May 25, 2017

Pope Francis High School Players find success with first musical production

REGIONAL
By Lauren Brill

SPRINGFIELD – The Pope Francis High School Players presented their spring production of “Mary Poppins” May 19-21. The magical, high-flying musical was the first musical presented by the new high school under the direction of performing arts instructor John Anziano.

The students had been hard at work since the end of March. Everyone in the cast and crew was excited to take part in the production, especially freshman Elizabeth Bess of Springfield who portrayed Mary Poppins.

Bess admitted that in trying out for the play she was terrified of public speaking and had mixed emotions when she learned she was cast as the lead.

“I just didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t stop smiling,” said Bess. “I was so scared, but at the same time I really wanted to do it.”

Mary Poppins takes place in London, England in 1910. A set was built to reflect the time period. And the actors all had to focus on developing an authentic British accent.

Christopher Carey, a PFHS junior from Easthampton, played Bert, the chimney sweep. He said he listened to many different Broadway and off-Broadway renditions of his character.

“I felt preparing for the role I was able to meld the character with who I am and it made an important and significant experience that helped me grow as a person and go forward and learn the role how I wanted to,” said Carey.

The Broadway musical is not exactly like the 1964 film that stars Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. This stage version of “Mary Poppins” is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film about a magical nanny and a carefree chimney sweep who prove to misbehaving children and their uptight parents that it’s the little things that keep a family together. The song- and dance-filled show featured fan-favorite songs, including “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”; “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”; and “Spoonful of Sugar.”

Junior Joe Fernandes of West Springfield said he was challenged to depict the very stern father, George Banks.

“I looked back in history at all the soldiers in Britain, Germany and the United States and they always were shoulders up, head back, legs close together and I kind of incorporated that into the physical movements of George Banks,” said Ferandes.

Anziano said production presented many challenges to the cast and crew.

The production involved just about every aspect of the theater, from singing to dancing to acting to magic, he said.

“So it was the type of production that really calls for a lot of talent and we’re very fortunate here at Pope Francis High School to have a lot of talent,” said Anziano.

Along with Bess, Carey and Fernandes, the cast featured freshman Abby Russell of Springfield as Jane Banks; senior Braedon Brown of Southampton as Michael Banks;  junior Timothy Hurley of Westfield as policeman; senior Monica Brunton of Springfield as Miss Lark; sophomore Bradley Zweir of Holyoke as Admiral Boom and Teddy Bear; junior Gianna Branco of Wilbraham as Mrs. Brill; freshman Aaryn Brown of Southampton as Robertson Ay; sophomore Benjamin Henle of Springfield as park keeper; senior Devin Dumas of Springfield as Neleus; sophomore Skyrlee Amaro of Springfield as Queen Victoria; sophomore Seth Mastroianni of Springfield as bank chairman and Mr. Punch; sophomore Eileen Griffin of Holyoke as Miss Smythe; junior Owen Cusick of Springfield as Von Hussler; senior Jack Santos of Ludlow as Northbrook; freshman Lauren Welch of Springfield as bird woman; freshman Madison Lemieux of Westfield as Mrs. Corry;  freshman Elizabeth Commisso of West Springfield as Fannie; sophomore Rachael Shannon of Holyoke as Valentine and Annie; sophomore Katie Boutin of Chicopee as Katie Nanna and Doll; and sophomore Sophie Fitz of Holyoke as Miss Andrew.

All the students, from the cast and crew to the costume designers and makeup artists, had a great time putting on the production. All returning students say they are looking forward to next year’s production.

• A Pope Francis High School senior, Brill was an intern at Catholic Communications May 15-25. She also portrayed Winifred Banks in the PFHS production. Brill will be attending Hofstra University this fall and plans to major in broadcast journalism.