Zion Opera Workshop to present 50th anniversary show
Zion Opera Workshop will present its 50th anniversary show at 7:30 p.m. March 5-7, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. March 7.
With the desire to present a new show for the 50th year, ZOW directors have chosen a Disney favorite, “Mary Poppins” for this special presentation.
Tickets are available from any cast member or at Carbon County Music and More, 115 S. Second St. Lehighton. For more information on tickets, call 610-392-1810.
The lead role of “Mary Poppins” is being played by Laura Reichard of Lehighton. Mr. and Mrs. Banks, the mother and father of Jane and Michael Banks, are played by Brandon Cressley and Amy Shelly. Jane and Michael are played by Junior members Mylee Hauser and Aidan Wowk. The part of Bert, which was made famous by Dick Van Dyke, is being portrayed by Zach Sessock.
Mrs. Brill, who is a housekeeper in the Banks house, is played by Karen Serfass, who is partnered with Dylan Coffin, who appears as Robertson Aye, a lovable yet somewhat bumbling servant boy. Katie Nana, the well-known Banks servant, will be played by Casi Reichard.
The musical version adds two characters who are not present in the Disney Movie version. They include Miss Andrew, who was George Banks’ former nanny who comes back to take care of the Banks children. Otherwise known as the Holy Terror, she is played by Danette Gower. Also new to the musical version is Mrs. Corry, a colorful shop owner played by Lizzie Rief.
Admiral Boom, who was also featured in the movie version, will be played by Noah Smith. Eliza Asmann will be featured as neighbor lady Miss Lark, while Parker Fairchild will appear as the Bank Chairman and Tina Becker as Miss Smythe.
The iconic role of the Birdwoman from the original movie will be played by Tara Crowe. Rounding out the cast is Thomas McGinley as John Northbrook, as well as Aidan Malloy as the Park Keeper, Nicholas Hrusovsky as the Police Man, and Ethan Malkowicz as VonHussler.
In the musical version, the toys in Jane and Michael’s nursery come to life. Those toys are all played by Becky Herd as Valentine, Bethany Evans as the Ballerina, Kylee Kresge as Mr. Punch, and Emily Shelly as the Tin Soldier.
Park statues that magically come to life include Nelius, played by John DeMatte, who is joined by Hannah Smith as Queen Victoria, and Sophia Foraker as another dancing statue. Olivia Erickson will appear as Fanny, one of Mrs. Corry’s daughters.
Chimney Sweeps, Bankers and Townspeople include Martha Cox, Heather Brown, Dorothy Getz, Cincera Rehrig, Logan Kester, Felicia-Sue Anthony and Susan Eremus as well as Hunter Andreas and Laura Foeller.
Children of the town include Allison Foeller, Kate Newsted, Abby Ehrig, Claire Foeller, Emily DeFuso and Lily Andreas.
Stage Director Jessica Schafer will not only direct actors, but will also appear as various roles throughout the show.
Deb Strausberger, owner of TNT Dance of Lehighton, is once again acting as the group’s choreographer as she has for the past several years, creating and teaching the cast the dance sequences.
Technical Directors Pati and Duane Reichard will once again design, create and build all of the set pieces, creating rooms, outdoor scenes and roof tops as well as creating the Mary Poppins “magic.”
The show will be presented with live music provided by musicians from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Lisa Schweitzer, of Lehighton, will once again act as rehearsal pianist and will join the orchestra for performances as well.
Zion Opera Workshop is under the direction of Zion UCC’s director of music, Bradly R. Cressley.
The show is the “kickoff” for ZOW’s 50th anniversary year. Plans for other events through the year are underway, including a reunion of former members. Additionally, each night of the performance during announcements, former members of ZOW in the audience will be asked to stand and be recognized for their past participation with the group.
Zion Opera Workshop got its start back in 1970, when Zion’s longtime music director and local music educator Paul R. Smith and his wife, Linnea, decided to put on a musical because at the time, musicals were not being presented at Lehighton High School. The response received was well beyond what they could have imagined, and the group continues to grow today and includes both high school students as well as adults.
