Editor’s note: As of noon on Friday, Aug. 28, all three shows of Mary Poppins Jr. are sold out. Standby tickets will be available at the theater via a wait list but you must be at the theater to be added to the list. Be present at the theater up to one hour prior to the show. Please go to will call when you arrive; people will be seated off the wait list in the order they were placed on the list and must be present in the lobby near the start of the show.
The Penguin Project is presenting a long-time favorite Aug. 28-30, Mary Poppins Jr.
Through the Champaign Urbana Theatre Company, a nationwide initiative comes to life once again this weekend in Champaign-Urbana as the Penguin Project presents Mary Poppins Jr.
The Penguin Project annually presents a theatrical production in Champaign-Urbana at the end of the summer that lifts up its actors and challenges expectations with an inclusive experience from start to finish. Artists (ages 10-23) are paired with mentors (ages 11-24) who volunteer to stand side-by-side with artists for the duration of the 14 weeks of rehearsals and the production itself.
While every year brings some fresh excitement to the stage, this year has more cast members than ever with 80 young people ready to perform. Also, for the very first time, the show will be presented on the stage of the Harold and Jean Miner Theatre at Parkland College.
“It is truly amazing to see all their hard work taking place on this fantastic stage,” show producer Nicole Morgan said. “The staff is just so proud of all of them. I can’t wait for the CU area to get the same goosebumps as I did last night (at rehearsal).”
About Penguin Project
The Penguin Project was founded to bring together medicine and musical theater. There are chapters all over the country, including Champaign-Urbana. All of the roles in a Penguin Project production are filled with young people with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, ADD/ADHD, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and other neurological disorders. Each artist is paired with a mentor, who volunteers to work side-by-side with the artist in the months leading up to the show and on stage during productions.
If you have never experienced a Penguin Project show firsthand, you are in for a heartwarming journey. Fair warning — these shows are full of so much joy they are known to bring audiences both to tears and to their feet for a standing ovation.
The organization calls itself Penguin Project because penguins, birds who cannot fly but thrive with determination and support, largely reflect the wonderful partnerships between artists and mentors.
Show details
Catch Mary Poppins Jr. this weekend at Parkland College at the following times:
- Friday, Aug. 28 – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 29 – 3 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 30 – 3 p.m.
Buy your tickets now, as this show is expected to sell out. Click here to purchase your tickets to see Mary Poppins Jr.
Editor’s note: As of noon on Friday, Aug. 28, all three shows of Mary Poppins Jr. are sold out. Standby tickets will be available at the theater via a wait list but you must be at the theater to be added to the list. Be present at the theater up to one hour prior to the show. Please go to will call when you arrive; people will be seated off the wait list in the order they were placed on the list and must be present in the lobby near the start of the show.
See you at the show!
