The third show of the 2015/2016 season, Mary Poppins, opens at the North Platte Community Playhouse on February 19, 2016.

Everyone’s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” musical adventure directed by Scott Carlson & John Hales. The jack-of-all-trades, Bert, introduces us to 1910 England and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane & Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic, common sense and many memorable adventures, Mary Poppins teaches the family how to value each other again.

Performances are February 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28.  Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00 p.m. with Sunday matinees beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket sales begin Monday, February 15, and can be purchased at the NPCP Box Office Monday-Friday Noon-5:00 p.m., online at www.northplattecommunityplayhouse.com or at the door prior to each performance.  Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children and students.  Special pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.

The community can get involved in the production by sponsoring a character.  The cost to sponsor a character is $100, and the sponsor’s name will appear in the program with the actor’s bio.  This will help offset some of the expenses created with the elaborate costuming of this show.  Interested persons can contact the NPCP at 308-532-5889 for more information.

This production is made possible by the financial support of Nebraskaland National Bank, The Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment for the Arts.

The Cast

Bert-Adam Odle

George Banks-Scott Odle

Winifred Banks-Traci Sawyer

Jane Banks-Madeline Daup

Michael Banks-Jennings Greenfield

Katie Nanna-Val Hiser

Policeman-Seth Vapenik

Miss Lark-Shelly Deardoff

Admiral Boom-Roy Lawton

Mrs. Brill-Bea Webster

Robertson Ay-Matt Pederson

Mary Poppins-Mari Gesinski

Park Keeper-Darrell Drullinger

Neleus-Tanner Hood

Queen Victoria-Tia San Miguel

Bank Chairman-Roy Lawton

Miss Smythe-Kayla Turner

Von Hussler-Tyler Cronin

John Northbrook-Justin Morgan

Bird Woman-Anne Schmit

Mrs. Corry-Lou Cox-Fornander

Fannie-Ashley Aloi

Annie-Starla Arensdorf

Valentine-Daniel Wardyn

Teddy Bear-Justin Morgan

Mr. Punch-Morris Turner

Doll-Lindsey Mikkelsen

Miss Andrew-Tiffany Wood

Ensemble: Thomas Bartling, Phillip Ryan, John Petit, Lisa Hodgen, Toni Guthrie, Bailey Hiser, Shandell Sims, Becki Wardyn

Childrens Ensemble: Riley Aloi, Ashlyn Carlson, Kaylee Carlson, Evan Fidler, Rachel Fidler, Ellie Gaedke, Aspen Golter, Henry Smith, Dakota Guthrie, Ella Harmon, Emily Kammerer, Sam Mackley, Olivia Phillips, Ally Pierce, Story Rasby, Shaydyn Rasby, Taylor Rossell, Jessie Rudolph, Hallie Sexson, Alexandra Thompson, Rei Wood, Rachel Young, Nic Zurn

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska judges whose hands are tied by mandatory minimum sentences could have a way to overcome the restriction under a bill presented to a legislative committee.

Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus said Wednesday that his bill would create an “escape valve” in cases where a judge views a mandatory minimum as inappropriate.

The measure would allow the sentencing judge and two other judges to review the case.

Together, the three judges would determine whether to impose the mandatory minimum. If two or more view the sentence as inappropriate, the mandatory minimum would not be imposed.

The bill would create similar procedures for judges who believe a defendant should be classified as a “habitual criminal,” which carries stiffer penalties.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — The state’s tourism commission has selected two sites in western Nebraska to benefit from a new volunteer program.

The commission’s selection committee chose the Robidoux Trading Post near Gering and the Cowboy Trail near Chadron as the inaugural sites for the program, which will help maintain or improve sites that are popular with visitors.

Volunteers will help restore the historic trading post on May 6 and 7 by removing the chinking, an old form of weather-stripping material stuck between wooden boards to help keep structures watertight. They’ll replace it with a longer-lasting material.

On June 10 and 11, volunteers will clear old railroad ties on the Cowboy Trail, build simple bridges and do other tasks to prepare the first five miles east of Chadron for further development.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Passengers in getaway cars could have a tougher time collecting legal damages if they are injured during a police chase under a bill advanced by Nebraska lawmakers.

Senators gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday with a 34-6 vote after supporters overcame a filibuster.

The measure would clarify who qualifies as an “innocent third party” during a police chase.

Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse says he introduced the bill in response to a 2012 Nebraska Supreme Court case involving a man who was paralyzed during a police chase.

The passenger, Brian Werner, sued Platte County and was eventually awarded $1 million in damages even though he had been drinking in the car and was found with methamphetamine and drug pipes in his pockets.