Vermillion Players' 'Mary Poppins Jr.' features cast of nearly 90

The Vermillion Players will present "Mary Poppins Jr." nightly this week starting Wednesday and closing the show will a final performance Sunday night at the Chautauqua Park Theater.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. each evening with shows starting at 7:30 p.m.

“Mary Poppins, Jr.” is this year's children's play. The story is a condensed version of the popular movie that starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke.

This version, created by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, is specially created for a younger cast.

The cast is made up of nearly 90 performers.

The title is played by Isabelle Buchenau. Buchenau's mother, Robin Buchenau, is directing.

Logan McCabe plays Bert, the chimney sweep.

Also in the cast are Abram Cutrell as George Banks, Rosie Krenz plays his wife and the children's mother, Winifred Banks.

Jane and Michael are the Banks' children. Harper Steidinger plays Jane Banks. Michael Josefik plays Michael.

Katie Nanna, the nanny who abruptly quits out of frustration over the Banks children, is played by Dani Taylor.

Kooper Wiles and Greg Bradshaw play customers at the bank where George Banks works.

Miss Andrew, George Banks' childhood nanny, is played by Lynleigh Bartlett.

The music is familiar and performed well. Among the catchy tunes that audience members will hear are “A Spoonful of Sugar”, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Let's Go Fly a Kite.”

Making up the rest of the cast are Cora Morris as housekeeper Mrs. Brill, Dante Perez as servant Robertson Ay and Samantha Myers, who gives a solo as the statue Neleus that was brought to life. The Bird Woman is played by Avery Butler and Nola Dial is Mrs. Corry, owner of the Talking Shop. Kate Lauritsen is Mrs. Smythe. Patrick Diaz is the policeman and Ben Bartlett plays the messenger.

The rest of the cast includes Caitlin Teske, Kenley Sancken, Nicholas Friedman, Genevive Friedman, Nathan Buchenau, Tyler Hoover, Luke Josefik, Patrick Diaz, Ethan Bartlett, Jacob Lauritsen, Beckett Ahern, Ashlyn McCabe, Lauren Snyder, Nora Sweitzer, Lacy Payton, Isabelle Jean, Jaelyn Jones, Illyanna Jones, Eisley Levin, Nylah Davis, Laine Steidinger, Tiffany Legner, Evy Elmore, Claire Rodino, Ryann Krenz, Serenity Reilman, Madyson Herkert, Isla Davis, Payton Mercer, Maxwell Blackwell, Brittany Rustman, Riley Heddins, Myleigh Mulstadt, Lexi Taylor, Ivan Morris, Megan Forsyth, Jovie Bartlett, Zemira Bartlett, Addison Lorrance, Natalie Gillette, Will Diaz, Bianca Gill, Sophia Forbes, Ashleigh Lane, Kenzi Pike, Theodore Bartlett, Jorrie Simmons, Annabell Oaf, Adalyn Angell, Sayler Deal, Grace Akre, Lily Davis, Emma Jo Bolen, Josie Wenger, Remle Minnaert, Penelope Davis, Kaylee Lewis, Lizzy Josefik, John Hinz, Alexis Brown, Lyric Egle, Riley Salinas, Claire Ahern, Jacob Riley, Logan Miraglia, Caleb Bartlett, Rydell Bohm and Kailie Pike.

The assistant directors are Maddy Doran and Melissa Nagel. Producing the show are Terri Butler, Ben Diaz and Pam Teske. Anita Nangle and Sidney Necheles are the choreographers. Jennifer Simpson is the stage manager.

Providing musical accompaniment are Beth McCleary and Maddy Doran on piano and Ben Maier on percussion. Other tech crew members are Pam Teske (costumes), Ben Diaz (sets, painting and props), Sam Mehrkens, Jake Davis, Phoenix Butler and Gavin McKinney (lighting) and Jon Sear and Levi Rients (sound).

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: 'Mary Poppins Jr.' opens Wednesday at Chautauqua Park Theater