The award-winning Family Performing Arts Center (FPAC) at Bridgewater State University will kick off its second season in January with the Disney and Cameron Mackintosh modern classic Mary Poppins, the Broadway musical.
The production brings together several parties from the state’s theater community. Joel Thayer, founder and artistic director of the community theater company Star Players of Massachusetts for nearly 30 years, is co-director and set designer for Mary Poppins.
“He is creating the fantastical set for the FPAC production,” said Lisa Troy, managing and education director of FPAC. Mr. Thayer was a member of the Department of Theater faculty at Bridgewater before becoming associate professor and program coordinator for arts and entertainment management at Dean College in Franklin.
Meanwhile, Jessica Haugh of Taunton, an Equity actress living in New York City, is starring in the title role. The production also features nearly two-dozen actors from across the state as well as a children’s ensemble.
The production, based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and on the books of P.L. Travers, has delighted Broadway audiences with more than 2,500 performances.
Mary Poppins will be staged in the Rondileau Campus Center Auditorium on the following dates: Fridays, Jan. 6 and 13 at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 7 and 14 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at www.BSUtix.com. Free parking on campus will be available in the West and Harrington lots.
FPAC has earned accolades for the two major productions staged in its inaugural season. The summer production of Beauty and the Beast earned the 2016 Moss Hart Award from the New England Theatre Conference in October. In addition to honoring the memory of the dramatist and director, the award recognizes and encourages outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England of plays that present affirmative views of human courage and dignity as well as exemplify fresh, imaginative, creative treatment within the intent of the play.
FPAC’s inaugural production last January of Seussical has been nominated for a BroadwayWorld.com regional award for best musical. “We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated,” said Colleen Rua, FPAC’s artistic director.
Cast members featured in Mary Poppins are:
Bridgewater
Hannah Buhmann – children’s ensemble
Lauren Coleman – children’s ensemble
Ronnie Marshak – Bird Woman/pit singer
Jim Quinn – Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman
Brockton
Nicholas Paradiso – Northbrook/ensemble
Boston
Helen Lee – Katie Nana/ensemble
Burlington
Andrea Giangreco – Mrs. Banks
Dover
Leo Olmstead – Michael
Duxbury
Mickey White – Bert
East Bridgewater
Stephanie Blood – Miss Smythe/ensemble
Natalie Lacy – Frannie/children’s ensemble
Sarah Lacy – Annie/children’s ensemble
Kim Waller – ensemble
Easton
Alexis MacElligot – Jane
Fairhaven
Jennifer Almeida – Mrs. Andrew/pit singer
Lindsey Ashborth – ensemble
Fall River
Emily Buckley – Mrs. Brill
Franklin
Mark Townsend – Neleus/featured dancer/ensemble
Hanson
Cassandra Gilbert – Valentine/featured dancer/ensemble
Middleboro
Anthony Genatossio – Robertson Ay
Ncole Genatossio – Miss Lark/ensemble
Peabody
Dana Reid – Cop/Van Hussler/ensemble
Plymouth
Matthew Stone – Park Keeper/ensemble
Raynham
Samantha Boragine – children’s ensemble
Patrick Chisholm – children’s ensemble
Kaitlyn Webber – featured dancer/ensemble
Taunton
Jessica Dougherty – Mrs. Corey/pit singer
Jessica Haugh (now New York) – Mary Poppins
Paul Hayden – Mr. Banks
(Story by Eva T. Gaffney, G'01, Division of Marketing and Communications)