Fun loving musical Mary Poppins to entertain audience at Concordia

Seward, Neb. (10/19/2017) — Concordia University, Nebraska, will present an evening of music, laughter and theatre in the production of the musical "Mary Poppins" at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3; Saturday, Nov. 4; Friday, Nov. 10; and Saturday, Nov. 11, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, all in Weller Hall auditorium.

"This show is a big undertaking for any theatre company, and it includes numerous technical and performance challenges along the way," said Bryan Moore, director of theatre at Concordia. "I hope people appreciate and enjoy the choices we have made for our production. The students have worked incredibly hard to make sure everything is just right and we look forward to sharing it with the Concordia campus and surrounding communities."

Tickets for the performance are available in the Concordia bookstore in the lower level of the Janzow Campus Center on Concordia's campus. They can also be purchased at the door prior to the show. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for Concordia faculty, staff and students. Admission for children ages 10 and under is also $5.

"Mary Poppins" is based on the series of eight children's books by P.L. Travers and the spin-off movie-musical by Walt Disney, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The musical follows the Banks family's magical adventures with their new governess, Mary Poppins. The "practically perfect in every way" nanny takes the two Bank children on fun and educating journeys while also reminding their parents of the definition of family.

Student members of the production include (listed alphabetically by state, city and then last name):

Nebraska

Ann Spilker, senior, Ashland, Neb., playing Bird Woman

Jade Rowe, senior, Cozad, Neb., artistic consultant

Noelle Show, sophomore, Fremont, Neb., ensemble

Jonathan Rippe, junior, Gretna, Neb., playing Valentine

Michael Duffy, senior, Kenesaw, Neb., playing George Banks

Dylan White, senior, Lexington, Neb., light design

Chelsea Irwin, junior, Lincoln, Neb., playing Miss Lark & Teddy Bear

Jonathan Kisker, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., scenery and sound

Aubrey Rich, junior, Lincoln, Neb., ensemble

Clara Rich, senior, Lincoln, Neb., playing Ms. Andrew

Melonie Kotschwar, senior, Minden, Neb., ensemble

Elyssia Finch, senior, Omaha, Neb., playing Mrs. Brill

Eric James, junior, Omaha, Neb., playing Bert

Tyler Raabe, senior, Omaha, Neb., playing Robertson Ay

Owen Anson, elementary student, Seward, Neb., playing Michael Banks

Madison Geidel, high school student, Seward, Neb., ensemble

Felicity Harrison, elementary student, Seward, Neb., playing Jane Banks

Ian Hendrickson, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Policeman

Caleb Jackson, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble

Sarah Johnson, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Mr. Punch

Cadence Klemp, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Mary Poppins

Mason Koeritz, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Bank Chairman

Sarah Krause, junior, Seward, Neb., playing Mrs. Corry

Juliet Moore, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble

Quinton Moore, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble

Emily O'Kief, high school student, Seward, Neb., ensemble

Katie Rasmussen, elementary student, Seward, Neb., youth ensemble

Elisha Scheiber, senior, Seward, Neb., playing Doll

Keziah Bruns, freshman, Waco, Neb., ensemble

California

Samantha Pietanza, sophomore, San Diego, Calif., playing Park Keeper

Colorado

Miriam Lipke, sophomore, Alamosa, Colo., ensemble

Breann Huber, junior, Arvada, Colo., props

Naomi Bauer, senior, Cascade, Colo., ensemble

Bethany Schilling, sophomore, Littleton, Colo., playing Winifred Banks

Ben Leeper, senior, Thornton, Colo., assistant director

Illinois

Jacob Henson, senior, Herrin, Ill., playing John Northbrook

Indiana

Kaleb Busche, senior, Fort Wayne, Ind., costumes and playing Admiral Boom

Iowa

Tiffany Smith, junior, Earlham, Iowa, ensemble

Kansas

Jayme Lowe, junior, Atchison, Kan., ensemble

Michigan

Emily Fehn, senior, Freeland, Mich., stage manager

Minnesota

Rachel Krome, sophomore, Fairmont, Minn., ensemble

Rebekah Rusert, junior, Truman, Minn., playing Ms. Smythe

Missouri

Mary Kohnke, freshman, Concordia, Mo., ensemble

Meghan Woodruff, senior, High Ridge, Mo., costumes

Linnea Buchholz, freshman, St. Charles, Mo., costumes and playing Neleus

Brianna Dehn, freshman, St. Louis, Mo., scenery

Erin Rowland, junior, St. Peters, Mo., costumes

Dana Simpkin, sophomore, St. Peters, Mo., assistant stage manager

North Dakota

Chad Berg, senior, West Fargo, N.D., scenery

Ohio

Chris Genszler, senior, Oregon, Ohio, sets

South Dakota

Amos Utecht, freshman, Rosebud, S.D., playing Von Hussler

Texas

Heather Rasch, senior, Denton, Texas, orchestra engineer

Timothy Rasch, junior, Denton, Texas, ensemble

Josh Frerking, freshman, Tomball, Texas, ensemble

Christopher Kasparek, sophomore, The Woodlands, Texas, scenery

Washington

Victoria Cameron, sophomore, Kent, Wash., ensemble

Wisconsin

Abigail Wisniewski, junior, Withee, Wis., playing Katie Nanna

Concordia faculty/staff contributing to the production include (listed alphabetically by last name):

Anne Gray, Concordia faculty, soloist vocal coach

Alexa Kirchgasler, Concordia staff, costume design

Mandi Maser, Concordia dance and cheer coach, choreographer

Bryan Moore, Concordia faculty, stage director

Robert Olson, Concordia staff, scenic design

Kurt von Kampen, Concordia faculty, chorus vocal director

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Nebraska, that currently serves more than 2,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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