Mary Poppins has been on a journey with children of all ages since 1934, first as a popular children’s book series by P.L. Travers, then as one of the most popular Disney films of all time, and now as a hit stage musical. From the beginning, the “practically perfect” nanny has enchanted millions of people around the world by showing how to see the magic in everyday life.

P.L. Travers wrote many children’s books over her career, but she is most remembered for the character Mary Poppins. The first book in a series of eight was “Mary Poppins” about the mysterious nanny and the family who lived at “No. 17, Cherry Tree Lane.” It was well-received by children, but also by respected authors and celebrity figures such as T.S. Elliot, Sylvia Plath, Princess Margaret, and Caroline Kennedy. It wasn’t until the early 1940s that Walt Disney heard of Mary Poppins, when his daughter Diane, who had become an avid fan of Travers’ series, brought her to his attention. When Disney approached Travers with the proposition for a movie, she refused. So began Disney’s fifteen-year campaign of attention, flattery, and transcontinental telegrams and visits to gain the rights to “Mary Poppins.” Eventually, Travers succumbed to Disney’s adamant courtship on the conditions that she received a hundred thousand dollars plus a cut of the gross, and, as seen at the center of the recent movie “Saving Mr. Banks” starring Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers and Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, she demanded script approval.

By the beginning of 1961, the plot for the Disney film had been outlined, several songs had been drafted by the famous Sherman brothers and a studio artist named Don DaGradi had created hundreds of sketches to convey the look of the film. The original Disney movie starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke made its world premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 1964, where it received a five-minute standing ovation at its conclusion. The film received 13 Academy Award nominations, and won five including Best Actress, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Score and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” David Tietyen, author of “The Musical World of Walt Disney” wrote, “It was a total synthesis of all that was Disney – animation, music, special effects, outstanding art and superb casting and acting.”

In 1994, two years before her death, Travers sold the theatrical rights for Mary Poppins to producer Cameron Mackintosh. At the end of the 40th year anniversary of the film, Walt Disney Theatrical partnered with Cameron Mackintosh to bring the beloved nanny to the stage. Drawing from the classic film for inspiration, they assembled a dynamic creative team to combine the original film score with new songs as well as additional stories from Travers’ other Poppins tales. Composers George Stiles and Anthony Drewe were brought in to work with the original film’s songwriters, Richard and Robert Sherman, to create new songs and merge them into the show along with the existing songs from the film. The new musical opened in December 2004 in London’s West End, premiering at the Bristol Hippodrome for a limited engagement, then moving to the Prince Edward Theatre, making Mary Poppins the only Disney musical to have premiered in the U.K. and the first to have been associated with another theatrical company outside itself. The original production received two Olivier Awards, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreography. The London production closed on January 12, 2008, after a run of just over three years.

While the London production was thriving in the West End, the Broadway production debuted on November 16, 2006, at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Many critics praised the show for its phenomenally magical technical work. At the 2007 Tony Awards ceremony, Bob Crowley won an award for scenic design and the show received a total of seven Tony Award nominations. The Broadway production closed to a sold-out house in March 2013 after a six year run consisting of 2,619 performances.

Because Mary Poppins has gained the reputation of a high-flying technical masterpiece, the Ogunquit Playhouse has enlisted the fabulous Flying by Foy, the most prolific and widely-respected theatrical flying system company in the world. Since its establishment by the innovative and revolutionary Peter Foy in 1957, Flying by Foy has provided flying effects for Broadway shows, London’s West End, regional theatres, ballet and opera companies, theme parks, cruise ships, concert tours, feature films and television productions worldwide. The world-renowned company partnered with the Ogunquit Playhouse this season to make young Billy Elliot soar during the dream ballet and now returns to bring the high flying magic of Mary Poppins to our stage.

GAIL BENNETT (Mary Poppins) performed the title role in Mary Poppins over 100 times on the First National Tour and Regional Premiere and played Usherette/ Lick-me Bite-me in the Las Vegas and Hollywood Bowl companies of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, directed by Susan Stroman. Other favorites: Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady opposite Tony winner Jefferson Mays, Maria in The Sound Of Music opposite Rex Smith, Janet Van der Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone with Sally Struthers, Marian Paroo in The Music Man opposite Davis Gaines, Irene Malloy in Hello, Dolly!, Betty Schaeffer in Sunset Boulevard, Betty Haynes in White Christmas, Claudia in NINE, Annie in Annie, Get Your Gun, Jellylorum in Cats, Dinah in Starlight Express, and Belle in A Christmas Carol with Christopher Lloyd and John Goodman. Gail has also starred in films and on television. Her most treasured roles are Wife to Aaron and Mother to Baby Lydia.

TONY MANSKER (Bert) Originally from Manhattan Beach, CA, Tony is thrilled to be returning to Cherry Tree Lane after a four year run in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. An original cast member, he tap danced across the ceiling as Bert on numerous occasions. Regional credits include: Sophisticated Ladies starring Maurice Hines (Arena Stage), The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), 42nd Street (Andy Lee) and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Tours: West Side Story (US Tour), West Side Story (International Tour). Big thanks to both of my Eddies. Chim-Chim-Cheroo!

CHRISTIANE NOLL (Mrs. Banks) Broadway/Tour: Chaplin (Drama Desk nom), Ragtime (Tony & Drama Desk nom, Helen Hayes award), Urinetown (Ovation award), Mambo Kings, …Nothin But The Blues, Jekyll & Hyde, Grease, Miss Saigon, City of Angels, South Pacific. Film/TV: The Sound of Music Live! (Sis Margaretta), The King & I (Singing Anna). Other: Closer Than Ever (Off-Bway Alliance award), Frankenstein, Witches of Eastwick (Signature Theatre.) New Moon (Encores!), Lizzie Borden (Goodspeed), Lincoln Center “American Songbook Series.” Guest Soloist with over 100 symphony orchestras. Opera: Washington National Opera, opposite Placido Domingo. christianenoll.com

JONATHAN RAYSON (George Banks) most recently appeared at Arkansas Repertory Theatre in the new Duncan Sheik musical Because of Winn Dixie, directed by John Tartaglia. Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour); A Year with Frog and Toad. National Tour: Little Shop of Horrors; Legally Blonde. Off-Broadway: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!; Adrift in Macao; That Time of the Year. Regional: Next to Normal (Dan) at Pioneer Theatre, Ark Rep and Kauffman Center; Goodspeed’s Carousel; Paper Mill’s Hello, Dolly!; Closer Than Ever at Mason Street Warehouse; and A Christmas Memory at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Jonathan’s CD, Shiny and New, is available on iTunes and Amazon. jonathanrayson.com

ANTHONY CHRISTIAN DANIEL (Robertson Ay/Asst. Director) is thrilled to be returning to the Ogunquit Playhouse where he was last seen as Professor in South Pacific. He has been seen on national and international tours of Disney's Mary Poppins, High School Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, and Grease! Other regional favorites include: How To Succeed... (Finch), Shrek the Musical (Pinocchio), I Love a Piano (Jim), Mary Poppins (Robertson Ay), and many more. Special thanks to Craig and everyone at Avalon Artists, Brad, Jayme, Lisa, and Shaun for this wonderful return to Cherry Tree Lane. For Seth and Rad. www.anthonycdaniel.com

JOHN O’CREAGH (Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman) has just appeared at the Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington DC in The Importance of Being Earnest and the Pittsburgh Public Theater in Candida. John has appeared on television on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “John Adams,” “Life On Mars,” “Law and Order SVU,” “Kidnapped,” and “Sex and The City.” He’s currently preparing a book of light verse for publication.

SANDY ROSENBERG (Miss Andrew, Bird Woman) is thrilled to return to Ogunquit Playhouse after appearing last summer as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein. Broadway credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel (Lady Digby), Mamma Mia! (Rosie U/S), and NYC Opera’s Candide. Sandy has played a Jewish immigrant (The Golden Land) and Mother Superior (Nunsense)… Agnes Gooch (Mame) and Carlotta (Phantom). Other favorites include Les Miserables (Mme. Thenardier U/S), Jekyll and Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield), Menopause the Musical (Earth Mother), Lend Me A Tenor (Maria), The Odd Couple (Mickey) with JoAnne Worley and Cindy Williams, and the Sondheim review You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow, for which she won LA Weekly’s Best Musical Performer of the Year. Love my Sid.

MARY VANARSDEL (Mrs. Brill), most recently, originated the role of The Bird Woman for the First National Tour of Mary Poppins. Some of her other favorite stage roles have been Mama Rose in Gypsy, Carlotta in the Yeston/Kopit Phantom, Lilly Byrne in A Man of No Importance, and many, many more. She made her feature film debut in the blockbuster film In The Line of Fire. TV appearances include “Boardwalk Empire,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Miracles,” “L.A. Law,” “Melrose Place,” and many others. A proud graduate of Bowdoin College, Mary is thrilled to be back in Maine! Complete bio at www.maryvanarsdel.com

JOSEPH HALL (Michael Banks) is so happy to be back in Ogunquit with this perfect cast! Other shows at OPH include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cat in the Hat (Boy), and Pinkalicious (Peter). Elsewhere, favorites include: A Christmas Story (Randy) and A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) at Seacoast Rep; A Christmas Carol (Ignorance, U/S Tiny Tim) at NSMT; A Year with Frog and Toad (Blue Jay) at Stoneham Theater; The Secret Garden (Colin Craven), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Changeling Boy), Oliver! (Orphan), and more at the Firehouse Theater; and Terezin: Children of the Holocaust (Leo) touring schools/theaters for 3 years. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Jayme, Shaun, Jean, and the entire cast and crew for a super run!

SIARA CARRILLO TRACEY (Jane Banks), 13, is from New Hampshire and loves to act! She has performed at OPH a number of times in Junior Players’ Productions. This is her first time on the main stage. She has also performed multiple times at Prescott Park, playing orphan July in Annie, and last year’s Portsmouth High School play as the witch Evillene in The Wiz. Other roles include Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty and Charlie in Willy Wonka. Siara is grateful to have so many great theaters in the area—especially Ogunquit Playhouse, and is so excited to be performing amongst such talented actors!

STEPHANIE BROOKS (Ensemble) is thrilled to make her Ogunquit debut! Stephanie hails from Arizona and holds a BFA in Dance and minor in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona. Recent credits: 42nd Street, White Christmas, My Fair Lady, and Chicago. Stephanie has danced with Ad Deum Dance Company (TX), the National Tour of the European equestrian show Apassionata, and H&M. She is the Co-Founder of Alma NYC dance company (www.almanyc.org). Big thanks to her loving family and MSA Agency. stephaniebrooks.org

LISA DONMALL-REEVE (Mrs. Corry/Ensemble) was born in the UK and trained at London Studio Centre, The Conservatoire de Paris (with Matt Mattox), and Martha Graham, NY. West End: Velma Kelly in Chicago, 1st U/S Ulla in The Producers (Original Co.) Once in a Lifetime (National Theatre) Crazy for You, Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady (RNT- Original Co.). International Touring and Regional: A Chorus Line, The Opera Show, The Rat Pack, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, Crazy For You, Cats, and Chicago. Numerous choreography credits and a faculty member at The Joffrey Ballet School. lisadonmallreeve.com

DARYL GETMAN (Miss Smythe/Dance Captain) is thrilled to have choreographed and worked with Dick Van Dyke earlier this year (PBS with Dir. Brad Kenney). Likewise, she couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this cast of Mary Poppins! Performance credits include: Jimmy Kimmel Live, 1st National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, West Side Story, Damn Yankees, The Music Man (Ogunquit Playhouse), Trip of Love (Japan), Singin’ in the Rain (Goodspeed), Joseph (MUNY), and Gigi in Gigi (Merry-go-Round Playhouse). Creative credits include: Pride and Prejudice the Musical (Assoc. Choreographer), Christmas Rose at Carnegie Hall (Asst. Director), and Cougar Town’s Broadway Dream Sequence on ABC (choreographer).

KORY GELLER (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Ogunquit! He was last seen as Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Other credits include A Christmas Carol (McCarter), A Chorus Line (Fulton), and the Broadway Dance Lab. Graduate of NYU/Tisch (CAP21). Many thanks to Jayme, Brad, and all the amazing people at Ogunquit, the magical Poppins team, bloc, parents, family, friends, and his rocks, Moesh and Jazzy. For Grandpa, who loved Disney.

TIMOTHY GRADY (Fannie/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at the Ogunquit Playhouse where he was last seen in Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Music Man! His recent credits include the National Tour of Elf, The Musical!, CTFD's Silver Jubilee (NY City Center), Hello, Dolly! (Maltz-Jupiter Theatre), 42nd Street (Riverside Theatre), A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre), and Happy Days (Gateway Playhouse). Other regional credits include Carousel (w/ Shirley Jones) and Will Rogers Follies. Tim is a graduate of Wagner College Theater. He would like to thank his mom, dad, and sister, Colleen, for all their support. TimGradyFilms.com

ASHLEY MARINELLI (Ensemble) is excited to be back at Ogunquit Playhouse! Theater: West Side Story (Ogunquit Playhouse), Funny Thing...Forum (Shakespeare Theatre Company, Helen Hayes Nominee), Petrouchka (NYMF 2010). Commercial: Performed with Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, Lady Sovereign, Shakira, and for X-Box, Wii, and Cirque du Soleil. Other: Disney Cruise Line, Superstarz Live!, works by Susan Marshall, and Jill Johnson. Graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Ashley dedicates this performance to her courageous family, and to her father. www.ashleymarinelli.com

KELLY MARTENEY (Miss Lark/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Ogunquit Playhouse debut! Recent credits include: 9 to 5 (Margaret/Violet cover), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie), Sweet Charity, Camelot. Kelly is a native to Los Angeles with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the College of Santa Fe (SFUAD) in Santa Fe, NM. She also studied acting abroad in London through Ithaca College's London Center. Many thanks to Shaun and Lisa. For Dad, Mom, Ryan, and Grandpa!

BRIAN CHARLES MOORE (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be returning to the Ogunquit stage! A native of St. Paul, MN, Moore graduated from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota with a degree in ballet performance. Previous credits include: West Side Story (Ogunquit Playhouse), Sweet Charity (Nat'l. Tour), Fiddler on the Roof (Virginia Rep.), High School Musical, and Fashion 47 (Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company). Many thanks and so much love to my family, mentors, and Mr. Peabody for being my rock in turbulent times.

ASHLEA POTTS (Katie Nana/Ensemble) is excited to be making her Ogunquit debut! She received her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. Since graduation, Ashlea has performed in theatres around the US. Favorite Credits include: Eurydice, Spamalot, and Drowsy Chaperone (Cape Rep), Diff’rent (Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival), The Who’s Tommy (Arkansas Rep), Joseph..., Beauty and the Beast, and Aida (Artpark). Commercial Credit: Definitions Gym. Ashlea is thrilled to join this production of Mary Poppins, and thanks her parents, B, and her angel, Danielle.

JAKE PRIMMERMAN (Von Hussler/Ensemble) is excited to be back in his home state of Maine for this production of Mary Poppins! Recent credits include: Anything Goes (North Shore), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Westchester Broadway/Gateway), Singin’ in the Rain (Gateway), and 42nd Street (Engeman). Other regional: The Will Rogers Follies, Funny Girl, Hairspray. TV/Film: "The Rachael Ray Show," "State Debate." Jake would like to send special thanks to his family, friends and mentors, the MP team, and everyone at the Ogunquit Playhouse! www.jakeprimmerman.com

CLAY STEFANKI (North Brook/Policeman/Park Keeper/Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his Ogunquit Playhouse debut! California native. Regional credits: Mary Poppins (u/s Bert), Starlight Express, and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tuacahn Center for the Arts); Miss Saigon (L.A. Ovation-nominated), Life Could Be A Dream, 42nd Street, Spamalot, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret (Cliff), White Christmas, Anything Goes. International: Miss Saigon (Macau, China). Graduate of UCLA. Special thanks to Shaun, Lisa, Steven Dry at Connor/Ankrum & Associates, teachers, and family.

TANNER WILSON (Neleus/Valentine/Ensemble) is so thrilled to be performing Mary Poppins at The Ogunquit Playhouse for the first time this summer! National Tour: Elf The Musical. Regional: White Christmas (Arkansas Rep.), FAME, Cinderella (ArtPark). Thanks to God, Elon MT, 870, family and friends, Julie at CESD, and Mary-Katelin for being the best.

RICHARD M. SHERMAN & ROBERT B. SHERMAN (Original Music and Lyrics) Honors include two Oscars (Mary Poppins), nine Oscar nominations, three GRAMMY Awards, 24 gold/platinum albums, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Early hits, including “You’re 16” and “Tall Paul,” led to a long-term association with Walt Disney and more than 150 songs for Disney films, TV, and theme parks (“It’s a Small World” being the world’s most translated and performed song). Their Disney film credits include The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Winnie the Pooh, The Aristocats, and The Tigger Movie. Other films: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Tom Sawyer, The Slipper and the Rose, Charlotte’s Web, and Beverly Hills Cop 3. Stage credits include: Over Her, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London, Broadway, UK tour), Busker Alley, Mary Poppins (London and Broadway).

JULIAN FELLOWES (Book) A British Oscar-winning screenwriter, Julian is also an actor and director. He studied at Ampleforth College, Yorkshire, and Magdalene College, Cambridge. His first script for cinema, Gosford Park (2001), won him the Best Original Screenplay Oscar plus honors from the Writers Guild of America, among others. He received the National Board of Review’s Best Directorial Debut for the film Separate Lies, based on his own screenplay. His other projects include the books Snobs and The Curious Adventures of the Abandoned Toys, and the scripts for Vanity Fair and Anthony Zimmer. Julian is married to Emma Kitchener and they share homes in London and Dorset with their son Peregrine.

GEORGE STILES (New Songs, Additional Music, Dance & Vocal Arrangements) Stiles and Drewe’s musical Honk! won London’s Olivier Award for Best New Musical (2000) and has since been in 2,000 productions worldwide. Their shows include Just So (North Shore Music Theatre), Peter Pan, Tutankhamen, and Soho Cinders. Other works include the score for Sam Mendes’ Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya (BAM), musical adaptations of Tom Jones and Moll Flanders, songs for the RSC’s Shakespeare Review, and a blissful spell as Dame Edna’s pink pianist and resident composer. Mary Poppins marked his Broadway debut. www.StilesAndDrewe.com

ANTHONY DREWE (New Songs and Additional Lyrics) During his 23-year writing collaboration with George Stiles, Anthony has written the book and lyrics for Tutankhamen, Just So, Soho Cinders, the multi award-winning Honk! and the lyrics for Peter Pan – A Musical Adventure (book by Willis Hall). With composer Tony Hatch, he wrote lyrics for The Card and, with Singaporean composer Dick Lee, the lyrics for A Twist of Fate. Work as a director includes Snoopy, Honk! (South Africa, Chicago, Tokyo, Singapore), and Just So (North Shore Music Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre). As a performer, recent work includes Rogues to Riches, The Three Musketeers, and A Twist of Fate. Mary Poppins marked his Broadway debut. www.StilesAndDrewe.co

CAMERON MACKINTOSH (Original Producer), for nearly 50 years, has been producing more musicals than anyone else in history, including the three longest-running musicals of all time: Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Cats. In May, his international hit production of Miss Saigon will open in London, where advance ticket sales are breaking records. Later this year, Cameron’s successful new production of Barnum (co-produced with Chichester and Michael Harrison) will begin a UK tour, and in the autumn he will also produce a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together. Other worldwide successes include Mary Poppins (co-produced with Disney), Little Shop of Horrors, Side by Side by Sondheim, Five Guys Named Moe, Witches of Eastwick, and his re-inventions of Oliver!, My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, and Carousel. Cameron, with Working Title and Universal, produced the hugely successful award-winning film version of Les Misérables. He owns seven West End theatres: Prince of Wales, Gielgud, Queen’s, Wyndham’s Noël Coward, Novello, and Prince Edward, all of which have been spectacularly refurbished. He’s also the co-owner of Music Theatre International, the world’s largest library of second rights of the great musicals. Cameron was knighted in the 1996 New Year’s Honours for his services to the British theatre and has recently been the first British producer elected to the Theater Hall of Fame.

SHAUN KERRISON (Director) This Summer Shaun is reunited with conductor John Wilson, directing Kiss Me Kate for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Kiss Me Kate will be broadcast live on BBC Radio and televised this coming Christmas on BBC2. He is also returning to the US to direct The Witches of Eastwick. Shaun has recently directed the European Premiere of Bonnie and Clyde at Arts Ed. with Olivier award winning choreographer, Bill Deamer and the Scandinavian Premiere of Shrek the Musical in Sweden. In Dublin he directed a major concert staging of South Pacific, starring Jenna Russell and Maria Ewing which was broadcast on RTE. Other recent work includes My Fair Lady for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London, South Pacific for the Ogunquit Playhouse in the USA (BroadwayWorld and IRNE Award Nominations Best Director) and the The Magic of Disney in Concert for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, an open air concert in Hyde Park. Shaun directed the Swedish Premiere of Crazy For You for Varmland Opera and two separate productions of Sunset Boulevard, for both Goteborg Opera and the shows US Regional Premiere starring Stephanie Powers (BroadwayWorld and IRNE Award Nominations for Best Director). Other regional work in the USA include new productions of Les Miserables and My Fair Lady (IRNE Award Nomination Best Director). On Broadway, Shaun was the Resident Director of Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theatre, Associate Director for the Broadway revival of Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre and he redirected the National Theatres Production of My Fair Lady for its 50th Anniversary US National Tour. In the UK, Shaun directed Super Alice Smith- a new musical for Perfect Pitch at the Trafalgar Studios in London. He was the Associate Director of Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre London and its UK National Tour, My Fair Lady at the National Theatre, Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK Tour, Martin Guerre at the Prince Edward Theatre, Peter Pan and The Pirates of Penzance both at the Savoy Theatre, Resident Director of The Lion King at the Lyceum and Assisted Trevor Nunn on Acorn Antiques The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Shaun has directed Baby at Mountview, The Life at Guildford School of Acting and both Merrily We Roll Along and The Mystery of Edwin Drood at the RWCMD. His Concert Staging includes Les Miserables -in concert in Tokyo and Japanese Tour and for a Gala to celebrate 100 years of the Entente Cordiale at Windsor Castle for Queen Elizabeth and President Chirac also in Chelmsford Festival, Cardiff Castle and the Royal Albert Hall. Hey Mr Producer! at the Lyceum Theatre. The Hired Man, Cavalcade of Coward and many cabaret and concert performances in London, New York and Nationally as both director and performer. He has toured internationally with the musical group “The WestEnders”. As an actor Shaun played the title role in Candide -Riverside Studios, Pirates of Penzance -London Palladium, Marry Me a Little -Water Rats, Chicago -Leicester Haymarket, Sweeney Todd -Oldham, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella -Tokyo, and Les Miserables -Palace Theatre London.

LISA STEVENS (Choreographer) Regional- Spamalot (Arts Club Theater Vancouver & Drayton Ent); Xanadu (Arts Club); Mary Poppins (Citadel/Theater Calgary), Anne of Green Gables, Cats, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (Theater Calgary), First Wives Club (Old Globe San Diego). Off Broadway- Bingo! The Musical. Tours: US Tour of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5; UK Tour of 9 to 5; US tour of Bombay Dreams; World Premier of Disney’s High School Musical US and UK Tours, West End, Australia, Japan, and Spain. Film - Diary of A Wimpy Kid 2. Other- Winter Olympics (Victory Ceremonies); NYMF’s Common Grounds. Awards & media: www.lisastevens.biz

JONATHAN PARKS (Music Director) is excited to be back at Gateway this summer! He has most recently served as Music Director for Gateway’s productions of 42nd Street and Young Frankenstein. Currently, Jonathan is working on his Master of Music degree at Florida State University, assisting both the opera and musical theatre departments. Previously, he was the Associate Music Director on the national tour of Young Frankenstein and the resident Music Director for the Lake Dillon Theatre Company in Colorado. www.jonathankparks.com

DUSTIN CROSS (Costume Designer) is pleased to be back designing for Ogunquit Playhouse after last year's successful season which earned him a Broadway World Award for Best Costume Design (Joseph...Dreamcoat) as well as a Broadway World nomination for West Side Story. Credits include: Broadway: The 24 Hour Plays (American Airlines); Off-Broadway: Forbidden Broadway Comes out Swinging (Davenport Theater),The Other Josh Cohen (SoHo Playhouse), Cougar The Musical, Zelda at the Oasis (both St Luke’s Theater); Regional (select): In the Blood (Baruch) and The Christmas Rose (Carnegie Hall), The 24 Hour Musicals (Irving Plaza), The Countess of Storyville (Signature Theater). Enjoy!

RICH LATTA (Lighting Designer), in a long and varied career, is proud to have The Ogunquit Playhouse as a constant, designing well over 100 plays and musicals. In NYC he has designed Off Broadway including: A Majority of One (Obie nomination), The Jazz Singer, Little Ham, the Arthur Laurent's plays Home of the Brave and Big Potato, Nunsense, Amen, Lava, Young Rube, Dudu Fisher, In Dreams, Pageant, and Nite Club Confidential. Broadway: Assistant projection designer on Thurgood starring Laurence Fishburne and The People In the Picture, also- The opera Moby Dick (Dallas Opera, Kennedy Center) and Mazeppa (Met Opera). Regional: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, The 39 Steps, Jekyll & Hyde, Annie, Joseph starring Andrea McArdle, Songs for A New World with Jason Robert Brown, Forever Plaid, 9 to 5 and many Shakespeares. Corporate Events: GM, Apple, IBM, General Foods, Hasbro Inc (5yrs) Jack Morton Productions, Encore Productions NY. (Associate Producer/Lighting Director- 5yrs), PDA (10yrs). Teaching artist for American Ballet Theater (10yrs). Tech consultant and designer for Newark Arts High (10yrs). Richard is grateful for the opportunity to help grow the Ogunquit Playhouse and salutes the hundreds of others who have participated through the years.

CHRISTINE PETERS (Set Designer) Credits: 2012/ 2013 Elf Tour. Broadway (associate designer): Les Meserables, Testament of Mary, Jekyll & Hyde, The Book of Mormon, Newsies The Musical, The Addams Family, Elf, Bonnie and Clyde, The House of Blue Leaves, Elling, Enron, Mary Stuart, The American Plan, Cyrano de Bergerac, Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life. National tours (associate designer): Newsies, Dirty Dancing, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast. Regional theater (designer): Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, Cinderella, Cats (Zoni Award, Set Design) Miss Saigon, The Man of La Mancha, My Fair Lady (Zoni Award), The Music Man. Midtown International Theater Festival (designer): Tallish Tales: A Cautionary Fable for Children and Adults (MITF Award, Set Design).

ERIC MARTIN (Sound Designer) has been working at the Ogunquit Playhouse since 2011 as an assistant in the audio department and is now very excited to return this season as the Sound Designer. He is based out of Oklahoma and most recently worked a production of James and the Giant Peach as an alumni designer at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Prior to that, he was the sound designer for a tour of A Christmas Carol (Palace Theatre). He likes to stay busy in between theatre by bartending, substitute teaching, or playing music. He would like to thank his family from Ogunquit to Oklahoma and everywhere in between that has supported him.

JEREMY OLEKSA (Sound Designer) is extremely excited to return to the Ogunquit Playhouse. His show credits include: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Man of La Mancha, Damn Yankees, Spamalot, Sunset Bou­levard, Chicago, Sound of Music, Music Man, Miss Saigon, Buddy, South Pacific, and 9 to 5. On his most recent produc­tion, he was the Engineer on the Na­tional Tour of Spamalot. Jeremy would like to thank all his friends and family for their continued support, especially his wife Becky Oleksa.

BRITT GRIFFITH (Hair Designer) is proud to be joining the Ogunquit team. She has been working professionally in theater/film for the last 12 years. She arrived in Maine fresh from her contract with the international tour of The Addams Family. Previous tour credits include the national tours of 39 Steps, Cabaret, and Oz: The Musical. Regional design credits include Forbidden Broadway, Beauty and the Beast, Show Boat, and The Drowsy Chaperone. She would like to thank her nearest and dearest for always supporting her, with a special thanks to Mommy Dearest for being her biggest fan.

GEOF DOLAN (Technical Director) is returning for his 8th season as the Playhouse's Technical Director and his 3rd as the overall Scenic Coordinator. Immediately prior to Ogunquit he served as Technical Director for Worcester Foothills Theatre. He has done supplemental design work for several shows and received 2014 BroadwayWorld.com’s Best Scenic Design in Maine for his work on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. (Robert Kovach original design.) He is also the technical supervisor for the Children's Theatre program. Geof began his technical career working backstage for both of his parents who are theatre directors and began his professional career at Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. For 5 years he split his seasons between Maine and Florida, working the same technical areas for the Orlando Shakespeare, but now he fills his off-season drafting, engineering and developing tour trollies for Molly Corp. His wife Cheryl, (Scenic Charge artist for the Playhouse) has designed award winning parade floats and designs many of the Children’s Theater Shows. His "born-in-a trunk" 13 year old daughter Ashlynn is an aspiring actress, musician and artist who hopes to make her Main Stage debut in the near future!

RYAN NEELY (Production Manager) is thrilled to be returning to Ogunquit Playhouse for his second season. Previously Ryan was the Producing Director at THEATREWORKS in Colorado Springs, Adjunct Professor of Stage Management at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs and the Assistant Production Manager at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Ryan has also worked as Stage Manager for many theaters across the country including the Disneyland Resort. Ryan has his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California Irvine. Ryan would like to thank his amazing wife and welcome his new born son to the world.

DAVID APICHELL (Production Stage Manager) Recent Off-Broadway credits include the acclaimed thirtieth anniversary edition of Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking!; American Jornalero and Intringulis (INTAR Theatre). Additional SM credits: The Music Man In Concert (Two River Theater/NJPAC); The Sound Of Music (Mill Mountain Theatre); Chicago, Fiddler On The Roof, and Les Miserables (Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston); Three years as PSM for the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and eleven years on the national tour of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Upcoming: To Kill a Mockingbird and Children of Eden (Mill Mountain Theatre).

DANIEL EVERETT (Assistant Stage Manager) saw his first production at the Ogunquit Playhouse at the age of eleven. Ogunquit Playhouse: Young Frankenstein, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. Off-Broadway: The Exonerated, Golda’s Balcony, Savage Acts. Regional: The King and I, 42nd Street (both at West Virginia Public Theatre), The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse). Special thanks to his family for all their support.

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting schools as well as amateur and professional theatres from around the world the rights to perform the largest selection of great musicals from Broadway and beyond. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these shows to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 60,000 theatrical organizations in the US and in over 60 countries worldwide.

JAYME MCDANIEL (Associate Producer) 2014 marks Jayme’s 4th season as Associate Producer for the legendary Ogunquit Playhouse. Last season he directed and choreographed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat starring Clay Aiken and was awarded 2 Broadway World awards for his efforts. He also directed and choreographed the audience favorite Singin’ in the Rain here in 2009 and received an IRNE nomination for his choreography. Previously he acted as the Associate Artistic Director at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN, where he had the fortunate opportunity to produce and direct several highly acclaimed and commercially successful productions. While in residence at the Ordway the Minneapolis Star Tribune lauded him as the Outstanding Director of a Musical for The Rocky Horror Show. As a Stage Director he has directed and/or choreographed Rebecca, the Musical at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, South Korea; Joseph… at North Shore Music Theatre, Singin’ in the Rain, Grey Gardens, The Sound of Music and Yankee Doodle at the Ordway; The Student Prince at Paper Mill Playhouse; Zorba & H.M.S. Pinafore for the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Violet, Candide & Drood with Connecticut Repertory; Always Patsy Cline, Evita, It’s a Fabulous Life, Chicago, Zombie Prom, The Merry Widow, People Like Us, They’re Playing Our Song and many others. As an Associate Director and/or Choreographer: Laughing Room Only (Broadway), White Christmas, Wonderful Town, Sound of Music, Yankee Doodle Dandy (5th Ave Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (Theatre of the Stars) Camelot and Rags (Paper Mill), Nefertiti (Parker Playhouse), Crazy for You (Musical Theatre West) and The Music Man (CLOSBC). He’s enjoyed a career on the stage as well, most notably in the final national tour of Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing.

BRADFORD T. KENNEY (Executive Artistic Director) is a New England based artistic director, producer, stage director and artist. Since joining the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2005, the Playhouse has doubled its audience growing from a single season summer stock theatre into one of the Northeast’s pre-eminent regional theatres with a three season performance schedule. During his stewardship, the Playhouse has garnered a number of awards and honors including the Moss Hart Award, Regional Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre from the New England Theatre Conference, multiple IRNE award nominations and a number of BroadwayWorld awards including Best Musical and others. Mr. Kenney is also noted for his work at Carnegie Hall including directing the holiday special, The Christmas Rose starring Jane Seymour and producing An American Christmas Carol with Tim Janis also at Carnegie Hall. In New England, Mr. Kenney has been proud to be associated with a number of different theatre companies. Ogunquit highlights include Damn Yankees starring Carson Kressley, Sunset Blvd starring Stefanie Powers, Charles Shaughnessy and Rachel York in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Jefferson Mays in My Fair Lady, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly! and Andrea McArdle in Cabaret. He was also formerly the Artistic Director of the Foothills Theatre and Wachusett Theatre Companies in Massachusetts. He is a fourth generation plein air landscape artist, having studied with Beth Ellis, Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art, and Maine College of Art. His artwork is represented by the Sea Bell Gallery, Shore Road, Ogunquit, Maine.

Mary Poppins Set to Fly Into the Ogunquit Playhouse

For Immediate Release:

July 17, 2014

Mary Poppins is set to fly over the rooftops of London and into the Ogunquit Playhouse July 30 to August 30! This family musical features the delightful songs from the cherished Disney film including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Step in Time.” Winner of 44 major theatre awards from around the globe, Mary Poppins has captivated audiences for generations with its enchanting story, unforgettable songs and dazzling dance numbers.

Gail Bennett will return to the Ogunquit Playhouse stage to reprise her role from the National Tour as Mary Poppins and Broadway actor Tony Mansker will return to the role of Bert after a four year run in the original Broadway production. Flying by Foy, theatrical flying experts, is helping the Ogunquit Playhouse create much of the magic and special effects for this production.

Gail Bennett performed the title role in Mary Poppins over 100 times on the First National Tour and regional premiere. She was last seen at the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2010 as Maria in the Rogers and Hammerstein beloved classic The Sound of Music opposite Rex Smith. Previously she appeared as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady opposite Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays. She performed in the Las Vegas and Hollywood Bowl companies of Mel Brooks' The Producers, directed by Susan Stroman and at many of the best regional theatres in the country from Maine to California. Her roles include Marian Paroo in The Music Man opposite Davis Gaines, Janet Van der Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone with Sally Struthers, Irene Malloy in Hello, Dolly, Betty Schaeffer in Sunset Boulevard, Betty Haynes in White Christmas, and Belle in A Christmas Carol with Christopher Lloyd and John Goodman.

"Playing Mary Poppins for the Ogunquit Playhouse is like coming home in more ways than one!” said Ms. Bennett. “Having performed the role over 100 times, I am truly at home in Ms. Poppins' shoes. So, I'm thrilled to be bringing her to Ogunquit, my favorite place to perform."

Tony Mansker, an original cast member of the Broadway production of Mary Poppins makes his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as Bert. Mr. Mansker has performed in regional theatres across the U. S. and performed in The Wizard of Oz as the Tin Man, Fiddler on the Roof as Motel, 42nd Street as Andy Lee and in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He was seen recently in the both the international and U.S. tour of West Side Story.

Tony Award nominee Christiane Noll joins the cast as Mrs. Banks. She has appeared in many Broadway productions and National Tours including Chaplin for which she received a Drama Desk award. For her performance in Ragtime she received both a Tony and a Drama Desk nomination, as well as a Helen Hayes award. For her performance in Urinetown she received an Ovation Award. Other performances include Mambo Kings, Jekyll & Hyde, Grease, Miss Saigon, City of Angels and South Pacific. She has also appeared in both film and television, most recently in The Sound of Music Live! as Sister Margaretta. She has also appeared as a guest soloist with over 100 symphony orchestras and performed opposite Placido Domingo at the Washington National Opera.

Jonathan Rayson will play George Banks. He has appeared on Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors as Seymour and A Year with Frog and Toad. National Tours include Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde. Off- Broadway he has performed in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!, Adrift in Macao and That Time of the Year. Mr. Rayson has also appeared in regional theatre productions across the U.S. including Next to Normal at Pioneer Theatre, Arkansas Repertory and Kauffman Center, at Goodspeed Musicals in Carousel, and Paper Mill’s production of Hello, Dolly!

Sandy Rosenberg returns to the Ogunquit Playhouse to play Bird Lady. She appeared last season as Frau Blucher in the smash hit Young Frankenstein the Musical. Ms. Rosenberg has appeared on Broadway in The Scarlet Pimpernel and Mamma Mia.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to have Shaun Kerrison, return from England to direct Mary Poppins. Mr. Kerrison was last in Ogunquit in 2012 to direct the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific for which he received both a BroadwayWorld and IRNE Award Nomination for Best Director. He also directed the U.S. regional premiere of Sunset Boulevard at the Ogunquit Playhouse starring Stephanie Powers (BroadwayWorld and IRNE Award Nominations for Best Director) as well as the all new productions of Les Miserables and My Fair Lady (IRNE Award Nomination Best Director) for the Ogunquit stage. He will return to the U.S. at the end of summer to direct The Witches of Eastwick for the Ogunquit Playhouse after reuniting with conductor John Wilson to direct Kiss Me Kate for the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. On Broadway, Mr. Kerrison was the Resident Director of Mary Poppins at the New Amsterdam Theatre. He was the Associate Director for the Broadway revival of Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre and he redirected the National Theatres Production of My Fair Lady for its 50th Anniversary U.S. National Tour. Mr. Kerrison has recently directed the European premiere of Bonnie and Clyde at Arts Ed. with Olivier award winning choreographer, Bill Deamer and the Scandinavian Premiere of Shrek the Musical in Sweden.

Lisa Stevens will choreograph Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical for Ogunquit. She has choreographed shows for regional theatres throughout North America including Spamalot and Xanadu at the Arts Club Theater in Vancouver, Canada; Mary Poppins, Anne of Green Gables, Cats, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee for Theater Calgary and First Wives Club for the Old Globe in San Diego. Her Off-Broadway productions include Bingo! The Musical. Ms. Stevens has choreographed many U.S. and U. K. National Tours including Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5; Bombay Dreams and the world premiere of Disney’s High School Musical at London’s West End, as well as in Australia, Japan and Spain.

Special effects in the musical version of Mary Poppins will be provided by Flying by Foy. Ogunquit Playhouse has hired the most prolific and widely-respected theatrical flying service in the world to allow Mary Poppins to fly over the Ogunquit stage and to help Bert to do some fancy footwork as well! The company was established in 1957 by Peter Foy, whose innovative techniques and patented mechanical inventions revolutionized theatrical flight. Throughout his lifetime, Peter Foy applied his artistic vision and mechanical ingenuity to the challenge of safely flying performers in a variety of different and often difficult circumstances. It was his creation that helped define Mary Martin’s barnstorming performance as Peter Pan for the 1954 Broadway musical. Since then Foy has introduced a series of wholly new flying systems, each created to remedy a problem or redefine a flying aesthetic. Ogunquit Playhouse is thrilled to have a renowned industry leader on board to provide the magic for its production of Mary Poppins the Musical.

Tickets are on sale now. Single ticket prices start at $39 per show. To learn more about becoming an Ogunquit Playhouse member or season subscriber, or to purchase tickets and gift certificates, visit www.ogunquitplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 207-646-5511.

Next on stage is the American Northeast premiere of Cameron Mackintosh’s hit musical stage adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick, September 3 to 27. This sexy new musical comedy is based on the Warner Brothers hit motion picture starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher about small-town New England women who wish for the man of their dreams ― and they get far more than they bargain for when the devil incarnate arrives to liven things up! “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re altogether ooky!” The Addams Family closes the Ogunquit season October 1 through 26.

Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney Film, Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The jack-of-all-trades, Bert, introduces us to the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins not only has a profound effect upon the children of the Banks family, but also Mr. and Mrs. Banks, who, thanks to Mary, realize the truth in the words "anything can happen if you let it." The story of the Banks family will touch the entire family. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft that makes it the musical that soars high above the rest.