Stacey Cabaj and Morgan Reynolds to Star in MARY POPPINS at Virginia Rep

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Mary Poppins on Friday, November 17, 2017, at the November Theatre/Arenstein Stage, 114 West Broad Street. The show will run through December 31, 2017. Previews will run for two nights on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16, 2017.

Virginia Rep is delighted to partner with the Richmond Times-Dispatch's Christmas Mother Fund to support families in need.

Based on the stories by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with a book by Julian Fellowes, this high-Flying Musical features rooftop dance numbers, magical illusions, and a memorable score by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Director Chase Kniffen has assembled an outstanding cast of 23 for this holiday production.

"Working with Stacey Cabaj is always a pleasure, and this iconic role is perfect for her. Mary Poppins is a show full of magic, humanity, and a whole lot of heart. It has always held a special place in mine. I am delighted to create magic on the stage with this fabulous team."

Kniffen's recent directing credits include Fun Home, a co-production with Cadence Theatre Company, A Christmas Story, and Dreamgirls. He has been recognized by the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle five times as Best Director of a Musical.

Virginia Rep will welcome back Stacey Cabaj as the practically perfect nanny. Cabaj starred in many past Virginia Rep productions, including The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and South Pacific. Stacey received her BFA from The Boston Conservatory and her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She currently serves as the Associate Head of the MFA Acting Program and Assistant Professor of Voice at Louisiana State University.

In his Richmond debut, Morgan Reynolds will be portraying Bert, after previously playing the role at Performance Riverside in California. Other recent credits include National Tours of The Wizard of Oz and Rudolph: The Musical. Also making her Virginia Rep debut, Anya Rothman joins the cast as Jane Banks. She recently played the lead role of Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC. Jack Hensley makes his onstage debut as Michael Banks. He recently participated in Virginia Rep's Young Performers Institute this past summer. Rounding out the family, John Moon (Da, A Thousand Clowns, The Clean House) and Andrea Rivette (Fun Home, A Christmas Story, Next to Normal) will return to the Virginia Rep stage as George and Winifred Banks.

Also in the cast are Robyn O'Neill (Bird Woman), Debra Wagoner (Miss Andrew), Luke Bernier (Robertson Ay/Ensemble), Lauren Leinhaas-Cook (Mrs. Brill/Ensemble), Mark Persinger (Admiral Boom/Ensemble), and ensemble members Michael Brennan, Casi Briggs, Emily Dandridge, Paul Dandridge, Raymond Dimaano, Andrea Dotto*, Skye Hagood, Derrick Jaques, Mallory Keene, Chappell Lee and Isabella Stansbury.

Choreographer Lisa Rumbauskas is making her Virginia Rep choreography debut with Mary Poppins. She holds a BFA in Dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and Opus Dance Theater in NYC.

John Winn returns to Virginia Rep as Musical Director. Recent musical direction credits include Dreamgirls and Mame. Winn will be assisted by Anthony Smith, who recently served as Music Director for Fun Home, co-produced with Cadence Theatre Company.

Brian Prather returns to Virginia Rep as Scenic Designer. Previous Virginia Rep design credits include Gypsy, South Pacific, and Fiddler on the Roof. Jeanne Nugent (A Christmas Story, Peter and the Starcatcher) and Virginia Rep Costume Director, Sue Griffin (The End of War, 1776), will design costumes. Todd Schall-Vess will serve as Illusion Designer and BJ Wilkinson will be Lighting Designer (Shakespeare in Love, Akeelah and the Bee).

For tickets ($36 - $62), contact the Box Office at 804-282-2620 or go online at www.virginiarep.org. Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available. U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person, day of show only. Valid Student ID required. Subject to availability.

Performance Schedule: Evening performances at 7:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and every Thursday; Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday; Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and Saturdays and every Sunday.

Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances and free self-park is available for patrons within blocks of the theatre. Valet is complimentary for patrons who dine at Max's on Broad, before or after the show.

Audio Described Performances: In collaboration with Virginia Voice, Virginia Rep is pleased to offer Audio Described performances narrated by volunteer audio describers who describe actions, expressions and gestures during gaps between dialogue throughout the performance for patrons with low vision or blindness. In addition to live audio description during performances, patrons are also invited to participate in a tactile tour before the performance.

Induction Loop: The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.

Community Tickets Grant: Virginia Rep is thrilled to offer a free Community Tickets Grant for nonprofit organizations. We encourage all organizations who have a demonstrated need for complimentary tickets to fill out a short application on our website: bit.ly/CommunityTix.

Sensory-Friendly Performances: Sensory-Friendly Performances will be offered on select dates. Please check website for details: bit.ly/SensoryFriendlyPerf.

Virginia Repertory Theatre is the regional professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. With a budget of $5 million, four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 530,000, Virginia Rep is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia Rep stages four seasons annually: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Theatre Gym Season in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Rep's Children's Season at Willow Lawn, and the Hanover Tavern Season.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.A.
+ Member of USA United Scenic Artists: local 829