Monday, May 2, 2016

"Mary Makes Your Heart So Light"


I hope you were able to attend the recent production of Mary Poppins at Gaston Day because it was great entertainment. As usual, Holly Mason directed a fantastic performance. Everything about the show was top notch. Greg Dills, Sue Thompson and other volunteers built a beautiful set. The whole cast was excellent. Maddie Ferguson, as Mary Poppins and Ben King, as Bert, were especially outstanding. The special effects were once again eye-popping, just as was the case with Peter Pan last year. When Mary Poppins sailed across the stage with her umbrella, it really was stunning!

Every show was well attended, and several were sell outs. We also had two days of shows for the community, specifically for some local public elementary schools. Isn't it great that Gaston Day School's drama program is serving the larger community?

Putting on and pulling off a performance like Mary Poppins is a monumental undertaking! Having the whole school involved is such a community-building enterprise. And, yes, it is a tremendous commitment of time and energy from all the cast and crew. Thank you to everyone involved for producing such an entertaining show. 

Every time we produce such a spectacular show, I feel gratitude to so many people. Let's start with Pamela Kimbrell Warlick, whose vision for the performing and visual arts and whose generosity gave us such a wonderful facility. Pam Warlick attended Mary Poppins, and I can only imagine what it must have been like for her to sit in the audience and experience her vision brought to life. What joy the Pamela Kimbrell Warlick Visual and Performing Arts Center brings to Gaston Day School and to the whole community!!

Holly Mason also deserves special praise for building such a strong theatre program. Can you imagine any other school our size producing a musical of similar quality and excellence? It really is amazing what Gaston Day School does in our theatre. 

The student actors and crew will never be the same after participating in such a remarkable undertaking and presentation. To be part of something so creative, to be part of a dramatic team with so many parts, to hear the applause of the audience and know that you have brought joy to so many, it must be transforming and unforgettable. I am so proud of all our actors and technicians who united to produce Mary Poppins.

"It's a jolly holiday with Mary! Mary makes your heart shine bright!! When the day is gray and ordinary, Mary makes the sun shine bright!"

I hope you were there!!