Sydney Spivey, Dory Hatchett and Madeline McClurg will represent Habersham in the new ballet version of Mary & Other Repertory Works at Brenau’s Pearce Auditorium March 20-22.
“What we are doing is a show called Mary which has been choreographed by a woman in the Atlanta area in another ballet company. It is about Mary Poppins but it is completely original choreography and is being done by all of my Company One dancers, the advanced dancers, all the way down to kids that are seven to eight years old,” says Gainesville Ballet Founding Artistic Director Diane Callahan. “Mary runs about sixty minutes and also includes seven other smaller repertory pieces which range between four and nine minutes long each. They are all different kinds of ballets and some are modern and some are jazz.”
Mary at the luxurious Pearce Auditorium includes forty to fifty dancers from six counties including Habersham performers McClurg, Hatchett and Spivey. “It’s kind of like a weird feeling to describe. You grow up here and then when you get in here it feels like home,” says Hatchett, recalling her years of experience rehearsing and performing in the venue. “You start when you are little and then as you get older you appreciate it more.”
The older dancers, currently training under Callahan, study five to six days a week for rehearsals and must dedicate much of their time to their craft. “I really like it because we make so many friends and just getting to dance with them is just so much fun. We have such a close bond and to be able to do that everyday is just a lot of fun,” says an enthusiastic Spivey.
Dancers of all ages endure certain challenges during their dance career but some things are essential, especially for a ballerina at the Gainesville Ballet Company. “You have to make sure you are staying hydrated. Since you’re dancing the entire day, you have to stay hydrated and eat healthily,” says McClurg.
A New ‘Poppins’
The Gainesville Ballet Company’s production of Mary has a rotating cast of young performers who will grace the stage with their portrayal of the legendary Julie Andrews’ character Mary Poppins. Among the girls who will split the title role are Caitlin Hardegree, Reagan Leimbach and Olivia Jones. The role of the chimney sweep Burt – portrayed in the film by the beloved American actor/comedian Dick Van Dyke – will be performed by the very talented Mo Stringer, who brings radiant athleticism to the role. The entire company is sure to amaze audience members with their energy and grace in this classic tale about the magical nanny that “dances” in to help save the Banks family from falling apart.
Audiences will be thrilled when they see the new Gainesville Ballet Company’s Mary based on the classic 1964 Walt Disney Film and Cameron Mackintosh Broadway musical, Mary Poppins. Original music and lyrics by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman such as “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” will be part of the spectacular production in addition to new tunes that were added for the original London cast production in 2004 by George Styles and Anthony Drewe. The film, musical and ballet were all inspired by the late author, P. L. Travers.
Show times and ticket information
Friday, March 20, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 21, 2 pm and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 22, 2 pm
Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium
Tickets: $12-26, $6 (Brenau faculty, staff, and students with valid ID).
For information, call 770-532-4241 or visit www.gainesvilleballet.org.
