguild stage when mary poppins re-turns. the smash broadway musical ran...

Documents