Illusions may shatter, but memories stay… important lessons learned are all along the way! No strangers to Poppins, they’re giving their thanks! It’s Jim Gross and Suzi Eldridge— playing Mr. and Mrs. Banks! In a tale of what almost was once upon a time, these two area actors finally get to play opposite one another— this time for St. Demetrios’ Suburban Players— as the matriarch and patriarch of the Banks’ family in Mary Poppins. We sit down to have an in-depth chat with the pair of them about this production (and their almost-productions) on the ‘path of Poppins.’

Thank you both so much for giving us some of your time! I’m quite glad you’re both finally together performing this show as intended! I’m excited to see you both here; and you’re playing the parents in this one?

Suzi Eldridge: Yes. I’m playing Mrs. Banks. Winifred.

Jim Gross: I’m playing Mr. George Banks.

Aha! The Banks’! How very excellent. What was the driving factor to bring you both out here? What made you want to come out to do Mary Poppins?

Suzi: Well, I have always wanted to do Mary Poppins. It started in 2015 with September Song. I’ve always loved Mary Poppins and have always wanted to be a part of it. I auditioned for September Song. I got the part of Winifred for that production but my mother was very ill with Alzheimer’s at that time, so unfortunately, I had to drop the part, and I had to drop out of the show to take care of her. So that was my first ‘almost’ with this show. Then GAP (Glyndon Area Players) did Poppins in 2019, right before the pandemic, so I auditioned and I got the role again! It was amazing. It was the last show I was a part of before the pandemic. I loved it and it was so much fun.

So for this production here at Suburban, I was going out for the role of Mary Poppins herself, but my dear friend Katie (Katie Sheldon, who has played Mary Poppins in all three area productions, first at September Song in 2015, then at GAP in 2019, and now at Suburban in 2023) has once again flown into the role. Katie and I have this running gag where we know we’re both going to auditions and she’ll be Mary and I’ll be Winifred. Every four years or so! And of course, I worked with Lauren (Director Lauren Spencer-Harris) last year here with Sister Act, where I got to play Reverend Mother. And I just loved working with her and with the company as a whole. So whatever it was they were doing, I was ready to jump right in.

That’s excellent. So Suzi this marks your second time with Poppins. And Jim— I think it’s your second time as well?

Jim: Yes. I was Mr. Banks— I was supposed to be Suzi’s Mr. Banks back in 2015 but as she mentioned, she had to drop. So when I heard they were doing it here, and that both she and Katie were auditioning, I figured I had to try one more time. We had to make it happen— the three of us like it was supposed to be back in 2015.

Suzi: Fulfilling a destiny!

Jim: But like Suzi, I’ve always loved Poppins. Dick Van Dyke was a hero of mine growing up, he was a hero of my dad’s too. I’m pretty sure they took me to see a re-release of Mary Poppins in a theatre at some point when I was little. So honestly, getting to play one of the few musical theatre roles that has this type of character arc has just been lovely. And I’m a dad this time around. When I did the show in 2015, we found out that my wife Renee was pregnant during the run of the show. But I wasn’t actually a dad yet. Now, having two kids, the experience is completely different. It’s a lot more real.  

What is it like taking on these roles, both of which you are familiar with from different productions, this time around? What has changed? I know, Jim, you said this time you’re a Dad. How are things changing for you both as Mr. and Mrs. Banks with this production?

Suzi: Having gone through Covid the past couple of years, losing a parent, being the parent of both a teenager and an adult (15 and 21), my perspective is totally different. Also, having a husband who is very busy and is very much like George Banks, I notice that as the work goes on, it does consume a lot more of our time. My perspective is totally different than it was back then. In 2019 we were really happy-go-lucky people. We didn’t think anything bad was going to happen. And then the whole world fell into itself. So now I’m finding that certain relationships are really important. There’s a real character arc and growth that you see. Watching those changes in the character— Winifred starts off very meek, thinking of herself as someone who has to be subservient. And she grows into someone who is really independent and able to just take on the world.

Jim: For me it’s the fatherhood thing. It changes everything. The approach we’re taking with this production, and not in a bad way or a good way, but is very, very different than when I did the show back in 2015. We’re looking a little more into the character arc. We’re looking into what makes these decisions happen and why these characters are the way they are. Whereas in the past it was a lot more of “here’s a great character in a great show, go.” And at least for me personally, with this production, I’m getting to look more into the “why” of George. Why is he like this? And it’s not just Miss Andrew, of course she’s a part of it, but it’s more than that. It’s the era he lives in and so many other things. It’s a very interesting study for me, getting to look into his motivation and what drives him. Maybe it’s just being older and settled in my life, understanding the show a little more that lets me— well lets us all, really— dive in and explore the ‘what and the why’ of what it is we’re doing.

Suzi: Can I add something? As Jim’s talking, I’m thinking and realizing. Before Covid, I think a lot of us were just running on automatic pilot. I think in some ways, fear pulled us back, we had lots of reasons why we weren’t going to go out and do this or that. And then the pandemic happened and you realize that time is very precious. So with Winifred, she’s spent her whole life doing what George said, but then all the sudden she comes to this realization that “this is it. I’ve got to take it on myself no matter what because he’s not going to do it for me.”

Is there a moment or musical number in the show that really speaks to you? Either as Suzi and Jim or as Mr. and Mrs. Banks?

Jim: They are the exact same moment for me. It is that moment in Act II, right after “Step In Time” and I have my only scene with Bert in the entire show, with the stars. The first time we rehearsed it I was blinking back tears the entire scene. It’s the scene where everything starts to click. I don’t want to ruin surprises of what we’re doing or which vein we’re taking it in, but there is something that we’re doing in that moment that I’ve never seen done before with this show and I think that it is going to be really interesting. I mean, Lauren digs so deep with these things— I’ve never worked with her before— but she’d just magical! Pun intended!

Suzi: I think the moment for me is the middle of “Being Mrs. Banks.” We’re looking for George because he’s disappeared, and Miss Andrew has taken over. I say the line, “I’ll fight for the man who needs freeing, the real you that no one is seeing.” Because everyone is against George for most of the play, including me! And then all of the sudden I realize that there is something deeper that I’ve missed and it’s my turn to go after him and bring him home.

Jim: I think what you’re saying is that our favorite moments with both of our characters are the moments where we realize how much we need to change.

What have been some of the challenges that you guys have experienced in taking on this show?

Suzi: I would say that because we’ve done it before— really making it fresh. And I can see by the look on Jim’s face that I’ve just given his answer. Sorry I took your answer! But it’s been a process of taking away what we knew and just starting from scratch. I’ve got to say, though, working with Jim has been really incredible because when we’re not used on stage, we’ll go out into the hallway and just play. We’ll go over and over the different lines, trying to feel out those moments until they get real.

Jim: Lauren really encourages that too. When we do that and we come back and we say “hey we have this idea”, she’s really open to listening and working with these ideas that we bring to the table. So that’s been great. But it’s also a lot of what Suzi said. It’s finding a different, fresh approach to the character. With George it’s not just about being a pompous ass. It’s about being a pompous ass with purpose and for a very specific reason. He has a depth. And for this production I’m trying to reel-in that ‘pompous ass’ notion. It’s not so much pompous as it is detached and aloof. It’s been great working with Suzi. She’s very intuitive to work with. And Bella and Elijah (Bella Comotto & Elijah Tsakalos, playing Jane & Michael Banks) are just amazing.

Suzi: Yes they are. And I think it’s Elijah’s first show ever. His evolution from the start of this rehearsal process to now has just been astonishing; it’s truly amazing.

Jim: And while we’re talking about amazing cast-mates, just because he is a cornerstone of Baltimore Theatre, this is the first time I’ve gotten to work with Gary (actor Gary Dieter, playing Bert) and it has been amazing. The collaboration in this show has been indescribable. I mean you get a bunch of talented people together in a room and just let them be talented and still have a vision. That’s just something that Lauren does so well. She steers the ship! It can be intimidating as a directors when you have really talented people trying to change and evolve the way they’re doing things, but she has no fear and she’s inclusive and collaborative and it’s just been so amazing.

What has been your favorite magical moment in the show? I should point out that Jim and Suzi are now looking at one another with conspiratorial looks on their faces and Suzi is bursting into maniacal laughter.

Jim: Can I say my magical moment is managing to somehow not cry when Bella gives me the money back? I almost lost it last week at rehearsal when we’re doing it— and I managed to stammer out ‘thank you’ whilst choking back tears.

Suzi: Wow. Now I’m going to cry. Because Mandy was talking about “magic” and you’re talking about “maaagic.”

Way to gatekeep magic, Suzi.

Jim: I know! I know, but George doesn’t have any “magic” moments. I mean he does— but he’s got that one moment— and I can’t talk about it without ruining surprises for our readers.

Suzi: Oh right! That is such a great moment.

Jim: George doesn’t really have magic moments. That’s why I love this character so much. He is so grounded compared to everyone else in this show. He has his issues but he never really sees the magic first-hand. Yet he still changes.

What about you, Suzi? A magic moment? Of either type of magic.

Suzi: Haha! I was going to go high with the magic moment, but the magic moment for me is during “Spoonful of Sugar” when I’m at my wits’ end because I’m trying to put on this party and the kids basically blow up the kitchen. And then I walk back in and everything is perfect because the kids have cleaned it up. With Mary’s help, of course. That’s my ‘magic’ moment. Do you want to hear my magic moment? The magic moment is when George comes in, pulls out his pocket, and says, “I’d give you a sixpence if I had it.”

Jim: And that leads to the magic moment I was talking about when the kids give me the money back later! It all ties together.

Mr. and Mrs. Banks don’t really dance in this show.

Suzi: Oh but we do. Sort of. In the bows. S-U-P-E-R…

Oh my! Alright. What has learning the 525,600 gestures of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” or “SuperCal” as the kids are calling it, taught you about your dance-gesticulation capabilities?

Suzi: I have learned that I am not sure what is left and what is right anymore. I love it. I’m confused. But I love it.

Jim: I didn’t learn it last time. I’m learning it this time. It is difficult.

Suzi: I can also say with certainty that Katie has changed up the last couple of letters. It used to be “—cious” at the end as like one run-on gesture-move? And now it’s “—C-I-O-U-S.” So she’s changed it up just enough that I can’t do it anymore. Katie’s been really great with the choreography too.

What does the word— Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious— which I definitely know how to spell— mean to you?

Suzi: Oh yikes. She’s pointed at me, I guess that means I should go first? It’s an expressive word that you can use at any moment when you don’t know what to say. It’s just that improv moment.

Jim: Oh. Me? Um. Growth? It’s the magic of life.

If you could be any character in Mary Poppins regardless of age, gender, singing or dancing capabilities, etc. who would you want to be?

Suzi: Mary Poppins, of course!

Jim: Bert, obviously.

And perhaps in four years’ time, that production will pop up. And Katie will move over to Miss Andrew and you two can rotate around. That’s how Poppins happens, right? Every four years a spoonful of sugar gets sprinkled somewhere over Baltimore and SNAP— the production’s on stage?

Suzi: Oh that’s a wonderful idea. That way I don’t have to put Katie in a closet somewhere during auditions!

You guys are hilarious. What is it that you guys are hoping people are going to take away from seeing this production of Mary Poppins?

Jim: They are going to walk out the door talking about the fun and the magic. But what they’re actually going to take home is how you can grow as a person, how you can grow as a family, and how just being together is the most important thing.

Suzi: Jeez. How do I top that one? For me, it really is about family. But it’s also about work not coming first all the time. Our lives have become so work-centered, especially with Dads. A lot of families have dads who are not present because of that want or need to make more money. I want people to come away with the idea that it’s okay to put work last and put family first.

What has being a part of this production of Mary Poppins taught you about yourselves?

Suzi: For me, personally, I have learned that I am really more resilient than I thought. Up until last year I had never done shows in the winter time because I am so engulfed in what I’m doing at McDonogh. And engulfed with golf! Performing is my number one passion above anything else. When my kids are grown and I’m ready to jump out in the professional world, I want to have a lot of experience, and community is a great place to build that experience and I love it. I always put performances in the winter on the backseat because things are so busy at school. But this year I said screw it, I’m doing a winter performance, I’m going to do me, I’m going to do school and family. I’m going to do it all. And I can.

Jim: I feel like I’m taking the cop-out answer, but it’s a really, really true answer that I don’t think a lot of people really consider when it comes to this type of theatre. And obviously, the readers at home can’t do this, but look around this room. We’ve got that young man right over there, wearing glasses, he’s seven or maybe eight. We have a five-year-old in the show. I’m 47. And then you have folks like Basil, who are the elder statesmen of community theatre and who have been doing theatre longer than I’m alive. We have 80 years of combined people-experience in this room, all coming together, all contributing. And that for me, above and beyond just this production of Mary Poppins, is what community theatre is. It’s a community. It’s this group of people, some of whom I’ve worked with before, some of whom are new to me, all coming together to achieve this one thing. And it’s been great working together with this wonderful group of people in this amazing space. And it’s fantastic to have theatre back— this is my first show back since the pandemic. I just look around and I’m in shock about how amazing theatre is. This is a great group of people, so talented and so dedicated and I feel challenged in a good way, every day that I work with them.

If you had to sum up the Mary Poppins experience here at Suburban Players in just one word, what word would you use?

Suzi: Family.

Jim: Growth.

Mary Poppins plays February 10^th through February 19^th 2023 with the Suburban Players housed at the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in the Hermes Rafailides Center— 2504 Cub Hill Road in Carney, MD. For tickets please call (443) 390-2981 or email Suburbanplayers2504@gmail.com

To read the interview with Bella Comotto and Elijah Tsakalos, click here.

To read the interview with Erin, Evelyn, Maeve, and Nora Acerno, click here.

To read the interview with Tammy Oppel, click here.