Quincy Community Theatre Needs Your Help to ‘Make Mary Fly’

'Mary Poppins' will be the 2015 summer musical at Quincy Community Theatre, and it is sure to be one of the highlights of this year's season. But a large-scale production like 'Mary Poppins' isn't easy, which is why QCT is asking for your help to "Make Mary Fly." 

Quincy Community Theatre's Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen recently told us that 'Mary Poppins' will be one of the most ambitious productions the theater has ever undertaken, "It is going to be the biggest show we've ever done. Bigger than ‘Les Miz.’ There are magical special effects, huge dance numbers and flying."

It's the flying that makes 'Mary Poppins' special. It's also what makes staging the show expensive. According to QCT, it will cost approximately $10,000 to rent the equipment from a professional theatrical flying company, install the flying system, and train all affected actors and crew members.

To help offset the enormous cost of the production, Quincy Community Theatre has launched a "Make Mary Fly" fundraising campaign. Donations can be made at the QCT Box Office in the Oakley-Lindsay Center. Limited edition t-shirts are also being sold online for $25 through March 15.  All donations and t-shirt funds will go towards the 'Mary Poppins' flying expenses.

“We owe it to our audiences to bring them the very best in live theater entertainment. They don’t need to travel to New York or St. Louis. We can provide riveting stories and spectacular stage productions right here in Quincy,” said Thomsen. “Those who saw the Broadway production of Mary Poppins surely remember the extra special magic effects done not only by Mary, but also by Bert the Chimney Sweep. We intend to do all the effects that were done on Broadway as a special treat for our audiences. We are committed to literally soar to new heights in 2015!”

The progress of the "Make Mary Fly" campaign will be displayed in the QCT lobby before performances. A miniature version of Mary Poppins will ascend the side of a painting of Big Ben - donated by Coni Triplett - as the campaign comes closer to its goal.