By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
And
CAROLYN LEVESQUE
Publicity for
Streetlight Theatre
PEMBROKE—Julie Lantos is excited to see Mary Poppins come to the Streetlight Theatre stage this weekend.
The La Passe resident is the producer of this production.
“I love musicals, I love theatre,” she said, adding, “I can’t sing, I can’t dance. How can I become involved.”
An organizer and volunteer, Ms. Lantos started in the props section and worked her way up.
She and her husband moved to La Passe from Micksburg, a community they have lived in since 1987. When he retired, they downsized and purchased waterfront property.
Looking back at the history of the Streetlight Theatre, she said there was the Pembroke Little Theatre and the Pembroke Music Society. In 1988, the two merged into the Streetlight Theatre Company.
When the two were separate, and now as one, it continues to operate with volunteers.
“It always has been and always will be,” Ms. Lantos said.
The theatrical productions are great entertainment and “good value for the money.”
There is usually a production in October/November and in February/March a children’s show, which is performed by teenagers and younger people. There is usually a live orchestra and plenty of choreography.
Since the theatre operates on volunteers, there is always something for someone to do, especially since they build their own sets.
“It’s a great opportunity for someone to learn about light, sound, etc.,” Ms. Lantos said. “We’re always looking for volunteers.”
She noted there are 32 performers in Mary Poppins, along with more than 50 behind-the-scenes people. The performs come from throughout Renfrew County – from Douglas, Petawawa, and Pembroke. There are also eight dancers from Starz in Motion.
Mary Poppins is performed by Christine Helferty of Douglas and “has an amazing voice,” Ms. Lantos said. Another local performer is Georgia Wylie, a Grade 7 student at Cobden District Public School.
Georgia performs Jane Banks, one of the children Mary is a nanny to.
This is Georgia’s third performance with Streetlight.
A dancer, Georgia said she “wanted to try something new,” so went into acting.
“I like playing a character, it’s a chance to portray someone else,” she said.
Someday, Georgia would like to be an actress and until she makes it, “I’m going to keep trying,” she said.
She practices whenever she can and gets help from her parents, Sherri and Colin.
“They are helping me achieve a new challenge,” Georgia said. “I like the challenge.”
Georgia isn’t sure why, but maybe because of the dancing, but she doesn’t get stage fright.
Christine is the daughter of LJ and Jean and turns 24 while she’ll be on stage.
She is currently an occasional teacher with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board.
“Music has always been a part of my life,” she said. “We started singing at church,” she says of her family. “We love performing.”
She has also competed in the singing and piano competitions at the Renfrew Rotary Music Festival.
While at Queen’s University for six years, she studied voice and took singing lessons.
This is her first production with Streetlight Theatre.
“I’m thrilled,” she said. “I jumped right into community theatre. It’s fun working with children and adults.”
She has performed with Stone Fence Theatre, but her final performance was in 2012.
While browsing through Facebook, she came across the Streetlight Theatre’s page, saw there was an opportunity to try out for Mary and didn’t hesitate.
When she got the part, Ms. Helferty admitted it was difficult, because she was still living in Kingston.
However, with help from her castmates, she got through the difficult time.
This is her first time performing theatre in Pembroke and is “totally enjoying meeting all the wonderful artists and musicians. I’m making new friends. We have our own little world.”
Ms. Helferty enjoys portraying characters as the lines come to life. She enjoys Mary Poppins and is looking forward to a wonderful show.
TJ O’Grady, from Eganville and principal at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Westmeath, is the music director for Mary Poppins
This is his second production with Streetlight, but has been on the board of directors for three years.
In June he began teaching everyone their music with practises twice a week. However, with curtain call this weekend, he noted the past few weeks there have been more practices with the orchestra becoming a part of them.
There are five performances over two weekends starting October 19. This is a high energy, emotional production of Disney & Cameron MacKintosh’s Mary Poppins, a musical based on the stories of PL Travers and Walt Disney Film through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Mary Poppins has delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and now those in the Ottawa Valley will have the opportunity to experience the magic of Mary Poppins for themselves.
“Mary Poppins is a family favourite with broad-based appeal for all ages that brings to life so many familiar and much-loved songs and characters,” said Director Karen Keels.
“I think the audience will fall in love with this story all over again and it will bring back fond childhood memories of watching the movie. Not only will people be thrilled to hear many familiar songs, but they will also be wowed by some variations and new numbers as well, with exciting numbers featuring dancers from Starz in Motion.”
Rehearsals for the production began in July and Ms. Keels said she’s excited to be working with this immensely creative cast of 35, mostly adults, who come from all over Renfrew County.
“We are thrilled that many of our lead roles are being played by individuals who are new to our group including Mary Poppins herself,” Ms. Keels said. “This show is definitely going to highlight some of the amazing vocal talent in our area.”
The story of Mary Poppins takes place in 1910 England as told by jack-of-all trades, Bert who introduces us to 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.”
Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft that will entertain every age group.
No stranger to the Director’s chair, with some past productions including Fiddler on the Roof, Anne Frank, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver, Shrek, The Little Mermaid and Annie, Mrs. Keels said she took on this volunteer role again because she loves working collaboratively with other dedicated volunteers on shows that feature large casts and highlight local talent.
“There’s also enjoyment that comes from knowing that the audience appreciates all the hard work that goes into community theatre,” Ms. Keels said. “We are an organization run entirely by dozens of dedicated volunteers.”
The two-act show, with live music, debuts Friday, October 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, October 21. The following weekend, another evening performance will be held October 26th at 7:30 p.m. and the show closes with a 2 p.m. matinee October 27th.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.festhall.ca or by telephone at 613-735-2182 at a cost of $25 plus HST for orchestra seats and $20 plus HST for those in the balcony.
