LEADING UP TO THE close of another school year, high school students brought a beloved Disney movie to life with fantastical dances, clap-along songs, professional-level singing and, of course, a spoonful of sugar.
DANCERS PERFORM ON THE TRINITAS STAGE DURING A PERFORMANCE OF “MARY POPPINS.” PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Rosary Academy and Servite High School’s award-winning Trinitas Arts Conservatory presented its final show of the year, “Mary Poppins,” with its closing night on May 9 in the Servite High School theater in Anaheim. Trinitas’ performance garnered 11 John Raitt Awards for Youth (JRAY) high school musical theater award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor in a female role for Rosary senior Samantha DiCrisi, 18, who plays Mary Poppins.
“I hope the audience feels inspired to imagine and to enjoy life to its fullest,” said DiCrisi. “I hope that people feel drawn to loving the people in their life, and to knowing that anything can happen if you let it.”
The Broadway musical follows the troubled Banks family as governess Mary Poppins joins parents George Banks (Michael Ghebrial) and Winifred Banks (Molly Betance) and takes siblings Jane (MaryJane Simmons) and Michael (Bella Ambata) on magical adventures with Bert (played by Joseph Doornek and Robbie Muñoz on different nights) that teach the family to cherish each other. Trinitas Executive Director Michael Betts said he loves watching the students’ growth “from the exact moment that Sami DiCrisi found her version Mary Poppins, to the night that Ryan Pelonis as Robertson Ay defeated his nerves and got a huge round of applause in the lead-up to ‘A Spoonful of Sugar,’ to our stalwart ensemble members like Apia Sims and Abby Rauterkus who give full-fledged performances every moment they’re on stage. As a director I know exactly what I’m getting, and we get to shape and play a lot in rehearsals because of this.”
For Servite senior Ghebrial, 17, playing the role of George Banks has been one of the biggest theater challenges due to his character’s arc.
“I start from being a very angry character, full of hatred and who isn’t able to see the others for who they are,” Ghebrial said. “Throughout the show, my character learns to love his family … the way this show is written, there’s so many allegories and pieces of symbolism that are so meaningful to the story.”
Servite senior Connor Pelonis, 18, who served as production stage manager, said the show presented its own challenges behind the scenes. Pelonis made sure everything ran smoothly backstage, from the sound and lighting cues to handling any problems that arose.
“Mary Poppins” featured a larger production with larger moving set pieces than is typical, he noted.
A former actor, Pelonis said he found his calling helping others shine onstage. Although this was his final Trinitas production, he isn’t done with theater.
“I really want to make sure that theater stays a part of my life, because I really love theater,” he said. “It’s what drives me. In high school, it’s what kept me going and all these people that I’ve met. It’s very important to me.”
DiCrisi isn’t done with theater, either. She’s been accepted in Syracuse University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts Musical theater program this fall.
“As long as I’m part of the theater community in some way for the rest of my life,” she said, “I’m happy.”