(Courtesy/@columbusacademy Instagram)
Academy’s Middle School cast in Whitney Eads’s directed Mary Poppins Jr. had an impressive run on January 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Schoedinger Theatre, even earning a sold-out Saturday night. From start to finish, the cast and crew showcased energy and teamwork.
Mary Poppins (Margot M.) led the cast with a mature, polished performance. Her calm stage presence grounded the show, whether she was restoring order in the Banks’s household or magically pulling surprises from her carpetbag. Bert (Blaine B.) brought warmth and charm, guiding the audience through the story with enthusiasm, while George Banks (Teddy D.) and Winifred Banks (Ina A.) captured both the tension and tenderness of a family learning how to reconnect. Jane Banks (Mackenzie R.) and Michael Banks (Henry E.) shared playful chemistry and showed character growth as they learned responsibility and imagination.
Supporting leads, Katie Nanna (Evelyn S.), Mrs. Brill (Jordan S.), and Robertson Ay (Alex B.) delivered funny moments with comic timing. Neleus (Nathaniel J.) and Bird Woman (Cate R.) stood out in quieter scenes, while Miss Smythe (Lola W.), Chairman (Arjan D.), Von Hussler (Blyden B.), and John Northbrook (Thomas L.) brought sharp character work to the bank sequences. Mrs. Corry (Polina G.) added whimsy to her scenes, Miss Andrew (Norah H.) brought intensity, and Policeman (Benjamin W.), the Sweeps (Polina G., Gabby C., Sonia G., and Kelsi M.), and Messenger (Ella H.) helped energize the ensemble numbers.
Musically, “The Perfect Nanny” highlighted the cast’s comedic timing, with animated reactions and movement that made the humor land for the audience. “Jolly Holiday” was a standout, featuring creative props like flowers and sparkly accents. Small moments, such as Mary Poppins pulling unexpected items from her bag, were played with great timing and showed how confident the students were on stage.
Behind-the-scenes work included several upper school students and faculty. The running crew, including eighth graders Gabrielle H., Reeyan R., Zoey M., Samantha S., and Henry W., kept transitions smooth, while the sets established clear locations, the lighting supported each mood shift, and the sound allowed vocals and dialogue to come through cleanly. Together, the technical elements elevated the production and made it professional and polished.
Joyful and well-executed, Mary Poppins Jr. highlighted both strong individual performances and team collaboration, serving as a reminder that big talent can come from any age and that great theatre takes a whole team.
