CLARKS GREEN — When they were little girls, Our Lady of Peace School (OLP) alumnae Elizabeth Gumula and Grace Farrell both loved the movie “Mary Poppins.” Both saw the Broadway production by the same title. As high school freshmen, they were involved in Scranton Preparatory School’s production of the play. And now, as high school seniors, they return to OLP to guide a cast and crew of about 50 OLP students and alumni in presenting “Mary Poppins Jr.” for the school’s spring musical.
The play will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 6 and 7, at Clarks Summit Elementary School. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Gumula and Farrell are, for the second consecutive year, serving as OLP’s spring musical director and choreographer, respectively. Last year’s production showcased “The Music Man Jr.”
When asked what made them return for a second year and what they enjoy most about directing, the girls expressed their gratitude toward the school for allowing them the creative freedom to use their theatrical talents and leadership skills in this way.
“It’s awesome that we’re two creative people and we can just go crazy with it,” Farrell said.
Gamula agreed.
“We’re going into the arts in college, and I love that we can do it in high school first.”
The girls described “Mary Poppins Jr.” as a play that “brings people together,” to which Principal Colleen Jumper agreed. The cast members’ grades range from fifth through eighth, with several “stage moms” and high school students from Scranton Prep and Abington Heights joining together to help.
All agreed the entire cast is working hard and doing a great job.
“What I love is watching them (the students) be able to express themselves in a different way than I know them,” said Jumper.
Other OLP alumni helping are John Cuck, technical director; Antonia Milas, scenic designer; Lily Mackarey, stage manager; and Lily Smith, Willa Farrell, Audrey Munley, Bella Feibus, Kiera Flannery, Claire Kelly and Dagny Rippon on the crew.
Lead cast members are Macey Pennay, Mary Poppins; Aidan Coppola, Bert; Jake Mackey, Mr. Banks; Sarah Aubrey, Winifred Banks; Brynn Tierney, Jane Banks; and Nicholas Delayo, Michael Banks.
Other cast members include Anna Kosierowski, Teddy Novak, Lily Kutz, Mya Joie Schimelfenig, Molly Devine, Kate Kolucki, Casey Healey, Patrick Robinson, Tyler Moncinelli, Grace Kowalski, Michael Allardyce, Chloe Conaboy, Annabeth Bernard, Caroline Curran, Clare Devine, Nora Collins, Mia Cardillo, Julia Farrell, Madeline Bormes, Angelina Montefour, Nora Kolucki, Kylie Hillebrand, Grace Devine, Cassidy Wylam, Alexis Straw, Skye Williamson, Annie Johnson, Gracie Mariotti, Dominica Delayo, Thomas Coppola, Anna Millett, Mia Summa, Ethan Cutillo, Gregg Novak, Bridget Fay and Emma Cuck.