Community Corner

West Hollow Student Appearing on Broadway

David Gabriel Lerner is starring as Michael Banks in "Mary Poppins."

David Gabriel Lerner always wanted to act. He started asking his mom, Maria, if he could take classes when he was about 4 or 5. His older sister was taking cello lessons and his older brother, hockey, and he wanted his turn. But he wanted to act.

First he went to Stars of Tomorrow, in Huntington and then to the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Plainview, and then to USDAN.

It was at an acting workshop at CAP where he learned audition skills and he met an agent. After the 10-week session, the agent said to David, “I would like to work with you.”

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Then came two years of auditions; David did some commercials, voiceovers and then played Oliver in “Oliver” at the White Plains Performing Arts Center at the end of 2008.

“He loved it,” his mom said. 

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And last April, David ended up just where he wanted to be: on Broadway. He started rehearsals for “Mary Poppins.” He is one of three boys sharing the role of Michael Banks. Two to four times a week he stars in the show, his mom said. The way they rotate it is, while one boy is performing, one is backstage on standby and the third boy is on call.

“We go into the city about five days a week,” his mom said. “Occasionally he does a Wednesday matinee, but most of his shows are on the weekend, so he is still attending seventh grade at . If we’re going into the city, he does his work on the train or backstage. He is very disciplined. He goes to extra help at school if he needs it. The teachers are all very supportive.”

In fact, the teachers are coming to see the show this week. This is David’s second six-month contract. This one is through May. The show has been on Broadway for four years now. When David was rehearsing for the show, last April, he was tutored on stage.

His mom said he loves the other kids who are starring in the show with him. There are three Michael Banks and three Jane Banks and they are from all over: New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania. Some are home schooled; it depends on their commute, Lerner said. The youngest is 9 and the oldest was 15.

“Their age doesn’t matter,” Lerner said. “It’s about the way they look together; their height.”

She said the play is a combination of the book and the movie.

“The musical numbers are unbelievable. The talent is top notch,” she added. “What’s amazing is that the British actress who originated the role of Mary Poppins in London, Laura Michelle Kelly, is back in the role on Broadway right now, and the original Bert, also from London, Gavin Lee, is back in the role on Broadway too. It’s wonderful for David to see professionals in action like this.”

His mom said David continues to study ballet and take voice lessons as well as act on Broadway.

“He’s very disciplined. He has to be. And he loves it,” she said. “He loves the crowd, the live theater. He’s very comfortable on stage. Which is good because this is a very demanding role. He’s on stage 80 percent of the play.” 

How does David feel about all this? “I love it so much,” he said. “It’s so much fun.” He has no trouble speaking with an English accent for the role of Michael Banks he said. “It’s easy now. I did it for Les Mis and Oliver,” said the young pro. David said he likes the matinees better. “I feel more energetic during the day and there are more kids in the audience.”

He loves the show a lot but would also be willing to do TV, a movie, “whatever,” he said.

How is it for David’s older brother and sister? “My 17-year-old daughter is a senior now at ,” Lerner said, “so she drives. That helps a lot. My 16-year-old son is a sophomore, so they’re not babies. But it’s a group effort. Everyone has to help out. This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. We do what we have to do to make it work. It’s David’s turn now.”

It certainly is. Who knows where we’ll see David next. Stay tuned.


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