Those who loved “Mary Poppins” the movie will be even more enamored by the sumptuous musical moving into the Kennedy Center Opera House until late August. Versatile performer Elizabeth Earley, who appeared here last season in “Ragtime,” is excited to be part of this spectacular theatrical experience produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh.
Upon auditioning in January to replace a swing, she was immediately flown to the tour in progress and has not stopped since. As a swing, she is part of the ensemble with multiple duties. Her task is to cover nine women in the ensemble, learn their parts and step in at a moment’s notice. She has already played eight of the roles.
“So much can happen,” she said. “One night I played two different roles and had to angle back and forth between them. It’s the job of the dance captain to be in command of everything going on and make certain to maintain the choreography and keep the look of the show as originally planned. When someone has to be out for whatever reason, the dance captain has to not only perform in it and know all the choreography, but also see that the missing members are replaced.”
If you go
‘Mary Poppins’
Where: Kennedy Center Opera House
When: July 1 to Aug. 22
Info: $25 to $135; 202-467-4600; kennedy-center.org
Earley’s background in all aspects of performing is extensive. She began dancing lessons as a child in her hometown of West Chester, Pa., where she also studied Italian music and opera with voice teacher Cal Brackin until entering New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to study drama. There she spent the first two years specializing in musical theater, the third in experimental studies and the fourth in classical studies, including Shakespeare. One of her favorite dance experiences along the way was attending the school for the Washington Ballet. Earley’s goal to be as well-rounded as possible to increase her employability has resulted in many opportunities. She performed, choreographed, directed cabarets and served as dance captain at several summer playhouses. In 2004, she was lead singer, dancer and manager on Holland America Line cruise ships sailing to the Athens Summer Olympics.
She played Luisa in “The Fantasticks” and Tiger Lily in “Peter Pan,” appeared in the Las Vegas and Baltimore productions of “Beauty and the Beast,” and was dance captain for “The Music Man” and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s U.S. premiere of “Whistle Down the Wind.” After performing in “Ragtime,” she received rave reviews as Cassie in “A Chorus Line,” a role that earned her a Best Actress of the Season nomination for a 2010 Salt Award (Syracuse Area Live Theater). She said she loves that role and would be overjoyed to repeat it sometime in the future.
When she is not performing, Earley teaches ballet, point, jazz, tap, ballroom and Irish step dancing and currently has the pleasure of seeing one of her students in the cast of “Billy Elliot” on Broadway. She even spends spare time on the road teaching cast members.
“I love working with others, especially children, and passing my knowledge on to them,” she said. “My mother was a teacher, and even though neither of my parents would feel comfortable doing what I do, they encouraged me and been supportive from a young age.
” ‘Mary Poppins’ is a perfect show for children and for all ages. After the show, I often stand in the audience and see the faces of fathers who probably were dragged there. They are all smiles. At this time in history when there is growing emphasis on the family, this show is especially relevant and offers a spiritual transformation.”
