BWW Interviews: MARY POPPINS Cast Member and St. Paul Native Elizabeth Ann Berg Gives Hometown Connection to Beloved Musical

Elizabeth Ann Berg (Ensemble and Katie Nanna) shares a little about herself and her Twin Cities beginnings as MARY POPPINS gets set to open at the Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre April 23 - 28, 2013.

Berg's regional credits include: SHOW BOAT (Lottie) and HELLO! MY BABY (Nelly Gold, Workshop) at Goodspeed Opera House, INTO THE WOODS (Lucinda, IRNE Award Best Musical), COMPANY (April) and A CLASS ACT (Sophie). She attended St. Paul Academy and studied at MacPhail Center for the Arts and Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Berg's B.F.A. is from Boston Conservatory. (ElizabethAnnBerg.com)

Q. Where were you born where did you grow up?

A. I was born in St. Paul and grew up in Eagan, West Saint Paul, Saint Paul and Mendota Heights, Minn. I attended Saint Paul Academy (graduated in 2007) and Summit School K-12.

Q. Did you participate in musical theatre - or high school musicals - while you were here?

A. I participated in many, many Theater Productions, starting with the Egyptian Cinderella in 5th grade.

Q. What are the names of any artistic groups you may have performed with (theater, choirs, etc.)?

A. I performed in the Prelude program at MacPhail Center for the Performing Arts, The Children's Theater Company, Hillcrest Community Theater, Steppingstone Theater, as well as local summer camps. In middle school I performed in INTO THE WOODS, BYE BYE BIRDIE and GREASE in theaters around Saint Paul. In high school, I performed in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE MUSIC MAN, COMPANY and A CLASS ACT at regional theaters. At my high school, I performed in PEER GYNT, SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, INTO THE WOODS, TARTUFFE and EVITA.

Q. When and why did you leave? Where did you go?

A. I left after I graduated from Saint Paul Academy to attend the Boston Conservatory pursuing a BFA in musical theater.

Q. What are your favorite things to do when you return to the Twin Cities?

A. I love walking around and browsing the shops and restaurants on Grand Avenue. I ALWAYS eat at Café Latte and get a piece of cheesecake at a two person table overlooking the street. I also love walking around the lakes in Minneapolis (Lake of the Isles, Lake Calhoun). I always visit the Children's Theater Company and MacPhail when I'm in town to say hello to old teachers. I also love going to 50th and France in Edina for shopping, food and to attend the independent movie theater there. Another favorite area is Uptown and downtown Saint Paul (especially in the winter when all the beautiful Christmas lights are up).

Q. Do members of your family still live here?

A. Yes. My Mom, Dad, brother, sister and brother in law still live in and around the Twin Cities.

Make plans now to head to the Orpheum Theatre to see Berg along with lead actress Madeline Trumble, as Mary, in this jolly production on its second turn in Minneapolis.

Individual tickets for Mary Poppins are on sale now. Tickets start at $39 (subject to change) depending on performance time and seating preference. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402, no service fees), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 10 or more save, and should call 612.373.5665 for information and reservations.

Performance dates for Mary Poppins are Tuesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 28, 2013.

Performance times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel