Brendan C. ’17, reporter for the Middle School Messenger, met GA alum Geoffrey Goldberg ’02, during his short stay in Philadelphia in March.  Geoff is the dance captain of the Mary Poppins touring troupe. 

Messenger : When did you become interested in dancing?

Mr. Goldberg : I started dancing when I was six years old. I had seen a production of "The Music Man" when I was five and couldn't stop moving and dancing around to the music, so my mom decided to put me in dance classes when I was six.

Messenger : How did you get on the cast of Mary Poppins as a dance captain?

Mr. Goldberg I started with the show when it first opened in Chicago over two years ago. I had auditioned for it many times in New York City, where I was living, and finally got cast in the National Tour Production. I was in the ensemble for a year and then moved up into the role of Dance Captain.

Messenger : What shows have you been in besides Mary Poppins?

Mr. Goldberg I have done lots! 42nd Street. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Singin' in the Rain. Grease! A few different tours and other regional theatre productions around the country.

Messenger : Why is theater so appealing to you?

Mr. Goldberg I have always loved the theatre, being on stage, singing, acting, and dancing. For as long as I can remember I have loved doing it, and I am just so happy when I am performing. I think theatre is also just such a fantastic and fascinating art form!

Messenger : Are you married? If so do you have any children?

Mr. Goldberg I am not married, and no kids either.

Messenger : If you weren't a dance captain (or a dancer) in this show where would you be?

Mr. Goldberg I'd be playing Mary Poppins, of course! No, seriously, if I weren't a dancer in the show, I would love to play the leading role of "Bert," or even be involved on the other side of things, maybe working with the director or something like that.

Messenger : When is your favorite time to perform?

Mr. Goldberg : I love doing an early evening show. That way I can finish at work and not have it be so late that I can't enjoy my night afterwards.

Messenger : What do you love about the cast?

Mr. Goldberg : The cast, especially a cast like this, that travels and works and lives together on the road, is like one big family. We all have family members that we love, that we disagree with, that annoy us, that are our best friends...but all of them combined is what makes a family so fun.

Messenger : What was your favorite number to teach and/or perform and why?

Mr. Goldberg : Step In Time is my favorite number to perform and to teach.  Tap has always been my favorite kind of dance, and I love the number in our show.

Messenger : What do you remember most about GA?

Mr. Goldberg : I remember the teachers, actually!  What fantastic teachers I had! I remember being very busy, all the time, and having excellent teachers who helped me and pushed me to excel in everything I did.

Here is an interview on NBC10 when the show was here in Philadelphia - http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/shows/10-show/Marry_Poppins_Philadelphia-119013534.html

Editor’s Note:  After enjoying his time on tour in Philadelphia this spring, Geoffrey is quite happy to report that he will “be moving into the NY company of Mary Poppins…on Broadway in the fall.” Geoffrey will be the dance captain of the show on Broadway, a role familiar to him from the touring company.  “I am very excited,” he shared.  “I've done many national Broadway tours, but this will be my first time doing a Broadway show ON Broadway, in NYC.”