Dozens of Washington High School students will bring a favorite childhood story to the stage next month when they present the musical “Mary Poppins.”

The show will open March 20 and will run through March 22. Three public performances will be offered, with a fourth staged specifically for Beaufort County Schools students, according to Penny Paul, stage director and WHS art teacher.

“The musical will be one of the largest and most ambitious productions performed by the students at Washington High School,” Paul said. “‘Mary Poppins’ might also be one of the most expensive, too, with all of the costumes, scenery and backdrops. Ticket sales are underway and the cast and crew are hoping for a sell out crowd for each performance.”

Tickets are $8 if purchased in advance and $10 at the box office just prior to each show, Paul noted. The musical will be presented to the public March 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at 2 p.m.

Based on a series of books by P.L. Travers, the musical is set in England in 1910 and follows the trials and tribulations of the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael Banks have already sent a series of nannies packing when the incomparable Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. She teaches the family how to value each other again, using a combination of common sense and magic. Although she’s a nanny whose primary responsibility is tending to the Banks children, Mary Poppins also shows adults that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

Playing the title role in the show will be Diani Teixeira. Other cast members include Conner Smith as Bert, Taylor Abele as Winifred Banks, Kendall Styers as George Banks, Sidney Harris as Jane Banks and Ben Crawford as Michael Banks.

Rounding out the cast are Kara Hall, Shazmay Williams, Mary Grace Wilder, Thomas Taylor, Amy Arnold, Ryan Alligood, John Chavez, Colston Lyons, Tyrrell Carter, Reiner Daw, Diamond Razor-Barrett, George Dominguez, Genevieve Belote, Erin Lewis, LaSheema Boone, Liz Theilan and Rachel Alligood. Ensemble players, including park strollers, customers, kite fliers and chimney sweeps, are members of Michael Blackmon’s choir class members. And joining the WHS performers in the role of Doll is Anna Everette, a student at John Small Elementary School.

Working behind the scenes with Paul is assistant director Andrew Jennings, music director Michael Blackmon and lights and sound director R. Travis Carter. Choreography for the show will be by Melissa Moore, Diani Teixeira, WHS students and East Carolina University dance department members. Other technical and support staff include: art design — Melissa Manning-Moore and Damon Walcott; student art design — Rachel Alligood and WHS art classes; set construction – Melissa Manning-Moore, Damon Walcott, Tom Ford, Ken Adams and Larry Edwards; poster, program and ticket art — Penny Paul; programs and advertising — Milton R. Dail; and backstage directors — Kortney Hardy and Alexis Murdock.

Anyone wishing to become a WHS musical patron may send a check, payable to WHS Spring Musical 2015, to Washington High School, 400 Slatestone Road, Washington, N.C. 27889. Patrons will be listed in the show’s program along with advertisements from local businesses.

For more information on purchasing tickets to the show, call 252-946-0858, extension 276.