St. Louis (Jan 21) – Based on the timeless Disney film that introduced the world to the word “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” Mary Poppins brings a surplus of joy and wonder to the Variety Children’s Theatre stage. Boasting a cast of St. Louis’ top theatrical talents and a children’s ensemble featuring kids of all ability levels, Mary Poppins runs Oct. 23-25 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center.
Every year, Variety Children’s Theatre selects a musical that provides wonderful entertainment alongside a powerful message for families to take home. For all its rollicking adventures and musical numbers, Mary Poppins is the story of a father learning to love his children as they are and see the world through their eyes.
For Variety, this is an incredibly touching narrative that supports our mission of helping kids with disabilities, who often see the world in different ways. Instead of dismissing them, we all learn and grow more by meeting these children on their terms. It doesn’t take a magical nanny to teach us that.
Welcoming children of all abilities into the cast and to assist the production staff for it’s fifth annual Broadway musical production. Yet again under the direction of Tony Award nominee, Lara Teeter, Variety’s production of Mary Poppins will feature Variety children with disabilities in the children’s ensemble, along with St Louis’ most talented children, as well as Adult Actor Equity Association and non-Equity performers. Auditions for Mary Poppins will take place in early May.
Bringing together children of all abilities with professional adults in one of the city’s top performance venues to create an unforgettable experience for theatergoers cast and crew alike. Variety Children’s Theater (VCT) is an inclusive theater program for children with and without disabilities, age 8 through 21, to learn on-stage and backstage theater craft from experienced performing arts professionals. Directors, designers and actors teach children all aspects of theater arts while preparing for a classic musical theater performance (the 2013 production was The Little Mermaid
2014’s performance of The Little Mermaid had a cast of 18 children with a disability, including Cerebral Palsy, Spina bifida, Down’s syndrome, autism, Brittle Bone Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, hearing impairment, dwarfism, blindness and mitochondrial disease. Several of these children had lead roles that required speaking, singing and dancing. Behind scene, serving as production assistants, included 12 children with disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down’s syndrome, hearing loss and neuro-muscular disorders
About Variety – the Children’s Charity of St. Louis
Since 1932, Variety – the Children’s Charity serves children with physical and developmental disabilities in the St. Louis region, from infancy to age 21. Variety focuses on five core areas to help kids become independent and productive: gifting medical equipment for mobility and independence; developing unique education and recreational programs; funding therapy and Sunshine Coach Vans. Variety partners with 60 agencies to support programs and give scholarships that directly impact the lives of Variety children. For more information, visit www.varietystl.org.