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Did you know that our very own Ms. Mary Nicholas played Mary Poppins at the Northbrook Theatre in June of 2017? In honor of our shows getting underway at various sites, we sat down with Ms. Mary and asked her some questions for today's "Throwback Thursday" blog. Let's learn about her time playing everyone's favorite nanny!
What was your audition for the role of Mary Poppins like?
At auditions we learned a brief dance routine in small groups and sang 32 bars of a musical theater song with a pianist. I sang "Feed the Birds." At callbacks, we read scenes from the show in different combinations. At the end, I was asked to stay and sing "Practically Perfect" (which I had fortunately already learned just in case.) After being cast, I was in such a state of shock that I didn't tell my most of my friends or family for a month.
What were rehearsals like?
They were a whirlwind! I actually missed most of the first month because I was in another show at the same time, so I did my best to prepare independently and come into rehearsals memorized. When multiple scenes were rehearsed at once, I would bounce from room to room: one moment singing solos with the music director and the next in a choreography rehearsal with the ensemble.
What was the most challenging part of the role?
Mary Poppins in almost every single scene of the show, sings constantly, leads the infamous Letter Choreography in "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and is a character originated by Dame Julie Andrews. She is an awful lot to live up to. On top of that, I had never had a starring principal role, so this was my very first opportunity to prove to a production team, an audience, and to myself that I could be trusted with that responsibility. (No pressure.)
What was the most fun?
That being said, the most fun part of the role was making a childhood dream a reality. It was incredibly special to be a part of a musical I've treasured since I was seven.
What's your favorite memory from the show?
Flying is amazing and I highly recommend it.
What's your favorite song or part of the musical Mary Poppins and why?
I must say, when your name is actually Mary, "Jolly Holiday" is a bit surreal. My favorite of Mary's many solos is in that number, too --the part where she sings to Bert.
Any tips for the Skyline performers as they head into their shows?
I told the cast at our final performance that my favorite lines from the show are "Go on, chase your dreams. You won't regret it./ Anything can happen if you let it." For several years before this opportunity, I had believed I was done performing and would only work behind the scenes for the rest of my life. But the children I worked with at Skyline made performing look like so much fun that I started auditioning again. If you don't chase your dreams, you don't live them, so I would like to say thank you to all the children in Skyline for inspiring me to chase mine. Best foot forward as you head into your performances! Spit spot
What was your audition for the role of Mary Poppins like?
At auditions we learned a brief dance routine in small groups and sang 32 bars of a musical theater song with a pianist. I sang "Feed the Birds." At callbacks, we read scenes from the show in different combinations. At the end, I was asked to stay and sing "Practically Perfect" (which I had fortunately already learned just in case.) After being cast, I was in such a state of shock that I didn't tell my most of my friends or family for a month.
What were rehearsals like?
They were a whirlwind! I actually missed most of the first month because I was in another show at the same time, so I did my best to prepare independently and come into rehearsals memorized. When multiple scenes were rehearsed at once, I would bounce from room to room: one moment singing solos with the music director and the next in a choreography rehearsal with the ensemble.
What was the most challenging part of the role?
Mary Poppins in almost every single scene of the show, sings constantly, leads the infamous Letter Choreography in "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and is a character originated by Dame Julie Andrews. She is an awful lot to live up to. On top of that, I had never had a starring principal role, so this was my very first opportunity to prove to a production team, an audience, and to myself that I could be trusted with that responsibility. (No pressure.)
What was the most fun?
That being said, the most fun part of the role was making a childhood dream a reality. It was incredibly special to be a part of a musical I've treasured since I was seven.
What's your favorite memory from the show?
Flying is amazing and I highly recommend it.
What's your favorite song or part of the musical Mary Poppins and why?
I must say, when your name is actually Mary, "Jolly Holiday" is a bit surreal. My favorite of Mary's many solos is in that number, too --the part where she sings to Bert.
Any tips for the Skyline performers as they head into their shows?
I told the cast at our final performance that my favorite lines from the show are "Go on, chase your dreams. You won't regret it./ Anything can happen if you let it." For several years before this opportunity, I had believed I was done performing and would only work behind the scenes for the rest of my life. But the children I worked with at Skyline made performing look like so much fun that I started auditioning again. If you don't chase your dreams, you don't live them, so I would like to say thank you to all the children in Skyline for inspiring me to chase mine. Best foot forward as you head into your performances! Spit spot
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