The Magic of Mary Poppins Jr.: A School Musical Production

The magic of Mary Poppins Jr. came alive on stage recently, bringing joy and wonder to the audience. The Upper School music teacher, Jenn Boyum, led an ensemble of local musicians in providing accompaniment to the many familiar song-and-dance pieces. Linda Ross Girard designed the stunning costumes, while Cam McNall, Innovation Lab Manager at Shore, devised Mary's flying apparatus and oversaw the lighting changes and technical aspects of the show.

The students were not just confined to the stage; they played a crucial role behind the scenes as well. They worked alongside faculty members and parents to build and paint sets, operate the computer lighting setup, manage talent, props, and sets backstage during performances. For many in the cast, this was their first musical production, making it an even more impressive achievement.

As emphasized by eighth grader Daniel Blundin, who played one of the servants, 'If you asked me a week ago whether the musical was performable, I would have said absolutely not.' However, through incredible levels of creativity and collaboration, they managed to pull off a magnificent show.

The director, Sarah Carlin, confessed that she didn't realize the sheer magnitude of this show before deciding upon it. She stated that while it's not unusual for Shore's annual mainstage musical productions to be large and ambitious enterprises, this year's two-hour Broadway-style musical was a huge undertaking.

Presented from March 3 to 5, the musical was directed and choreographed by Sarah Carlin, a Shore theater arts teacher. The show featured numerous familiar song-and-dance pieces, including Mary flying onto the stage, sending kites in the air, and having kitchen furniture get broken and restored. It was indeed a magical experience for all involved.

Chimney sweep mary poppins jr