Newtown High School students are making magic on the school’s auditorium stage: the spring musical, Mary Poppins, is being staged Thursday, March 21 to Sunday, March 24.

NHS has scheduled performances at the school, 12 Berkshire Road, at 7 pm, Thursday through Saturday, March 21-23. Matinee performances at 2 pm are scheduled for Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 24. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens. Tickets for the musical can be purchased online at nhsc.booktix.com. The musical Mary Poppins is based on the Disney movie by the same name and the book series by author P.L. Travers about a magical nanny and her “precocious” charges.

While students prepared for a dress rehearsal on March 18, Director Jane Matson recommended people come see the show because, “The kids in Newtown are incredibly talented.” Ms Matson said the students are talented in every aspect of staging the play, from acting to playing in the orchestra “pit” to creating the scenes.

“This is a great showcase for all of them pulling their talents together,” said Ms Matson about her students, adding that the show is “magical.”

Along with Ms Matson, production crew members are Producers Alysia Caffrey and Tegan Famiglietti, Musical Director Jane Matson, Technical Director Janice Gabriel, Choreographer Jane Matson, and Production Stage Manager Miles Divert. The assistant director is Sarah Grant, the stage manager is Sarah Marsh, the lighting board operator is Bobby Gaffney, the sound head is Tim White, and the costume designer is Marie Armstrong.

The pit conductor is Christopher Rich; the rehearsal pit director is Kurt Eckhardt; the set designers are Janice Gabriel, Bobby Gaffney, and Alix Lewis; the construction head is Alix Lewis; the scenic designer is Maddie Hossler; the lighting designer is Bobby Gaffney; prop coordinators are Kate Petersen and Sammy Vertucci; the assistant technical director is Bobby Gaffney; and the dance captain is Emma Stierle.

Cast members are Aidan Moulder as Bert, Will Crebbin as George Banks, Emma Stierle as Winifred Banks, Liv Doscher as Jane Banks, Jules Kessler as Michael Banks, Jessica Adair as Katie Nanna, Gregory Andrew as Policeman, Mackenzie Roche as Miss Lark, Jonathan Crosby as Admiral Boom, Lindsay Dievert as Mrs Brill, Danny Ingersoll as Robertson Ay, Leah Navin as Mary Poppins, Sean Kenny as Park Keeper, Will Connors as Neleus, Ashleigh Garrity as Queen Victoria, Michael Arena as Bank Chairman, Cristina Gomes as Miss Smythe, Trent Harrison as Von Hussler, Nate Wheeler as Northbrook, Carolyn Wolf as Bird Woman, Payge Shaw as Mrs Corry, Gillian Faircloth as Fannie, Shay Sullivan as Annie, Kayla Verga as Valentine, Danny Ingersoll as Punch, Lindsay Dievert as Bunny, Nate Wheeler as Teddy Bear, Cristina Gomes as Girl Rag Doll, Guy Bacon as Boy Rag Doll, Gregory Andrew as Soldier, Michael Arena as Soldier, Jon Ingersoll as Soldier, Michael Leary as Soldier, Taegan Smith as Ballerina, Paige Farley as Jester, Mackenzie Roche as Harlequin, Cat Darocha as Organ Grinder Monkey, Casey Dunn as Clown, and Jane Shearin as Miss Andrew.

Ensemble members are Marina Altimari, Gregory Andrew, Michael Arena, Guy Bacon, Will Connors, Jonathan Crosby, Sean Kenny, Danny Ingersoll, Jon Ingersoll, Michael Leary, Kayden Peterson, Colton Stergue, Random Thorflyn, Nate Wheeler, Zac Ziperstein, Jess Adair, Maleeha Ali, Jessica Andreotta, Bella Battaglia, Madison Benson, Katie Bisset, Maggie Breault, Anne Marie Carlson, Charlotte Cartelli, Olivia Cavallero, Amanda Colonel, Cat Darocha, Annie Davidow, Liv Deschenes, Lindsay Dievert, Casey Dunn, Gillian Faircloth, Paige Farley, Ashleigh Garrity ,Joan Gogliettino, Cristina Gomes, Catie Hanna, Maddie Hintze, Quinlyn Kessler, Julia Minchak, Erica Palmieri, Heidi Poarch, Mackenzie Roche, Maddie Rooney, Natalie Schapiro, Payge Shaw, Jane Shearin, Taegan Smith, Shay Sullivan, Kelly Terifay, Savannah Valentin, Kayla Verga, Carolyn Wolf, McKenna Wolf, and Elle Zeller.

Pit orchestra members are Annie Minor, Ryan Inzero, Greta Loesel, Thomas Hasselberger, Louise Baranger, Tim McCarthy, Connor Vignola, Kurt Eckhardt, Hayden Fletcher, Barb Reineke, Laura Flachbart, Ben Taylor, Jacob Clements, Roger Post, Michael Spanedda, Kevin Rau, Christopher Rich, and Tom Morris.

Crew members are Leah Bowman, Caroline Cassetta, Elizabeth Cassetta, Annie Davidow, Miles Dievert, Lizzy Gotschlich, Sarah Grant, Mackenzie Hughes, Emilia Koziol, Phoebe Mack, Leah McCafferty, Cassandra Mitsos, Josh Parsons, Kate Petersen, Charlotte Razzino, Ashley Reed, Avan Sheridan, Ben Taylor, James Thorpe, Dante Verna, Sammy Vertucci, Ella Wanzer, Kate Wassmer, and McKenna Wolf.

The “Spoonful of Sugar Tea With Mary and Bert” event that was planned for Saturday, March 23, for children to meet the characters was canceled as of March 19.