Tauranga Musical Theatre Production of Mary Poppins Sara Toomer (left) Fraser Graham and Melissa Nicholson. Photo/Andrew Warner
Tauranga Musical Theatre Production of Mary Poppins Sara Toomer (left) Fraser Graham and Melissa Nicholson. Photo/Andrew Warner
When the role of Mary Poppins popped up for audition at Tauranga Musical Theatre, there was no way Sara Toomer could pass on the opportunity.
The musical-fantasy was one of her mother's favourite musicals. Sadly, Sara's mother died three years ago.
But mother and daughter were able to spend qualitytime together before she passed away ... Sara took her mum to see the Mary Poppins production at Auckland Civic Theatre.
"She absolutely loved it. I just know she would have loved seeing me in that role."
The singer/director/technical multi-talent also knew it would be a role she was capable of, as it suited her vocal range.
The infectiously optimistic Mary Poppins character is just a joy to play, Sara says, and its musical score is more challenging that she initially thought.
"When you watch the movie the songs sound quite simple, when you go to sing them they are not."
Sara and her castmates are currently rehearsing and perfecting the timeless classic on an empty stage at the 17th Ave theatre, preparing to work on the elaborate Mary Poppins set which will be put together a week before opening night on Saturday, September 23 at Baycourt. The set is nearly half a million dollars and weighs over a tonne.
Sara, who works in IT at Tauranga City Council, has been involved with TMT since she left school. She caught the acting bug as part of the cast in Tauranga Girls' College and Tauranga Boys' College combined production of Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat.
At the tender age of 19, she took on her first directing gig with That's Entertainment.
Eliza Ward, Jacob West, Hugo Corin, Reiss Jenkinson and Jade Newton who are in Tauranga Musical Theatre's production of Mary Poppins
"I didn't have the experience or maturity at the time to be able to deal with the 'people' management element, so it wasn't the best experience for me. I swore I would never direct again," she says.
But she did. Six years ago a show fell through and Sara was tasked with creating a show in one month. The result was Rock Revival - created, choreographed and directed by Sara - its success meant a second Rock Revival (volume two) the following year.
"I am a real rock musical fan, they're so fun and it makes sense for me to as a singer. I don't star in them because I can't sing rock."
Then there was Rock of Ages. Sara has been nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Set Design awards for the 2016/2017 Zony Awards. The awards night is in October.
Sara has starred in more than 15 productions with leading roles in Chicago, Fang, and now Mary Poppins. She has learnt every aspect of theatre - acting, directing, marketing and even technical. She and husband Logan own Total Entertainment Solutionz, an event entertainment company.
Sara comes up blank when first asked if she prefers acting or directing. "Both things give you something quite different, they are both quite rewarding ... the buzz that you get when you watch a play that you have directed and the journey you have put the actors on, but there's also something really special about being on stage."
Sara Toomer as Mary Poppins. Photo/Andrew Warner
the details What: Tauranga Musical Theatre production Mary Poppins Where: Baycourt When: Opening night on Saturday, September 23. Season runs until October 7 Tickets:www.ticketek.co.nz
