Courtesy of the School District of Rhinelander

“Anything Can Happen if You Let it.”  That’s a lyric from the upcoming RHS/NCSS Drama Department production of Mary Poppins that the students are enthusiastically learning and rehearsing. The group is very excited to be able to have the rights to produce this musical and they have 28 actors and actresses, about 10 tech kids, a 15-person pit band, and eight adults working tirelessly to make it the best show they’ve ever done.

Students are singing, dancing, learning lines, building, painting, organizing costumes, sewing, and laughing a lot. The play is similar to the Disney movie, but with some interesting differences. One of the most exciting pieces of this production is the opportunity to see some characters fly. This may be a once in a lifetime moment for students in the cast, and maybe audience members too. In order to accomplish this feat, the group must hire a company to train them to operate rental equipment, set up, and oversee throughout the rehearsals and performances.

The cost of the apparatus is high–way outside the realm of the annual drama department budget. Because of the high cost, the student group is asking for assistance from the community in the form of a “Help Mary Fly” campaign. If you would like to lend your generosity to these amazingly talented students, there are three methods of doing so:

1) Make a donation in any amount to be applied to the total rental fee and you will be mentioned in the program as a donor.

2) Make a donation in any amount and keep your name anonymous.

3) If you make a large donation and would like to receive recognition/thanks in any other public way, the group is more than happy to accommodate that!

If you would like to make a donation, please contact Kristin Higgins by email athiggikri@rhinelander.k12.wi.us or by phone at 715-365-9500. Thank you, in advance, for your generosity and support and helping us “Let Anything Happen!” The RHS/NCSS Drama Department looks forward to performing Mary Poppins on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 19 through 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at Rhinelander High School.