Performances are Thursday – Saturday nights with Saturday matinees and some Wednesday evenings. During the last week of the show, performances will be Monday - Saturday.
Synopsis
In the musical, Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, invites us into the world of London, England in 1910 — and, specifically, into the dysfunctional home of the Banks family. Jane and Michael, the young Banks children, have sent yet another nanny packing, dismissing these children as hopelessly and irrevocably spoiled and misbehaved. With a father who works constantly and mother who is always distracted, Jane and Michael have suffered without strong caretaking forces in their lives. Then the magical Mary Poppins flies in on the wind, bringing with her a combination of whimsy, magic, and disciplined common sense to the children’s lives. Together, they go on memorable and magical adventures — and also learn the importance of a tidy nursery and of taking the medicine they need (with a spoonful of sugar, of course).
How to Sign Up
Auditions are by appointment only. There will be one audition on August 8th for adult roles and another audition on August 10th for children roles.
ADULT AUDITIONS: Saturday, August 8th at 10:00 AM
CLICK HERE to schedule an Adult Audition
CHILDREN AUDITIONS: Monday, August 10th at 4:00 PM
CLICK HERE to schedule an Adult Audition
● Be prepared to sing 16 bars of music
● Bring your own sheet music; an accompanist will be provided.
● A head shot and resume is required.
Call Backs
Call backs will be held Saturday, August 22nd at 9:00 AM with the first read through scheduled for Monday, August 31st at 7:00 PM.
Audition Location
Auditions will be held at the Hale Theatre, 50 West Page Avenue in Gilbert.
Payment
Each adult actor 16 years of age and older will receive a payment of $25 per performance. Child actors will be paid $12.50 for each performance.
Rehearsal Pay
Actors will be given a flat rate rehearsal pay of $150.00.
Other Notes
Runtime: 2 hours and 15 minutes. Any questions may be emailed to auditions@haletheatrearizona.com.
Character Breakdown
MARY POPPINS: (22-28; Mezzo-Soprano) Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet very particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.
BERT: (30-38; Baritone) The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist, and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent, and is a song-and-dance-man.
MICHAEL BANKS: (8-10; Treble/Boy Soprano) The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.
JANE BANKS: (10-12; Soprano) The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.
GEORGE BANKS: (40-45; Baritone) The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.
WINIFRED BANKS: (30-40; Mezzo-Soprano) George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" as well as be a model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has a great warmth and simplicity to her tone.
ADMIRAL BOOM: (50-60; Baritone; Doubles in ensemble) A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Boom doubles as the Bank Chairman, he can be a baritone.
BANK CHAIRMAN: (50-60; Baritone; Doubles in ensemble) The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lyrics if necessary.
KATIE NANNA: (30-40; Doubles in ensemble) Jane and Michael's nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.
MISS ANDREW: (30-50; Soprano; Doubles in ensemble) George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with the range.
MISS LARK: (30-40; Doubles in ensemble) The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if he were her child.
MRS. BRILL: (50-60; Alto; Doubles in ensemble) The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.
MRS. CORRY: (40-50; Soprano; Doubles in ensemble) Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic).
ROBERTSON AY: (20-30; Tenor; Doubles in ensemble) The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy, and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.
NELEUS: (16-20; Tenor; Doubles in ensemble) The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.
BIRD WOMAN: (50-60; Alto; Doubles in ensemble) Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passerby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that reflects the hardness of her life.
PARK KEEPER: (40-60; Teno; Doubles in ensemble) Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.
ENSEMBLE: Policeman, Miss Smythe, Von Hussler, Northbrook, Fannie, Annie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Queen Victoria (Statue), Mr. Punch, Doll, Park Strollers, Customers, Kite Flyers, Sweeps, etc.
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