June 10, 2015
Poppins People Post
Mary Bowden
"Mary Poppins"

The iconic “Mary Poppins” has been a role that I have wanted to tackle ever since I first saw the national tour in Atlanta a few years ago. A year later I was in New York and was fortunate enough to get to see it on Broadway, and the feeling grew even stronger. When I found out a little over a year ago that Market House Theatre was going to produce this musical, I was more determined than ever to prepare myself for my audition for the lovable nanny of No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane.

 The rehearsal process for this show has been smooth and so much fun. The blocking, music and dance rehearsals are extremely focused and we are constantly being pushed to be the best performers we can be by our directors. The cast gels very well together and I love getting to share the stage with such talented performers! To be completely honest, sometimes in rehearsals when I would be acting in a scene or singing song with someone else, I would think to myself, “WOW, they are just so fantastic!” when really I should be thinking about what line comes next. I can’t help it – Paducah is blessed with talented actors, singers, and dancers!

This experience has been more fun and challenging than I could have ever imagined. I am on stage more than I ever have been during one show, and if I’m not onstage, chances are that I’m backstage travelling to the other side of the stage while gathering props to prepare for another entrance. There is no time for me to “check out” of the show – I need to stay completely focused the entire time. The kids (Hope and Lucas, who play Jane and Michael Banks) help with this a lot too because they are on stage more than I am! We’re always helping to pull one another along to make the next entrance – our offstage (and onstage) moments are really special to me. I also sing…a LOT…so staying hydrated and healthy has been of the utmost importance to me.


The character of Mary Poppins has taught me many things that I will take with me long after this show. She always speaks her mind, and never compromises who she is. Sometimes she’s even a bit rude, but I think that’s what we love about her! Mary Poppins knows how to get a job done, but she has fun doing it.  She is stern, light-hearted, neat, cross, and lovely. I am having the time of my life in this role, and I hope that audiences are able to connect with the show and take home a wonderful lesson about the importance of family!

June 3, 2015
Poppins People Post
Lucas Bohannon
"Michael Banks"

The first thing I remember about the Market House is watching my dad, Tony Bohannon, play the beast in Beauty and the Beast in 2007. In 2010, my dad persuaded me to be in my first Market House Theatre production, Cinderella Enchanted. At the time, I didn't realize how much my life would change in the MHT family. In the summer of 2012, I once again shared the stage with my dad, in the production of Les Misérables.

Now don't get me wrong, I loved Les Mis, but honestly, it was not NEARLY as challenging as Mary Poppins. I love being in Mary Poppins! It has brought out a side of me that I didn't even know I had. Playing Michael Banks has been a blast! I thought this role would be hard, since I'm not a little British boy, but it turns out that I'm able to relate to Michael Banks a lot. I love the character and the way he acts. For example, Michael is a "noisy, mischievous, troublesome, little boy!"... AND SO AM I!  

Mary Poppins has been so challenging for many reasons. First of all, Hope and I are in every single scene except three, which means we have had to come to rehearsal almost every night! Fortunately I don't have many costume changes, but there is ONE where I have to do a quick change in "Jolly Holiday." I have about one minute to get into it but only about 15-30 seconds to get out of it. That will be challenging but I know I'll make it work. There are so many cues I have to remember as well. But in the end, I know that it will all come together and there will be nothing to worry about.

I can honestly say that I am amazed with people such as Michael Cochran, Emi Hensel, and Cindy Miller. Let's start with Michael. Every single show I have been in with him, he blows my mind! The things he thinks about and what he envisions are some things that I would never have thought to do. Emi has been so amazing! I would like to thank her for the hours she has put in choreographing some of the dance numbers. Cindy has also made this fun for me. She is so nice and helps people if they have any questions about the music, and on top of that, she has to direct an entire orchestra pit! Mary Poppins will definitely be an experience I will miss, but never forget! 

~Lucas Bohannon (aka "Michael Banks)

June 2, 2015
Poppins People Post
Fowler Black
"Bert"

Most adults familiar with the story of Mary Poppins probably have an idea of the role of Bert in the story. Ashamedly, I didn't prior to auditioning for "Bert" in MHT's production of the musical. I clearly haven't watched enough movies in my life. All I knew about Bert was what I saw from small promotional excerpts the Broadway cast shared at tourism industry conventions. Had it not been for the encouragement from friends to audition for Bert, I might have coasted my way through the summer with only my upcoming wedding in mind.


My fiancee's family is a movie-watching family. So they (Kim Yocum, in particular) enjoy enlightening me through movie exposure. Between reading the part of Bert in the Mary Poppins script and watching Dick Van Dyke in the movie, I quickly realized that Bert in the stage musical and Bert in the film were not exactly carbon copies of each other. In the stage musical, Bert acts as a narrator and far-away friend of Mary Poppins as well as a jack-of-all-trades (street painter, kite merchant, chimney sweep, etc). One notable difference in MHT's version is that Bert didn't have to master the skill of being a one-man-band. Aerial somersaults across the stage is enough for me.

What I've enjoyed most about the part of Bert are the lessons from his character. He remains positive and enjoys life to the max despite his occupations being considered "the bottom-most rung" on the ladder of life. His zeal for life actually makes him magical - he serves as an intermediary of sorts between the Banks children and the magic of Mary Poppins. Breaking down the socio-economic barriers, Bert's love for the Banks children helps them learn about life.

As the character grows on me, I hope to discover a little more quirkiness with the role.  Until then, I'll continue to have fun with the color that cockney provides.