Jane and Michael Banks have a reputation. The mischievous siblings are nanny crushers. Much to their mother’s dismay, the pint-size troublemakers have run off six nannies in just four months.

The classic musical Mary Poppins opens with the family in a familiar dilemma – searching for a new nanny. While their father seeks nanny candidates who will impose discipline and order, the pair want games, songs, and treats.

In an era over 100 years before social media, Jane and Michael craft a want ad for their perfect nanny, which their father rejects, tossing the ad into the fireplace. Luckily for the Banks children, the ad is magically snatched by Mary Poppins, who appears at their front door moments later.

Once Mary becomes the children’s nanny, she and her friend, Bert, embark on a series of fantastical adventures with the children, who try to pass on some of their nanny's sunny attitude to their preoccupied parents.

The Theatre Company’s production of Mary Poppins stars nearly 70 Tulare County students, including the following in major roles.

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS
Mary Poppins - Ruthie Espinoza, graduate, Homeschool 
Bert - Matthew Cole, 10th grade, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Jane Banks - Zoe Galvan, 7th grade, Ridgeview Middle School
Michael Banks - Charlie Ray, 5th grade, Oak Grove Elementary School
George Banks - Zion Sears, graduate, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Winifred Banks - Allison Plumlee, 11th grade, Harmony Magnet Academy
Mrs. Brill - Emma Grenier, 9th grade, Immanuel High School
Robertson Ay - Dean Johnson, graduate, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Miss Andrew - Leah Hansen, 11th grade, Immanuel High School
Bird Woman - Genevieve Brown, graduate, Maeser Academy
Mrs. Corry - Katy Robles, graduate, Redwood High School
Neleus - Leo Paez, 11th grade, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Valentine - Declan Hilscher, graduate, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Miss Lark - Amelia Ledgerwood, 10th grade, Homeschool
Admiral Boom - Eli Peters, 10th grade, Redwood High School
Northbrook - Cannon Hansen, 9th grade, Immanuel High School
Von Hussler - Dumisani Mason, 11th grade, University Preparatory High School
Bank Chairman - Joseph Da Rosa, graduate, University Preparatory High School
Park Keeper - Lincoln Graves, 11th grade, University Preparatory High School 
Annie - Ellie Berra, 10th grade, Porterville High School
Fannie - Elyse Johnson, 10th grade, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center

The cast will perform the musical seven times July 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26 at the L.J. Williams Theater in Visalia. Evening shows will begin at 7:00 p.m. Matinees will be held Saturday July 19 and July 26 at 1:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit www.tcoe.org/TheatreCo/Tickets.

Photos above:

~ Michael and Jane Banks present their ad for the perfect nanny to their parents in a scene from the musical Mary Poppins. Michael is played by Charlie Ray, with Jane played by Zoe Galvan. Mrs. and Mrs. Banks are played by Zion Sears and Allison Plumlee, respectively.

~ Once Mary Poppins inserts herself into the Banks home, she leads the children on wonderful adventures. Mary is played by Ruthie Espinoza. 

Beginning July 30, TCOE’s New Teacher & Leadership Development (NTLD) will hold multiple virtual information meetings for the IMPACT Intern Program.

NTLD’s IMPACT Intern Program partners with local school districts to recruit and train teacher candidates. Districts employ interns as teachers-of-record while IMPACT delivers the teacher preparation coursework. Throughout the two-year program, interns are supported by program-assigned practicum supervisors and district on-site mentors.

Free virtual information meetings about the IMPACT Intern Program will be held monthly throughout the year. The meetings are from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. To register, and for more information about IMPACT, visit tcoe.org/NTLD/IMPACT or contact Gabbi Barnes at IMPACT.info@tcoe.org.

NTLD is approved and accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and offers a range of programs which provide credential pathways for aspiring teachers and administrators. For more information about NTLD, visit tcoe.org/NTLD.

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Jaime Burnitzki, Bethany Rader, Vang Thao

To receive the News Gallery Week, sign up here, or contact Jennifer Fisher at jenniferf@tcoe.org or (559) 733-6172.