Mary Poppins Part 2
I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Heather Herkleman, our wonderful Mary Poppins. Heather actually said hello every time I saw her and called me by name. Not all lead actors do this. That's not to say that all of the other lead actors that I have worked with are in fact divas. It's just that it is memorable how kind, sweet, and approachable Heather was. Even though she was working her butt off everyday she made the time to chat! Often more than hello!
And same goes for John Whitson, our Bert. John Whitson was in his very first show at QuadCityMusic Guild He had alot of spunk and energy. Likewise, he always greeted me by name.
Step in Time was the number that started its rehearsals as far back as April. It was long. It was involving. And it was actually quite fun by the end of the experience, once the majority of the dance moves had been transferred successfully to my muscle memory.
As far as Music Guild showsgo,I echo Bill Marsoun's sentiments that this one is one of the most complex. It was a heart attack on a plate. Any imeI narrolyavoided getting slammed by set being moved onto the stage, I considered that to be a sweeping victory.
During Step in Time, while frantically doing running steps, shave and a haircuts, and step shuffle ball changes, I thought at any moment I might wipe out and actually get hurt, like the time I slipped on the patch of ice at Western llinois Universy in Macomb in 2014. That fall hurt for several days. A fall on the Music Guild stage would have hurt more, and for longer.
I need to talk about Molly Ahern and Brennan Hampton. They had soaring voices, awe-inspiring acting skills and bright, shiny British accents. It is one of those old tropes how we learn from our children. But yeah, literally, we all became better actors by surrounding ourselves by these remarkable kids.
Brennan's brother Liam came to some of the practices too. He is still recovering from a rare virus that ravaged his body last year and left him paralyzed. He was up and walking around with the help of a walker when I saw him. He spent two months in the Peoria hospital getting his energy back, and another seven months at rehabilitation facility where he got his physical function back. I bought a card for him after having the chance to visit with him at the Sunday matinee of Cats. The cast of Mary Poppins chipped in to get him a gift card to Dairy Queen.
But that's just it. This cast was a family. Hovered around the countertops at cast parties at the Pieper's and the Crumbleholme's. Crowded into the back of a pick-up truck in the parking lot of the McDonald's. Snacking on cookies, brownies and rice crispie treats in the scene shop. Going over Step in Time and Jolly Holiday at Saturday and Sunday afternoon rehearsals. Jeanine giving Gabby a good run for her money as the greatest dance partner ever by bringing an apple that one time I was starting to forget the dance moves.
At the QC Family Entertainment Center, as we all sat around eating greasy but delicious bowling alley food, and then worked it off at the lanes, I realized how precious these Music Guild shows are. They foster such camaraderie, but this perfect assemblage of these particular dedicated individuals only goes the length of the show. Well, I shouldn't say that. The bonds last forever, as I run into Joe Fiems at Richmond Hills' production of Down to Earth, or at Dairy Queen in Silvis :) or I run into Luke Vermeire at the Rock Island K-Mart. But we'll all only be together these eight weeks.
The hugs lasted longer at the end of Mary Poppins as I made rounds to Colin, Carolyn, Lauren, Joe, Mitch, Juliet, Kathy, and Brad as I was on my way out the door of the bowling alley on Sunday. It was unique that we locked together like this. There was an element of compassion to this production that made it ideal for me.
And like with the play, as Mary Poppins comes into the life of the Banks' family, she leaves. But they are better for it. Same goes for the show. It came. It has happened. It is over. But that aspect of my life is permanent and in its own way has fixed me.
Even if I go months or years without seeing these people they are friends for life.
And same goes for John Whitson, our Bert. John Whitson was in his very first show at QuadCityMusic Guild He had alot of spunk and energy. Likewise, he always greeted me by name.
Step in Time was the number that started its rehearsals as far back as April. It was long. It was involving. And it was actually quite fun by the end of the experience, once the majority of the dance moves had been transferred successfully to my muscle memory.
As far as Music Guild showsgo,I echo Bill Marsoun's sentiments that this one is one of the most complex. It was a heart attack on a plate. Any imeI narrolyavoided getting slammed by set being moved onto the stage, I considered that to be a sweeping victory.
During Step in Time, while frantically doing running steps, shave and a haircuts, and step shuffle ball changes, I thought at any moment I might wipe out and actually get hurt, like the time I slipped on the patch of ice at Western llinois Universy in Macomb in 2014. That fall hurt for several days. A fall on the Music Guild stage would have hurt more, and for longer.
I need to talk about Molly Ahern and Brennan Hampton. They had soaring voices, awe-inspiring acting skills and bright, shiny British accents. It is one of those old tropes how we learn from our children. But yeah, literally, we all became better actors by surrounding ourselves by these remarkable kids.
Brennan's brother Liam came to some of the practices too. He is still recovering from a rare virus that ravaged his body last year and left him paralyzed. He was up and walking around with the help of a walker when I saw him. He spent two months in the Peoria hospital getting his energy back, and another seven months at rehabilitation facility where he got his physical function back. I bought a card for him after having the chance to visit with him at the Sunday matinee of Cats. The cast of Mary Poppins chipped in to get him a gift card to Dairy Queen.
But that's just it. This cast was a family. Hovered around the countertops at cast parties at the Pieper's and the Crumbleholme's. Crowded into the back of a pick-up truck in the parking lot of the McDonald's. Snacking on cookies, brownies and rice crispie treats in the scene shop. Going over Step in Time and Jolly Holiday at Saturday and Sunday afternoon rehearsals. Jeanine giving Gabby a good run for her money as the greatest dance partner ever by bringing an apple that one time I was starting to forget the dance moves.
At the QC Family Entertainment Center, as we all sat around eating greasy but delicious bowling alley food, and then worked it off at the lanes, I realized how precious these Music Guild shows are. They foster such camaraderie, but this perfect assemblage of these particular dedicated individuals only goes the length of the show. Well, I shouldn't say that. The bonds last forever, as I run into Joe Fiems at Richmond Hills' production of Down to Earth, or at Dairy Queen in Silvis :) or I run into Luke Vermeire at the Rock Island K-Mart. But we'll all only be together these eight weeks.
The hugs lasted longer at the end of Mary Poppins as I made rounds to Colin, Carolyn, Lauren, Joe, Mitch, Juliet, Kathy, and Brad as I was on my way out the door of the bowling alley on Sunday. It was unique that we locked together like this. There was an element of compassion to this production that made it ideal for me.
And like with the play, as Mary Poppins comes into the life of the Banks' family, she leaves. But they are better for it. Same goes for the show. It came. It has happened. It is over. But that aspect of my life is permanent and in its own way has fixed me.
Even if I go months or years without seeing these people they are friends for life.