There's still a few more chances to catch 12-year-old 91原创 actor Emma Fursevich in her debut role 鈥� along with several other 91原创 thespians on stage 鈥� in the beloved musical, Mary Poppins.

91原创's Theatre in the Country is wrapping up this latest production on Saturday, Dec. 14.

It's based on the classic Disney film and the original P.L. Travers' stories, "Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical," which brings the 鈥減ractically perfect鈥� nanny to life in a whole new way.

"I love the story of Mary Poppins," said Emma.

With a score featuring iconic songs like "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Chim Chim Cher-ee", and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", she feels this production is brimming with the charm, whimsy, and heart that have made Mary Poppins a favourite for generations.

"If you want a fun way to spend your evening then this is the exact place where you should go. It will make you laugh, sing, cry, and dance. Plus, you get a meal along with it," said Emma, a Grade 8 student from Walnut Grove Secondary, who has been dabbling in musical theatre for the past six years but made her community theatre debut in this production.

"This is my first time in community theatre," she said, explaining how she's wanted to be a part of a bigger production and just decided to audition for this show to gain some experience.

"Honestly, I did not think I was going to get the part. When I found out that I had got the role, it was such a shock. I was confident that one of the other girls was going to be cast," Emma said.

The cast and crew has been rehearsing three days a week since early September to prep for the show, which opened Nov. 28.

Emma's playing the role of Jane Banks.

"I play the sassy, mischievous, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. This role is such a fun role to play, and I love doing all the silly and playful scenes with Micheal," Emma said of her young co-star Hannah Durnin, who plays the role of her little brother.

Admittedly there are some similarities between Emma and her character of Jane.

"Jane and I are both silly girls that love to have fun, and are always asking questions and being curious," she said, noting that bringing those characteristics to life on stage are not so difficult for her, but an English accent has proven a challenge.

"I love that feeling on stage when you're performing, probably only other actors will get this. It feels like a different kind of happiness. I also love that feeling when the show starts to come together and we start doing runs," Emma shared.

Noting there aren't many kids roles to be had in community theatre productions, she has absolutely loved working on this show.

"This show has been so much fun. Whenever it was a night where we didn't have rehearsals, it was always so disappointing. Everyone in the cast is so talented and friendly, and I have made a lot of friends along the way. It's going to be so hard once the show's finished."

Reg Parks, artistic director for Theatre in the Country, said there are a record amount of 91原创 residents involved on stage for this show.

Other 91原创 residents involved with the last show of 2024 include Patrick Arnott as Bert, Kate Bear as Winifred Banks, Mark Braun as George Banks, Rob Burns as Poseidon and other roles, Miranda Croft as Katie Nanna and other roles, Genevieve Dougan as Teddy Bear and other roles, Tim Hawryluk as Male Swing, and Kaitlyn Zarin as Neleus.

Directed by Dann Wilhelm, with choreography by Stef Delisimunovic  and musical direction by Tamara Croft, this production has been crafted with care to bring out the magic in every scene, Parks noted. Audiences can look forward to "stunning set designs, vibrant costumes, and theatrical effects" that will make Mary Poppins鈥� flights over the rooftops of London and the chalk-drawn streets of imagination come to life.

"This production is a labour of love, and we can鈥檛 wait to share its joy and magic with our community," he noted.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased through the Theatre in the Country website at theatreinthecountry.com or at the box office.

Next up, Theatre in the Country presents "The Da Vinci Code" starting at the end of January.