For the past seven years, Lyman Gilmore Middle School has offered its students a Musical Theater Elective course. In that time they have produced major productions, performed around the community, won theater competitions and represented our school at the State Capital for the California Youth in Theater Day. However, that momentum was put to an abrupt halt in March of 2020.
Like many performing arts organizations, COVID has greatly impacted Gilmore’s Musical Theater Program. It was the night of March 11th, 2020 when the students involved in their upcoming production of Frozen were in the midst of their final dress rehearsal before opening for a full house the following evening. However, instead of announcements, notes and final well wishes after their final run, students received the news that they would not be returning the following day. The theater doors were closed until further notice and that the pandemic had reached our corner of the world. Students left that night, unknowing that it would take two years to get back on that stage.
However, the day has come! Lyman Gilmore Middle School is presenting their high flying production of Mary Poppins, where over 80 actors, crew and production members will take stage March 31st through April 3rd. “Students that were once small 6th graders, who never got to perform their role for an audience, now help carry the weight of the show as role models, principal characters and stage managers,” says Becky Browning, Director and Musical Theater Teacher at Lyman Gilmore. “We have over 1,000 elementary school students coming to see our upcoming production. Some of which will be experiencing live theater for the first time, or attending a field trip for the first time! I am so excited to be in a full theater again, to watch the audience as the lights start to dim, to experience the laughter, joy and energy flowing through the aisles and, most importantly, to see students on that stage, sharing their gifts with others.”
You can join Gilmore students in this exciting stage adaptation of the classic tale of Mary Poppins. Your favorite practically perfect nanny takes center stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adventure based on the award-winning Broadway musical and classic Walt Disney film. Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again.
Performances will be held at Nevada Union High School’s Don Baggett Theater March 31-April 2nd at 7pm and Sunday, April 3rd at 2pm. Tickets are $12 each and can be purchased at Eventbrite or at the box office on the day of the show. For additional information https://www.lymangilmoremusicaltheater.com/