Magic of Mary Poppins coming to Coal City

The Practically Perfect nanny will fly into the Coal City Performing Arts Center this weekend as the Coal City Theatre Department brings the magic of Mary Poppins to the stage.
Based on the stories of P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins, is one of the most popular Disney titles of all time and the stage version is capturing hearts in a whole new way and the production being staged by the student cast at Coal City High School is sure to be one that audiences will be talking about for quite some time.
Guided by Jack Micetich, recipient of the 2023 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards Best Direction Award, the all student cast and crew has been putting in hours to ensure every character and production number is perfect in every way.
Much like the character she plays, Elaina Patten, is practically perfect from head to toe as the show’s title character, Mary Poppins.
Appearing opposite her is fellow senior Stephen Byers, Jr. as Bert, a chimney sweep with a sweet spot for the nanny who drops into 17 Cherry Tree Lane at just the right time.
Residing at 17 Cherry Tree Lane are George and Winifred Banks, roles taken by Jared Counterman and Elsa Bunton, and their two mischievous children Jane and Michael, who are played by Olivia Sage and Jackson Steinhouse.
The Coal City Theatre Department production is filled with magic that goes beyond Mary’s carpet bag.
Audiences will be drawn into the performance from the moment they walk into the auditorium that has been transformed into 1900’s London with its amazingly detailed set, stunning custom costumes, high energy dance numbers, beautiful music and acting that puts one right into the scene as if they were a part of the Banks family, and as always there will be a few surprises as the cast takes their guest to the rooftops of London.
Mary Poppins will be presented over two weekends. The show opens Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m. Additional shows are Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Mary will fly in for a second weekend of shows starting at 7 p.m. March 15 and continuing through Sunday, March 17. Reserved seat tickets are available at bit,ly/CCTDTickets. Same day ticket sales begin one hour prior to each performance at the Coal City Performing Arts Center, cash only.
The cast is comprised of Eliana Chernesky, Brody D’Orazio, Melody Kinder, Ethan Scrogham, Madison Wilson, Bobby Rodriguez, Julian Micetich, Mason Natyshok, Mason Hamilton, Isabella Byers, Jordan Olson, Dane Noffsinger, Adaline Dowling, Chesterine Kuhel, Kilen Davidson, Gianna Savarino and Amelia Fritz.
Members of the ensemble are Adrianna Veintemilla Esparza, Alex Carlson, Alex Collins, Anastasia Papach, Austin Harding, Ava Garrelts, Bridget Feeney, Cambree Davidson, Caroline Childers, Cora Armstrong, Ethan Donnelly, Evelyn Wills, Gavin Clubb, Isabella Bartholomew, Isabella Palacios, Josh Kosch, Kyah Hawkins, Lavila Wantroba, Leo McCants, Logan Hausman, Maxx Kramer, Theo Fritz, Wyatt Chase and Gabby Van Duyne.
Members of the crew are Alec Waliczek, Joe Watson, Hunter Gill, Jimmy Norris, Trey Buck, Gavin Vestal, Gavin Berger, Abby Kodat, Ben Watson, Emmaline Tribble, Jori Tucker and Buddy Widlowski
Student musicians involved in the performance are Jacob Cimino, Lorelia Erhard, Paisley Jackson, Mackenzie Messina, Vince Mugnolo, Mayson Wantroba, Shaun Polarek, Martin Ramirez, Anthony Royster, Grey Vanek, Sam Vota and Mackenzie Brown.
Micetich serves not only as the producer and director, but as the costume and lighting designer. He is assisted by vocal director Shanan D’Agostino, choreographer Kim Scerine, co-producer Ann Gill, scenic designer Celeste Sheridan, pit conductor Hope Connelly, production assistant Sophyia Williams, makeup designer Hailey Blazekovich and Chad White, wig designer.