Mary Poppins was an absolutely magical show! Through this show I learned so much, made a new family, and grew even more in my musical theatre journey. This crazy adventure started at the beginning of the summer when I auditioned and got the lead in my school play, “Wiley and the Hairy Man”. Soon after that, I found out that I had gotten cast as Jane. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to handle doing both at the same time… but after a few negotiations, I altered my entire high school schedule, ironed out every conflict and I wouldn’t take no for an answer. So that is how I started my school year: waking up at 6 am for school, staying until 4:45 for “Wiley” rehearsal, eating dinner in the car and immediately driving up to Charlotte for a 5:30 “Mary” rehearsal. Rehearsals ended at 10:00 pm… and being so far away from the city meant that I would usually get to bed around 11:30 to go to sleep and start all over again. What was really interesting was that both shows were in two foreign accents that I started learning at the same time! For “Wiley and the Hairy Man”, I was required to learn a deep south or “Bayou” accent, and of course, I had to learn a British accent for the role of Jane. This was a big challenge, considering the task of mastering the two accents, memorizing the two sets of lines for both characters, and just trying to be completely focused on two completely different characters. Mary Poppins turned out to be such a great experience; I learned so many new things! The role of Jane was double cast, which was a first for me. I had to carefully watch the blocking when it was given to the other actor and was expected to recreate it. The biggest struggle I had with double casting was that I was constantly comparing myself to the other actor. I learned the importance of having confidence in yourself and your choices. Once I realized that it was okay that I play the character of Jane differently than the other actor, I really blossomed and connected to the character. Not only was the show double casted, it was also “Blind” casted. Our show was very special because the actor who played Mary Poppins was black. She did a phenomenal job and I am so glad I got to work with such an amazing influence. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of a show that changed the lives of many people in the community. Another first that came along with Mary Poppins was getting interviewed. At first I was a little nervous, but I was super excited to help promote the show. The Charlotte Observer interviewed me and I was featured
—- “It’s such a big show, and there’s so much magic that goes on,” said Haley Vogel, who plays Jane. “There’s another little girl (Lydia Farr) who plays Jane as well, and we’re trading off. You have to be aware of what changes are made.”—-
I also got my first review!
—- “Somehow, director Michael J. Bobbitt gets a Charlotte cast that is stronger than the national tour that blew through here in 2010. Getting their equals from the local talent pool of children, 15-year-old Haley Vogel as Jane and 12-year-old Alex Kim as Michael, not only underscores Bobbitt’s discernment and directing skills, it also reaffirms what we’ve come to expect at Children’s Theatre: the ability to attract, excite, and mentor the best young theatre talent in town. Bratty and lovable is a tough balance to sustain, but Vogel and Kim have just the right energy and verve, with a grasp of their character arcs and an appreciation of how the Banks kids might be helping their dad to get his head straight. Like the original Broadway cast and the national tour, Vogel and Kim share their roles with alternates.”—-
Overall, I am so proud that I got to be a part of such a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious show.