by Tara Bone, contributing writer
Hold on to your umbrellas and get ready to experience the magic of “Mary Poppins” when she blows into Cache Valley on June 19 – 27 at Sky View High School.
Four Seasons Theatre Company , a local non-profit production group, is bringing the songs you know and the characters you love to life for Cache Valley families in a burst of high energy dances and vibrant colors. The co-directors behind the production are brothers, Kody and Jon Rash.
Besides co-directing “Mary Poppins,” Jon is a cast member in the production and vice president of Four Seasons Theatre Company. He urges families to step into Mary’s world and experience the energy of live theater.
“Imagine it: Another world will be brought to life right in front of your eyes,” Jon said. “There’s nothing that beats live theater.”
Family is what all of this is about. I hope people will come and enjoy this as a family, and parents that grew up with ‘Mary Poppins’ will have an opportunity to bring something into their child’s life that was part of their childhood.” – Kody Rash, co-director
Kody, co-director and president of Four Seasons Theatre Company, said the purpose of bringing “Mary Poppins” to local audiences is to provide high-quality and inspiring entertainment to families.
“Family is what all of this is about. I hope people will come and enjoy this as a family, and parents that grew up with ‘Mary Poppins’ will have an opportunity to bring something into their child’s life that was part of their childhood,” Kody said. “Our lives are busy and we’re juggling jobs and family, but with everything we’re doing, I hope people will come and be inspired and feel the magic of childhood.”
Sarah Huff, who also played Maria in the 2014 Four Seasons’ production of “The Sound of Music,” will star as Mary Poppins. Sarah believes it’s this magic that has captivated audiences for generations.
“There’s a desire people have, or at least I do, to have magic in everyday life. That even going for a walk in the park can be an event; it can be something greater than just the tasks,” Sarah said. “So even if it’s just a ‘spoonful of sugar’ that helps us clean up the toy room in life, there’s just enough magic that makes Mary Poppins very relatable.”
All of this magic will be brought to audiences by what Kody calls “an incredible cast.” The 60-member cast has been rehearsing since February. Kody said these ordinary people are doing extraordinary things with their families and their full-time jobs in addition to rehearsal schedules.
There’s a desire people have, or at least I do, to have magic in everyday life. That even going for a walk in the park can be an event; it can be something greater than just the tasks.” – Sarah Huff, cast member
Tyler Whitesides, award-winning author of the “Janitors” series, will play the role of Bert. Balancing rehearsal schedules, working with his percussion group, Jammin’ Janitors, and writing has posed some challenges.
“The month of March was crazy,” Tyler said. “I would write every night from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.”
Sarah, a mother of four daughters, said she included rehearsing into her everyday life and that her kids know the songs well.
“I often hear my two year old, who can’t talk well yet, sing with me; it’s so cute,” she said. “I try to make rehearsing just part of our activity at home – mommy is practicing and cleaning up the kitchen.”
Of the lead actors, Kody said audiences will not be disappointed.
“Sarah [Huff] as Mary is everything you expect,” Kody said. “She is the Mary Poppins everyone knows; she is incredibly talented and the same with Tyler [Whitesides]. People have asked me, ‘Is he good? He’s a great author, but can he act, can he sing?’ And I say, ‘Yes, Dick Van Dyke would be very proud.’”
Besides an incredible cast, Kody said the dances are amazing and that Mary will actually fly.
“It’s a really magical thing to see someone fly on stage,” he said. “We know it’s not reality, but we suspend reality, and our brains let us go there and be a child and just accept it.”
Visit www.fourseasonstheatre.org or call (435) 535-1432 to purchase tickets. A 30-percent discount is available on tickets for families of four or more! Use the code, FLYAKITE30, when ordering online to receive this discount. Call for special group pricing.
