The Springville Community Theater is gearing up for its 40th year this summer — the classic musical Mary Poppins will be presented at the Springville Middle School on July 28, 29, and 30.

This production will be the Broadway version of Mary Poppins, which differs from the movie in several ways. As in the movie, the Bankses need Mary Poppins to nanny their children because they need to learn how to be a family. The stage adaptation builds on this, giving Winifred Banks a fuller storyline, George Banks a backstory, and the children a bit more room to grow from spoiled and bratty to kind and thoughtful. The stage musical clarifies the passage of time (fall to winter of a single year), so the audience

can better chart their change. Much of the beloved movie music appears in the show including “Spoonful of Sugar”, “Feed the Birds”, “Chim Chim Cher-ee” among others.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. in the Springville Middle School auditorium.

The play offers a wide variety of parts for actors of all ages, including a large chorus of townspeople. Those planning to audition should make sure their calendar is clear for rehearsals during June and July. No experience is necessary and actors do not need to bring prepared material. Everything needed will be provided or taught at the audition. English accents will be used for this show.

In addition to seeking actors, the Springville Community Theater welcomes people of all ages as builders, artists, musicians, props persons, sound/lighting technicians, publicity and box office. No experience is necessary to work in any capacity except musician.

The show will be directed by June Morgan Mack, with Beth Bolton as Assistant Director and Beverly Crumpton as Business Manager. Other crewmembers already on board include Milicent Yeager with costumes, Merle Dollar and Garry Burttram for art, Shalita Clark and Jessica Lloyd in charge of chorography Gayla Reynolds and Traci Owen with props, Caleb Davis handling set design, and Lori Hebson and Laura McKenzie in charge of publicity.

In addition to the usual fundraising for their shows, the group has set up a special fund for donations for the pricey flying effect, called The Help Mary Fly Fund.

For more information on donating or auditioning, visit springvillecommunitytheater.com or contact June Mack at (205) 552-3023, jmack@uab.edu.