Press Release Intergenerational Mary Poppins at Van Singel Theatre
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michelle Wagner, Managing Director
Van Singel Community Theatre
616-878-6791
mwagner@bcpsk12.net
Magic in the Air: Local Community Production of Mary Poppins Features 20 Family Groups Sharing the Stage
Byron Center, MI — August 7, 2024
Byron Center's Van Singel Fine Arts Center presents a unique production of the musical Mary Poppins, featuring 20 family groups performing on stage together. Mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, sisters and brothers, flight operators, and even the director will be performing with family members on August, 15th, 16th, and 17th.
Parents and Children, Teachers and Students Interact Onstage
In our fast-paced world, families are starved for true off-screen connection. Between dropping kids off for soccer, dance, or playdates, and days spent apart at work and school, it’s no wonder many families spend money seeking “quality family time” on vacation or day trips. In Byron Center, multiple generations spend quality constructive family time together at theatre rehearsal. August is the official “Family Fun Month” and is the perfect time to highlight this rare experience.
"Our community theatre program is truly special in the way it brings families together onstage, making our production even more magical." says director Michelle Wagner. In its second year, the intergenerational Van Singel program hosts cast and crew from 3rd grade through adults. This summer, family units of two, three, and even four people from the same household are all on stage together, including twelve parent-child groups and five sibling duos and trios. Wagner's mother, Barbara Kozachik, sings Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious as "Mrs. Corry," a fun role reversal with daughter directing mother in the performance.
Elementary music teacher Mia Van Erp plays the lead role of Mary Poppins alongside some of her students. Other teachers also perform, including middle school math teacher Jeff Gdowski and elementary music teacher Meghan Furney. "He taught me to flip and I taught him geometry," Gdowski said about "Bert" character Paul Kimball during flight training. Jeff also performs alongside his twin daughters, who are making their stage debut.
BCHS Adminisitrative Assistance Betsi Ingersoll holds the role of Winifred Banks alongside Van Singel Fine Arts Foundation President D.J. Willard as George Banks. The pair share the stage with their children, performing as chimney sweeps dancing around the Banks family in Step in Time.
Katie Kimball plays an evil nanny who tortures the children, and her own son is the little boy in the Banks family. John, age 12, is responsible for "clipping in" his mom to the flight harness. “I’m making sure his allowance is all paid up this month!” Kimball quipped.
The intergenerational family element doesn’t mean that the show is second-rate. Auditions are rigorous, the production team includes full-time professionals, the sets are a spectacle to behold, and of course - there's the element of flight.
Van Singel Fine Arts Center’s production of Mary Poppins will be a delight for the community to behold August 15-17th, and it's been a delight for families to have the extraordinary opportunity to participate in an extracurricular event together. News readers and viewers will love the "feel good" story about this true family affair.
Purchase tickets for the show at vsfac.com/poppins to be part of the family magic.
About Van Singel Fine Arts Center and Community Theatre
Built in 1988, the Van Singel Fine Arts Center is a special place for students, parents, and area residents of all ages to imagine, create, express, and enjoy the arts. Our mission is to bring the transformative power of the performing arts to our community. This past season, we broke ticket records for Beauty and the Beast with BCHS Theatre, re-awakened Community Theatre with The Sound of Music, and had the largest cast size to date for Finding Nemo Jr. with Van Singel Youth Theatre! Our programs are a testament to the power of collaboration, family, and creativity, where each participant contributes their unique talents to weave a tapestry of wonder and emotion.
For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Michelle Wagner at 616-878-6791 or mwagner@bcpsk12.net.
Full list of intergenerational family members:
Director Michelle Wagner and mother, actor Barbara Kozachik
Student assistant stage manager Alex Boerman and mother, flight operator Diane Boerman
Costume attendant and actor Amber Bright and sisters on stage, Katelyn, Natalie, and Alyssa
Actor Jeff Gdowski and twin daughters Alexa and Claire playing honeybees
Actor D.J. Willard and children Carter and Kendyl
Mother-daughter pair Betsi and Fia Ingersoll, actors
Actor Carissa Judy and children on stage, Nolan and Alaina
Siblings actors Sophia and Clinton Wierenga
Mother-daughter pair Sara and Lyndon VanSingel, actors
Actor Addison Kinsman and her parents, actor Jenna and flight operator Jason
Katie Kimball and her sons Paul, John, and Gabe, all on stage
Actors Matthew Oom and his daughter, Madilynn
Sibling actors Davis and Piper Le
Liz and Brad Peters, actor and sound technician, and their daughter Lillian
Actor Brooke Dekkinga and sons, crew members Lucas and Harrison
Sibling actors Ruby and Noah Mccallumore
Sibling actors Sophia and Morgan Keiser
Daughter-Father pair Madeline Knapp and Andrew Vanderlip, actors
Cousin actors Lauren TenElshof and Jenna Taft
Mother-daughter pair Anvi Amit and Nima Kuttikrishnan, prop team
