Sing Hosanna! is putting the finishing touches on its fall production, “Mary Poppins,” which opens Nov. 13 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College.

The show is under the direction of Ralph Christy Jr. and will feature an ensemble with actors of all ages.

Well-known area actress Jordan Luntz, 18, of Saxonburg will be appearing in the title role.

The Knoch High School senior has performed in many productions and has been involved with Sing Hosanna! for years.

“Juggling school and rehearsals is a big challenge,” Luntz said.

“Mary Poppins is a nanny who arrives at the home of the Banks family after the children write a request for the type of nanny they would prefer,” she said.

“Mary seems to touch many people with her unconventional yet magnificent tactics and methods,” she said of her character.

Luntz said her favorite song in the musical is “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” because of its incredible energy.

“Most people know and love it! It is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. I definitely think it will be a show stopper,” Luntz said.

Her partner in crime, Bert, will be portrayed by Nathan Rockcastle of Butler Township.

“Bert is a fun-loving, free spirited sidekick to Mary Poppins. He supports her methods of teaching the Banks' children many important lessons,” Rockcastle said.

“He is also a bridge to the audience providing background on other characters on the stage and the flow of their lives,” he said.

Rockcastle is known for his energy on stage and that is what he hopes will make Bert come alive for the audience. Challenging choreography and maintaining an accent will keep Rockcastle on his toes.

“This show combines the best parts of the original Mary Poppins book with those of the Disney movie and presents many wonderful life lessons that we all can benefit from,” Rockcastle said.

Poppins employer, Mr. George Banks, will be played by Matt Nocera of Butler.

“He is the father of Jane and Michael, the children who Mary Poppins comes to care for. He is only concerned with working and money, which is his primary focus for most of the show,” said Nocera of his character.

Nocera brings his confidence to the role, something he's learned as he's been involved with numerous productions.

“George is a very confident character in the way he sings his songs and the way he carries himself. This is something that has been challenging for me in the past,” he said.

This will be his first time portraying a father and head of a household. “This high energy cast presents an old classic in a very modern but familiar way,” he said of the show.

Banks' wife, will be played by Carrie Persichini of Butler Township.

“Mrs. Banks is a woman struggling to find her identity as a wife and mother. Her husband pressures her to conform to the norms of their society and be a social hostess in order to mingle in polite society while nannies raise their children,” she said, noting the husband's goals don't match the wife's.

Persichini brings her real life, long-term experience as a wife and mother to the role.

The role of the Banks' son Michael is being played by 11-year-old Trey Hixon of Forward Township.

“Michael is a spoiled, rich little boy, and I can relate to him in that I am the same age and I have sisters,” said Trey, a sixth grade student at Evans City Middle School.

“I am in a lot of scenes so I constantly need to be aware of what is happening and it's a big time commitment,” Trey said of the demanding aspect of being in the show.

He said he is enjoying the opportunity and loves the fun dance numbers. “It's a family fun classic that people of all ages will enjoy,” Trey said.

Also starring are Madison Kohler as Jane Banks and Abbey Schandelmeier as Miss Andrew.

WHO: Sing Hosanna!WHAT: “Mary Poppins”WHEN: Nov. 13 to 15 at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. SundayWHERE: Succop Theater at Butler County Community CollegeTICKETS: $15, available at May’s Music ShoppeINFO: 724-287-8362