CROSS Community Players Produce “Mary Poppins”

For community theater productions, summer is the time not to go to the lake, but to put on a show.

Cross Community Players continues to work on getting everything spit spot for their summer offering of “Mary Poppins.”

“The dance numbers have already been coming along pretty well for almost a month of rehearsal,” said Kirsten Ericson, who plays Jane Banks. “Everybody is really having a lot of fun.”


Serendipitous Connections

Some of the cast have serendipitous connections.


James Vair, who plays Bert said, “I’ve had the same water bottle since college. It has Concordia on it,” explained James Vair, who plays Bert. 

He brought the water bottle to auditions, where Mari Hyman who plays Mary Poppins noticed it.

“Mari points to my water bottle and goes did you go to Concordia? It’s like, yeah, I did,” said Vair.

“And I was like, oh yes. We were actually in choir together,” said Hyman.

The two now find themselves playing complimentary roles right next to each other as Mary and Bert.

Escalate Dance Studio handles Choreography

Ann Marie Omeish from Escalate Dance Studio in Osseo choreographed the show.

Anderson said, “I think there’s going to be an expectation with the audience what they want to see, but at the same time challenging the audience and giving them something they don’t expect,” added Jeff Anderson, who handles the direction.

The show is still in rehearsals, so make space on your calendar now for opening on Friday, July 19th in the friendly theatrical confines of Maple Grove Senior High.

You can find out all show time and ticket information on Cross Community Players website. Organizers encourage patrons to bring something to donate to the show as well.

“Cross Community Players mission is to weave artistic expression with charitable support,” said Steve Eckes, who serves on the board of directors. “Our patrons are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and school supplies to every performance and those are donated to Cross Services.”

Maple Grove