Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious will be the only way to describe the first production of Shuswap Theatre’s 2016-2017 season and local actors and dancers have an opportunity to be a part of it.
The theatre is holding auditions for their production of Mary Poppins on Aug. 25 to 27. The production will open on Nov. 25 and run until Dec. 11.
Kim MacMillan the production’s lead director said, Mary Poppins will be one of the most challenging plays ever attempted by Shuswap Theatre.
“It’s a big show with a big cast and we have a small stage and a small dressing room,” MacMillan said, adding that magic tricks and complicated music and choreography would also complicate the production.
Auditions will have three components consisting of singing, dancing and acting.
According to a Facebook page advertising the auditions, not all characters will need to both sing and act and some who dance will not need to have previous experience.
Along with the major characters, a small number of trained dancers are being recruited as chorus members and backup dancers for the production’s blockbuster dance numbers.
There will be a separate audition in search of two children to play the roles of Jane and Michael Banks who are on stage more than any of the other characters. MacMillan said that he could not recall a Shuswap theatre production which featured children as prominently as Mary Poppins.
Along with the children, the roles of Mary Poppins, Bert, George Banks, Winifred Banks, Katie Nanna and several others will be filled at the audition. It is expected that several cast members will play multiple roles.
Auditions for the adult roles take place on Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. and Aug. 27 at 9:30 a.m.
The separate audition for the children’s roles will be held on Aug. 25 at 1 p.m.
The audition for the dance ensemble is also on Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m., only trained dancers will be considered.
“It’s not like everybody has to be at a very high level of musical training. We don’t want to give that impression,” said MacMillan adding that many of the roles will only have to sing simple harmonies and learn a few steps.
The show will be directed by MacMillan with musical direction from Jean MacLennan and choreography by Carolyn Wonacott and Raelyn Heppell of the Shuswap Dance Center.
MacMillan said theatregoers could probably expect higher ticket prices compared to previous productions to cover the cost of royalties, large sets and costumes for the large cast.
He also said the production would be replacing Shuswap Theatre’s fall and Christmas shows.
More information on the audition process can be found on shuswaptheatre.com.
