BY CARY GINELL
Today, another mini-interview with a cast member from Cabrillo Music Theatre’s forthcoming production of Mary Poppins, this time with Courtney Potter, who has been seen on a number of stages in Ventura County, most notably the Conejo Players Theatre.
VCOS: Courtney, you’ve done a lot of shows here in Ventura County. Is Mary Poppins the kind of show where you would be willing to do any part, play any role, no matter how small, just to be in it?
COURTNEY: Yes! When I heard they were doing it, I remembered seeing it on Broadway, and it was so cool, and the way that it was different from the movie was really interesting in how they pulled in so many more stories from the books. The songs were great and the production value was amazing and I knew that when Cabrillo was going to be doing it, that they would try to put just as much production value in it, and from everything that we’ve heard – and right now, we’re still early in the rehearsal process, we haven’t seen all the costumes and everything – it’s going to be up there with what I saw on Broadway. So when I heard they were doing it, I thought that I HAVE to be involved. And luckily enough, I am, and I’m super thrilled about it. Working with this company is already amazing, and this kind of a show is just taking it to another level.
VCOS: Did you audition specifically for any role?
COURTNEY: I really auditioned for any of the female roles outside of Mary. One of the reasons I didn’t put down Mary is that actually, I’m afraid of heights (laughs). And that’s the one thing that scared me about that role. I don’t think it’s happening here because the Kavli is so huge, but on Broadway, they actually flew Mary in from the house onto the stage, and it was AMAZING. But I could never do that! I’m too afraid of heights. But I put down any and all female roles, from Winnifred down to ensemble, and I got called back for a bunch of the little featured women’s roles and I wound up with one, Katie Nanna, and I get to open the show with a bang. The kids stomp on my foot and I have to run after them. But that’s OK with me; I just wanted to be involved, no matter what.
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Mary Poppins runs from April 17 – 26 at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks. For dates, showtimes, and directions to the theater, consult the VC On Stage Calendar.
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