Source: Observer & Eccentric

Author: Brad Kadrich

There are nearly 60 students in the cast of the Mercy High School production of "Mary Poppins" that hits the stage Friday night.

But it's the performance of two crew members who never set foot on stage that could determine the success of the play. That's because, for the first time since 2004's production of "Peter Pan," Mercy actors will be flying through the skies.

And after training with experts from Las Vegas-based Flying by Foy, it'll be the responsibility of junior Melissa Kurpiers and senior Abbey Hembree to make sure those who fly land safely.

To this point in their careers, the two have only flown "drops," inanimate objects that help set the scenes. Now, those are people they'll be flying.

"It's kind of a big step up," Hembree said. "It's kind of cool to finish off my career by doing something I've been working on for three years with something so spectacular. It's been incredibly fun."

Teamwork will be important, the pair acknowledges. While one brings the flying subjects side-to-side, the other has to work them up and down.

"I was really excited," Kurpiers said. "It's a new aspect with the show I've never seen before. We have to work together to make sure they land in the right spot at the right time. It's cool."

And while some cast members will be flying high, most of the action, obviously, takes place on solid ground. The large cast brings to life Mary Poppins, the unusual nanny who comes to work for the dysfunctional Banks family.

Director Kathy Sill said the play — they're doing the stage adaptation, not the movie — was chosen because it's "popular with generations." And with Mary Poppins, Mrs. Banks, Jane Banks and others, the production has plenty of strong roles for girls, something important at the all-girl Mercy High School.

"It features a strong female lead, which we're always looking for," Sill said. "And there are a lot of roles for girls. That's important to us."

The show has presented its share of challenges. For instance, Sill pointed out that, while most productions are about 100 pages, this one runs a full 125 pages, with large production numbers.

And there's the early rehearsal schedule, which started with auditions Nov. 14, a consequence partly because of the need to work with Flying by Foy, which included three days of training. Such a long rehearsal schedule can present problems.

"We've been at it for four months," Sill said. "That's a challenge, but (the students) love it."

Then there's the massive set. The house set is made up of three huge pieces and that doesn't even count kitchen and nursery sets.

"Those are massive set pieces that we're not used to in a musical," Sill said.

None of that has kept the students from getting ready. Junior Kylie Kreucher, last seen as Dorothy Brock in "42nd Street," takes on the title role. She's a huge fan of the movie, which featured one of her favorite actresses, Julie Andrews.

"The voice part fits me very well," Kreucher said. "I grew up with the movie with Julie Andrews. She's someone I look up to as a singer and an actress."

Kreucher is one of three actors who fly in the play and the thought didn't really frighten her at all, even less so once she tried it.

"It's a lot of fun," she said. "I wasn't scared; the harness is so snug. It's really a cool experience being up there."

Matthew Swarthout of North Farmington High School plays Bert opposite Kreucher's Mary Poppins.

Swarthout said the music fits his range and he likes the way Bert sort of directs the action and does a lot of dancing.

"I really like the songs he sings and all the dancing," Swarthout said. "It's the first part I've played that's comfortably in my range. It feels more natural."

"Mary Poppins" plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 9-10, plus a matinee performance at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 11. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for children and students. They can be purchased in the school reception area, by calling 248-893-3572 or at the box office.

Mercy High School is at the corner of Middlebelt and 11 Mile roads in Farmington Hills.

Check out video sneak peek show footage here.

Contact Brad Kadrich at bkadrich@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter: @bkadrich.