NightBlue Performing Arts Company Announces Cast of MARY POPPINS

NightBlue Performing Arts Company is pleased to announce casting for the Chicago Non-Equity premiere of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's MARY POPPINS, a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film, with original music and lyrics by

the Academy Award-winning team of Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. MARY POPPINS will play February 28 - March 27, 2016 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. The press opening is Wednesday, March 2 at 8 pm.

MARY POPPINS will feature Kyrie Anderson in the title role as Mary Poppins and Ryan Dooley as song and dance Chimney Sweep Bert. The Banks family will be portrayed by Joe Smith as Mr. Banks, MacKenzie Skye as Mrs. Banks, Sage Harper as Jane Banks and Liam Dahlborn as Michael Banks. Rounding out the cast are Mo Allen, Caron Buinis, Josie Burck, Tim Casey, Eileen Cosgrove Casey, Ryan J. Duncan, Brian Fimoff, Judy Knudtson, Sierra Naomi, Paul E. Packer, Matthew Provencal, Kara Schoenhofer and Jake Stempel.

This intimate new production of MARY POPPINS is directed by NightBlue's Jeff-nominated Artistic Director David E. Walters (Spamalot), joined by critically acclaimed music director Austin Cook (Million Dollar Quarter, Sondheim on Sondheim) and by five-time Jeff Award-winning choreographer Kevin Bellie. Tickets are available at www.Stage773.com or by calling (773) 327-5252. For additional information, visit www.nightbluetheater.com.

MARY POPPINS is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family. The children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. They have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents - in particular Mr. Banks - are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she's the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "anything can happen if you let it!"

Comments Director David E. Walters, "Many folks think of the magic and magnificence of Mary Poppins on the big stage. At NightBlue, we are excited to tell you an intimate story of a family that discovers what is most important in life with the aid of a determined nanny. Oh, and don't worry, we'll sprinkle plenty of fairy-dust over this tale. Appropriate for any age, our Mary Poppins will help families want to make time for dinner together!"