Show Synopsis

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The jack-of-all trades, Bert, 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. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."

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Character Descriptions

 

Mary Poppins

Jane and Michael Banks's new nanny. She is extraordinary and strange, neat and tidy, delightfully vain yet particular, and sometimes a little frightening but always exciting. She is practically perfect in every way and always means what she says. A mezzo soprano with strong top notes, she should be able to move well. She can have a more traditional soprano sound, but precision and diction is the key.

Gender: Female

Age: 20 to 35

Vocal range top: C6

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

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Bert

The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep. Bert watches over the children as well as the goings on in Cherry Tree Lane. He has charm, speaks with a Cockney accent and is a song-and-dance man.

Gender: Male

Age: 30 to 35

Vocal range top: F#4

Vocal range bottom: B2

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George Banks

The father to Jane and Michael Banks, is a banker to the very fiber of his being. Demanding "precision and order" in his household, he is a pipe-and-slippers man who doesn't have much to do with his children and believes that he had the perfect upbringing by his nanny, the cruel Miss Andrew. His emotional armor, however, conceals a sensitive soul. A baritone, George may speak-sing as necessary.

Gender: Male

Age: 40 to 45

Vocal range top: Eb4

Vocal range bottom: Bb2

 

Winifred Banks

George's wife and Jane and Michael's mother. A former actress, she is loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to obnly associate with "the best people" as well as be the model wife and mother. She suffers from the conflicting feelings that she's not up to the job of "being Mrs. Banks," yet, she is, and more. She has great warmth and simplicity to her tone.

Gender: Female

Age: 30 to 35

Vocal range top: D5

Vocal range bottom: A3

 

Jane

The high-spirited daughter of Mr. and Mr. Banks, is bright and precocious but can be willful and inclined to snobbishness.

Gender: Female

Age: 11 to 12

Vocal range top: F#5

Vocal range bottom: A3

 

Michael

The cute and cheeky son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. Excitable and naughty, he adores his father and tries to be like him. Both he and Jane misbehave in order to get the attention of their parents.

Gender: Male

Age: 9 to 10

Vocal range top: E5

Vocal range bottom: A3

 

Katie Nanna

Jane and Micahel's nanny at the beginning of the show. Overwhelmed and upset, she has absolutely had her fill of the Banks children.

Gender: Female

Age: 30 to 30

 

Policeman

A neighborhood fixture who is respected by and observant of households on his beat.

Gender: Male

Age: 30 to 40

 

Miss Lark

The haughty next-door neighbor of the Banks family who treats her dog, Willoughby, as if her were child.

Gender: Female

Age: 30 to 35

 

Admiral Boom

A retired Royal Navy man and neighbor of the Banks family. A physically large man with a loud and booming voice, he speaks in Navy jargon and has a soft spot for his neighbor, Miss Lark. Can be any vocal range as needed. If Admiral Bloom doubles as the Banks Chairman, he can be a baritone.

Gender: Male

Age: 50 to 50

 

Mrs. Brill

The housekeeper and cook for the Banks family. Overworked and harrassed, she's always complaining that the house is understaffed. Her intimidating exterior is a cover for the warmth underneath. Mrs. Brill doesn't have a high opinion of nannies in general and Mary Poppins in particular. She does not have to be a strong singer.

Gender: Female

Age: 50 to 50

Vocal range top: D#5

Vocal range bottom: F#3

 

Robertson Ay

The houseboy to the Banks family. Lazy, sleepy and grumbling, he never gets things right and believes himself to be useless. He doesn't do a lot of singing, but his "Spoonful" solo can be a fun surprise.

Gender: Male

Age: 20 to 20

Vocal range top: G#4

Vocal range bottom: F3

 

Park Keeper

Uniformed and officious, he makes sure no one breaks park regulations. His life is defined by rules, but he secretly hankers after his childhood.

Gender: Male

Age: 40 to 40

 

Neleus

The statue of a young boy posed with a dolphin in the park. Neleus was separated from his father, Poseidon, and misses him very much. A small and lonely being, he is very happy to befriend Jane and Michael. This role is a wonderful opportunity to feature one of the strong dancers in your ensemble.

Gender: Male

Age: 16 to 16

 

Queen Victoria

A statue in the park.

Gender: Female

Age: 40 to 40

 

Bank Chairman

The head of the bank where Mr. Banks is employed, is an Edwardian stuffed-shirt. He can speak/sing his lines if necessary.

Gender: Male

Age: 50 to 60

Vocal range top: D4

Vocal range bottom: C3

 

Miss Smythe

The Bank Chairman's humorless secretary.

Gender: Female

Age: 40 to 40

 

Ensemble

Annie, Fannie, Valentine, Teddy Bear, Mr. Punch, Doll, Chimney Sweeps, Toys, Parkgoers.

 

Von Hussler

A businessman seeking a loan from the bank for a shady business deal. He speaks with a German accent.

Gender: Male

Age: 30 to 30

 

John Northbrook

An honest business man seeking a loan to build a factory for his community. He speaks with an accent from Northern England.

Gender: Male

Age: 30 to 30

 

Bird Woman

Covered in a patchwork of old shawls, and her pockets are stuffed with bags of crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs for the birds. She tries to sell her crumbs to passersby, who ignore her as if she doesn't exist. Sings "Feed the Birds." There can be a gruff, folksy quality to her voice that relfelcts the hardness of her life.

Gender: Female

Age: 50 to 50

Vocal range top: C5

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

 

Mrs. Corry

Owns a magical gingerbread shop. She is a mysterious woman of great age who speaks with a Caribbean accent (or any accent that would make her seem exotic).

Gender: Female

Age: 40 to 40

 

Miss Andrew

George's overbearing and scary nanny. With her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line, she is a bully who only knows one way of doing things - her way. A soprano with an alto belt, there can be some heaviness to her voice along with range.

Gender: Female

Age: 40 to 40

Vocal range top: F5

Vocal range bottom: Gb3

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