Chemeketa Community College’s summer musical takes flight with fresh vision, family focus, and a message for a modern world.
Grab your blankets, gather the family, and settle in for Theatre Under the Stars with Chemeketa Community College’s production of Mary Poppins.
Following the community’s enthusiastic response to Oliver! in 2024, director Stephen Munshaw knew he wanted another big show—but with a different kind of soul.
“I really wanted a kid-centric, popular event that would speak to all audiences,” Stephen said. “Something that tapped into the spirit of being outdoors together, under the stars, as a family.”
But don’t expect a carbon copy of the Broadway production. This Mary Poppins isn’t here to replicate spectacle—it’s here to rediscover the story.
A New Look at a Classic Tale
Inspired by a recent trip to New York, where he saw 10 shows in seven days, Stephen was particularly struck by a scaled-down reworking of Sunset Boulevard. It proved to him that spectacle isn’t everything.
“They stripped it back,” he said, “and it was still everything I wanted in a musical. It got to the essence of the story.”
That’s Stephen’s vision for Mary Poppins. Instead of Edwardian London, audiences will meet a modern upper-class British family, with kids glued to their phones, dressed in Gucci and Prada. It’s a setting that reflects today’s distracted households, until Mary arrives, umbrella in hand, to shake things up with her signature charm and quiet wisdom.
A Cast of Community and Collaboration
The cast features 30 performers from across the Willamette Valley. About 60% are community members, joined by Chemeketa students and staff, creating a vibrant mix of emerging talent and seasoned performers with diverse experiences to share.
And of course, there’s room for a little fun—watch for Wilaby the Dog, played by a local pup aptly named Prince Charming.
The production also reunites Stephen with powerhouse creative team Christopher Dean on choreography and Chris Mead on music direction. A full live orchestra will bring the music to life.
But the production’s magic doesn’t stop on stage. Behind the scenes, students are gaining real-world experience by working alongside theater professionals. “They’re learning what it takes to run a show,” Stephen said, “from tech and stagecraft to performance and direction. It’s preparing them with much-needed career qualities: leadership, collaboration, and teaching.”
A Night Out with a Touch of Magic
More than just a musical, this show is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect. With a fresh take, a powerful message, and a timeless score. Mary Poppins offers something rare and meaningful in our fast-paced world: time well spent with those we love.
The show takes flight 7:30 p.m. July 29, 30, 31 and August 5, 6, 7 at the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater at Riverfront Park. Audience members are invited to bring low-profile lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic fare (no alcohol). Reserved tables and VIP seating are available, along with food trucks, beer, and wine to complete the experience. Click here for tickets.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 24 ( Summer 2025)
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