A Spoon Full of Sugar for Sophie and Spencer: Mary Poppins 2015

One of the biggest adventures our family had this year was the 2015 fall musical, Mary Poppins, at the local high school, Madison HS. We had heard in the spring that they had chosen this musical but did not suspect it had huge import for our family.

A week before auditions for Jane and Michael, I had a text from Sophie and Spencer's second grade teacher, the amazing Juli Dennis, suggesting that they audition. They were the perfect ages for J and M, being 10 and 8, and both had already proven stage aptitude in her annual class play of Wizard of Oz (in which Sophie played a delightful Dorothy and two years later Spencer elevated the role of Green narrator to new comedic heights). So we coached them up to sing "the Perfect Nanny" duet from the movie for their audition and dolled them up for the audition.

When we got to the high school that day, Spencer was almost immediately turned off from the audition process because of all the other kids there (some of which were sporting some rather perky British accents!) We talked him into doing it for Sophie, which got him into the room. They sang their duet then ran some lines with Bert (David Adams) and Mary (Mary Poppins). Afterwards, we figured, they did their best but didn't have much of a chance. Then we went to Applebee's, proud that they had done a new thing anyway.

That night I was praying about it, that things would turn out for the best no matter what the "best" was, and I received a very strong, very beautiful feeling of peace and calm. I had no idea what it meant, but knew that whatever happened would be right for them. If they didn't get the parts, they could still be involved in the children's chorus and have a great experience. I was grateful that the Lord was in charge and knew what our family needed.

Then the next morning it was posted that they got the parts! We were exhilarated! Then terrified. This was a lot bigger than anything either of them have ever done! But remembering my feelings of the previous night, we went to the kids' schools to tell them ourselves then began to emotionally gird our loins for the very exciting 10 weeks to come!

 One of the best parts for both of them - getting fitted for costumes!

 Rehearsals got a little silly sometimes... like the time we realized David could do the splits???

They got to be on the Mary Poppins float for Homecoming, singing and flinging candy at thousands of enthused Rexburgians. Jacob Barnes as George, Shayla Babcock as Winifred, Sophie, David Adams as Bert, Maryn Tueller as Mary, and Spence the punk

 Thank heavens for David, Tyler, Jacob, Moy, Noah and the other boys who took Spencer under their collective wings and helped him stay focused (or entertained) during rehearsals!

 Dance practice with Jackie

 The kids were at the high school every day after school for 2-3 hours. They got TWO days off in the whole 10 weeks... but learned that that's just how it is when you have a big role!

 Staging with Mr. Hibbard

 Sophie's Birthday! They sang to her the most amazing way, them being Choir kids and all.

 Moy (Neleus), Sophie, Eliza Hibbard and "Spichael" eating Sophie's birthday cookies I brought for the cast.

 Halloween came and went during rehearsals - so they wore their Dorothy and Captain America costumes to practice!

 First time flying! They LOVED it!

 David, Spence, Soph and Anna - some of our favorite cast members who really helped the kids feel special.

 Rehearsing with the orchestra for the first time

 Dress Rehearsal!

Getting notes at the end of dress rehearsal

 The true Jane and Michael!

 The kids LOVE Jacob (Mr. Banks) - he is their special buddy. And aren't the costumes great?

 "Boring! Just like other nannies, thinking parks are good for us..."

 SuperCal

 Jacob and Anna (Mrs. Brill)

 Gary choreographed Step in Time and our cloggers provided the percussive excellence and excitement!

 Flying in costume

 Anything can happen if you let it!

"I love you, Mary Poppins!"

Rehearsals were great fun for Sophie, who obediently and joyfully sang, memorized lines, and learned dances. Spencer took some more convincing (since he had only tried out so Sophie could make it). In the end I had to bribe him with daily treats, a rip stik, and a new Captain America costume for Halloween to get him through the long and often tedious rehearsals. But in the end he was COMPLETELY won over and never complained about rehearsals or missing his friends!