Concordia University, Nebraska, will present an evening of music, laughter and theatre in the production of the musical “Mary Poppins” at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3; Saturday, Nov. 4; Friday, Nov. 10; and Saturday, Nov. 11, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, all in Weller Hall auditorium.
“This show is a big undertaking for any theatre company, and it includes numerous technical and performance challenges along the way,” said Bryan Moore, director of theatre at Concordia. “I hope people appreciate and enjoy the choices we have made for our production. The students have worked incredibly hard to make sure everything is just right and we look forward to sharing it with the Concordia campus and surrounding communities.”
Tickets for the performance are available in the Concordia bookstore in the lower level of the Janzow Campus Center on Concordia’s campus. They can also be purchased at the door prior to the show. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for Concordia faculty, staff and students. Admission for children ages 10 and under is also $5.
“Mary Poppins” is based on the series of eight children’s books by P.L. Travers and the spin-off movie-musical by Walt Disney, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The show follows the Banks family’s magical adventures with their new governess, Mary Poppins. The “practically perfect in every way” nanny takes the two Banks children on fun and educating journeys while also reminding their parents of the definition of family.
Student members of the production include (listed alphabetically by state, city and then last name):
Nebraska
Ann Spilker, senior, Ashland, Neb., playing Bird Woman
Jade Rowe, senior, Cozad, Neb., artistic consultant
Noelle Show, sophomore, Fremont, Neb., ensemble
Jonathan Rippe, junior, Gretna, Neb., playing Valentine
Michael Duffy, senior, Kenesaw, Neb., playing George Banks
Dylan White, senior, Lexington, Neb., light design
Chelsea Irwin, junior, Lincoln, Neb., playing Miss Lark & Teddy Bear
Jonathan Kisker, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., scenery and sound
Aubrey Rich, junior, Lincoln, Neb., ensemble
Clara Rich, senior, Lincoln, Neb., playing Ms. Andrew
Melonie Kotschwar, senior, Minden, Neb., ensemble
Elyssia Finch, senior, Omaha, Neb., playing Mrs. Brill
Eric James, junior, Omaha, Neb., playing Bert
Tyler Raabe, senior, Omaha, Neb., playing Robertson Ay
Owen Anson, elementary student, Seward, Neb., playing Michael Banks
Madison Geidel, high school student, Seward, Neb., ensemble
Felicity Harrison, elementary student, Seward, Neb., playing Jane Banks
Ian Hendrickson, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Policeman
Caleb Jackson, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble
Cadence Klemp, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Mary Poppins
Sarah Krause, junior, Seward, Neb., playing Mrs. Corry
Juliet Moore, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble
Quinton Moore, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble
Emily O’Kief, high school student, Seward, Neb., ensemble
Katie Rasmussen, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble
Elisha Scheiber, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Doll
Keziah Bruns, freshman, Waco, Neb., ensemble
California
Samantha Pietanza, sophomore, San Diego, Calif., playing Park Keeper
Colorado
Miriam Lipke, sophomore, Alamosa, Colo., ensemble
Breann Huber, junior, Arvada, Colo., props
Naomi Bauer, senior, Cascade, Colo., ensemble
Bethany Schilling, sophomore, Littleton, Colo., playing Winifred Banks
Ben Leeper, senior, Thornton, Colo., assistant director
Illinois
Jacob Henson, senior, Herrin, Ill., playing John Northbrook
Indiana
Kaleb Busche, senior, Fort Wayne, Ind., costumes and playing Admiral Boom
Iowa
Tiffany Smith, junior, Earlham, Iowa, ensemble
Kansas
Jayme Lowe, junior, Atchison, Kan., ensemble
Michigan
Emily Fehn, senior, Freeland, Mich., stage manager
Minnesota
Rachel Krome, sophomore, Fairmont, Minn., ensemble
Mason Koeritz, senior, Northrop, Minn., playing Bank Chairman
Rebekah Rusert, junior, Truman, Minn., playing Ms. Smythe
Sarah Johnson, sophomore, Waconia, Minn., playing Mr. Punch
Missouri
Mary Kohnke, freshman, Concordia, Mo., ensemble
Meghan Woodruff, senior, High Ridge, Mo., costumes
Linnea Buchholz, freshman, St. Charles, Mo., costumes and playing Neleus
Brianna Dehn, freshman, St. Louis, Mo., scenery
Erin Rowland, junior, St. Peters, Mo., costumes
Dana Simpkin, sophomore, St. Peters, Mo., assistant stage manager
North Dakota
Chad Berg, senior, West Fargo, N.D., scenery
Ohio
Chris Genszler, senior, Oregon, Ohio, sets
South Dakota
Amos Utecht, freshman, Rosebud, S.D., playing Von Hussler
Texas
Heather Rasch, senior, Denton, Texas, orchestra engineer
Timothy Rasch, junior, Denton, Texas, ensemble
Josh Frerking, freshman, Tomball, Texas, ensemble
Christopher Kasparek, sophomore, The Woodlands, Texas, scenery
Washington
Victoria Cameron, sophomore, Kent, Wash., ensemble
Wisconsin
Abigail Wisniewski, junior, Withee, Wis., playing Katie Nanna
Concordia faculty/staff contributing to the production include (listed alphabetically by last name):
Anne Gray, Concordia faculty, soloist vocal coach
Alexa Kirchgasler, Concordia staff, costume design
Mandi Maser, Concordia dance and cheer coach, choreographer
Bryan Moore, Concordia faculty, stage director
Robert Olson, Concordia staff, scenic design
Kurt von Kampen, Concordia faculty, chorus vocal director
