More than 70 children and teens from around the Winnetka area are gearing up for what organizers say will be one of the most elaborate performances the Winnetka Children’s Theatre has ever hosted.
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the cast of the Winnetka Children’s Theatre’s “Mary Poppins” will work with Broadway-level technology at the Winnetka Community House as they sing and dance to the classic story of a special nanny and the London family for whom she works.
“We’ve never had anything like this,” said co-director Cathy Hirschmann. “This is so unique.”
She said that technology used in the show will include professional-level lighting projectors, backgrounds that allow flowers to bloom during song and dance numbers and rigs to let the star of the show fly across stage.
“It makes for a great ambience,” said co-director Toby Nicholson, a former New Trier dance and drama instructor. “It’s quite innovative. We just go for it and the kids are very excited.”
The cast of 74 children in grades four through eight also are getting ready to take the stage.
“It’s exciting,” said Liam Ryan, 13, of Northfield, who will be playing Bert the chimney sweep.
“Bert is a really happy-go-lucky guy and the neat thing to me is how energetic he is,” Ryan said. “It’s very relatable but it’s also a challenge. It does take a lot of rehearsal, but it’s been a really fun experience.”
Breezy Israelov, 14, of Winnetka, said her role of Mary Poppins is special to her since her character is so upbeat, kind and positive.
“It inspires me to be the same way,” she said.
Lucy McDowell, 13, of Winnetka, said she has been acting in the theater group since she was in fourth grade. She will be playing the part of Mrs. Banks.
“I’ve played other characters, but this one is more in-depth, I think,” said McDowell. “I really like the arc she goes through and how she develops throughout the show.”
McDowell said this is her eighth show with the Winnetka Children’s Theatre.
“I really like going on stage and being someone completely different from myself,” she said. “It’s so much fun.”
Although some of the cast members have been with the theater group for years, Ryan said this is the first show he’s done outside of school plays.
“I’m not nervous,” he said. “I think nervousness is pessimistic. I’m just really excited about performing in the play and being in front of all the people.”
Hirschmann said she has been co-directing with the children’s theater for decades and is grateful to the parent volunteers who help with sets and costumes in the weeks leading up to the show. She said she has seen generations of children and teens through productions at the theater.
“What I love best is the letters I get from kids after they’ve gotten older,” she said. “They always tell me how I made such a difference in their lives growing up. It’s just so fulfilling.”
Mary Poppins will premiere on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., and will run through Sunday, Nov. 22. For more information, go to www.childrenstheatrewinnetka.com.
