FORT WORTH, Texas (April 2, 2024) – Casa Mañana concludes its 2023-24 Children’s Theatre season with Mary Poppins Jr., presented by Happy State Bank and sponsored by Frank Kent Cadillac. The show runs April 20 – May 12 and is suitable for all audiences. Tickets are on sale now.
Your favorite practically perfect nanny takes center stage in this “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” adventure based on the award-winning Broadway musical and classic Walt Disney film. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Mary Poppins teaches the children the value of kindness, responsibility and imagination through adventures, life lessons and a little help from her chimney sweep friend, Bert. But Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect: Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.”
Rachel Rice (Mary Poppins) has been in over 15 shows at Casa Mañana. Select credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Shrek (Dragon & Witch), Matilda (Mrs. Phelps), Madagascar (Gloria). Other regional credits: Theatre by the Sea, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Circle Theatre, and Garland Summer Musicals. BFA: TCU.
Michael Scott Gomez (Bert) was born and raised in DFW and is now living and working in New York City. Graduate of both Arizona State and Harvard University with an MFA in Acting. Previous select credits at Casa Mañana: Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof, Winnie the Pooh. Other select credits: Mary Poppins, Man of La Mancha, West Side Story, The Donkey Show.
MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM
BJ Cleveland
DIRECTOR
BJ Cleveland has been working under the Dome for over 50 years. Since his beginnings as a Casa Mañana student, he has starred in and directed countless productions. Cleveland was the #1 kids show host on television known for “BJ and Lester” and “BJ and the Super Ones,” and as host of Route 66 on the Discovery Channel. He has been awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County, SPJST, DFW Critics Forum, and numerous acting awards by BroadwayWorld.com, Dallas Voice, FWST, and D Magazine. He recently originated the role of Chuck in the world premiere comedy Silver Foxes.
James McQuillen
MUSIC DIRECTOR
James McQuillen brings 25 years of experience as a music director, professor, producer and performer. His work as a teacher and music director has taken him all over the world. James holds a BA in Music from the University of North Texas and a MA in Arts Management from American University.
Merrill West
CHOREOGRAPHER
Merrill West is a dancer, teacher and choreographer who was based in NYC for 20 years. Her choreographic work at Casa Mañana includes Bat Boy, High School Musical, The Descendants, Shrek, High School Musical and more. She is currently faculty in the TCU Theatre Department and has taught master classes for CCM, NYU, Towson University, ACU, OCU and The Radio City Rockettes. As a performer, Merrill was one of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes for eight seasons and appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning revival of 42nd Street. Her regional theatre credits are numerous and include a Helen Hayes Award for her appearance in the ensemble of Hello Dolly! at Ford’s Theatre in DC. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from New York University and is a proud member of both AEA and SDC.
MEET THE CAST
Rachel Rice*
MARY POPPINS
Michael Scott Gomez*
BERT
Paul T. Taylor*
GEORGE BANKS
Rowan Gilvie*
WINIFRED BANKS
Isabella Green
JANE BANKS
Charlie Bilbow
MICHAEL BANKS
Ellen Eberhardt*
MRS. BRILL
Maxton Rhys Sims
ROBERTSON AY
Kristal Seid*
KATIE NANNA
Seth Paden*
NELEUS / NORTHBROOK
Laurel Lynn Collins*
BIRD WOMAN
Andrew Nicholas*
CHAIRMAN
Esteban A. Vilchez*
VON HUSSLER
Samantha Snow
ENSEMBLE
Mary Kim
ENSEMBLE
Simon Kowalski
ENSEMBLE
Luke Weber
ENSEMBLE
Ivy Bilbow
ENSEMBLE
Elizabeth Hall
ENSEMBLE
Hannah Ward
ENSEMBLE
Tenley Heugatter
ENSEMBLE
Patrick Bilbow
ENSEMBLE
Gabriel Putnam
ENSEMBLE
Finn Christopher Edwards
ENSEMBLE
