Submitted photo Madalynn Ferguson (Mary Poppins) and Ellyse Goddard (Jane Banks) performed “A Spoonful of Sugar” from ‘Mary Poppins’ for the Rotary Club of Elkins.

ELKINS — Old Brick Playhouse Executive Director Missy McCollam, along with Old Brick Apprentices Madalynn Ferguson and Ellyse Goddard, visited the Rotary Club of Elkins to update the group on the upcoming production of “Mary Poppins.”

Ferguson will be portraying Mary Poppins and Goddard holds the role of Jane Banks.

The Old Brick Playhouse Apprentices will present the show Dec. 12-15 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the OBP website, www.theoldbrickplayhouse.org or by calling 304-637-9090.

“Mary Poppins” is based on a series of books by P.L. Travers. The books were adapted by Walt Disney into a musical film in 1964 and then, in 2004, the books were adapted to a stage musical.

“The idea of it was a transition between the Victorian age and the Edwardian age in England,” McCollam said. “The Victorians thought everyone had to be proper and the appearance of propriety was the most important thing. The Edwardians said, ‘Wow — we’re a bunch of stuffed shirts, we’ve got to fix this.’ So, Mary Poppins was the symbol of doing things a different way. It seems like a fluffy show but really it’s not, it’s very indicative of what we need to do – be more fun.”

Ferguson is the daughter of Teresa and Hoy Ferguson and is a senior at Elkins High School. In addition to participating in the OBP Apprentice program since she was 5 years old, Ferguson is a member of the West Virginia Highland Dancers and is a certified Highland Dance instructor.

Ferguson also created “The Little Dress Drive” this fall to collect and distribute gently used homecoming dresses to fellow students. The project will continue through this coming spring’s prom.

Goddard is the daughter of Amy Goddard and Scott Goddard and is a senior at Elkins High School. In addition to being an Apprentice since she was 7 years old, Goddard is a member of the Elkins High School band, the West Virginia Highland Dancers and National Honor Society. She also works with the after-school program at the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church.

This year’s Apprentice group consists of 64 students in grades six through twelve, all of whom are involved in this production. The program has more than 6,000 alumni.

“The program is a mentor-based program where the older students basically whip the younger students into shape. It’s nice to have older students who are mentors,” said McCollam. “Lots of them come back and work for us and lots of them donate scholarships. It’s a program that really has tied us to young people in our area.”

The Old Brick Playhouse has been a part of the Elkins art scene since 1992. McCollam gives credit to Caroline Carpenter, then granting officer of the Benedum Foundation, with providing her with invaluable guidance in creating and growing the Playhouse.

“She met me in Hardee’s and sat with me for two hours teaching me how to run a non-profit. She taught me everything from how to put your board together and how to do your budget. She asked me if I wanted to apply for grants. She told me all of those things,” said McCollam.

More information about the Old Brick Playhouse, including production dates, information about the Apprentice Program and the summer Kids Camp, can be found at the organization’s website, www.theoldbrickplayhouse.org.

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page — Rotary Club of Elkins — or contact club president Tammie Rizzio at tammierizzio@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.