Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is not a Harry Potter spell. In fact, it comes from the award-winning, “Practically Perfect” musical, Mary Poppins! For the first time, Disney’s Mary Poppins is touring all around the USA. I was thrilled when Mary Poppins flew into LA!

The lights dimmed. The curtains lifted. And the musical began, sweeping me away into the superlative world of Mary Poppins. The show did an unbelievable job capturing my mind and turning the magic of Mary Poppins from page to screen to stage! 

How do Disney Theatrical Productions and Cameron Mackintosh set up a three-story house on stage every night? The Banks’ house opens up just like a pop-up dollhouse on Cherry Tree Lane. It is obvious that the creative team works together beautifully; the sound design and quick background changes are most impressive. Mary Poppins flying over the audiences’ heads with her hefty umbrella and handbag is impeccable. My favorite special effect takes place in the kitchen, where a little catastrophe happens – tables break, plates roll, and kitchen utensils clatter to the ground.

The costumes are bright, colorful, eye-catching, and simply gorgeous. With more than 200 costumes (not even counting the props), I guess the ensemble has to change from costume to costume at supersonic speed! 

The bizarre dance numbers are complex, outstanding, and make the audience want to join in! The cast’s enthusiasm is extremely contagious, and the whole house buzzed with energy. One of the most amazing stunts of the musical is Nicolas Dromard (Bert), a multitalented actor, tap-dancing upside-down on the ceiling of the theater in “Step in Time!”

Another fantastic number is “Supercalifragilistic.” The entire audience claps along with the beat. It is a wondrous sight to see the entire cast spell out all 34 letters with their precise hand gestures! The lively orchestra and the choreography rejuvenate and communicate the infectious enthusiasm, with the spirit of the cast pulsing and thrumming as if they gulp down “A Spoonful of Sugar!”

There are also new musical numbers added that aren’t in the film – an extra little treat for the audience. “Practically Perfect” and “Anything Can Happen” are two of my favorite newbies.

The acting is superb, and I was delighted to see the kids in the role of Jane and Michael Banks, two spoiled, nasty, and mischievous kids. Camille Mancuso (Jane Banks) and Tyler Merna (Michael Banks) sing their hearts out with excellent voices. 

And of course, let’s not forget the phenomenal nanny - Steffanie Leigh as Mary Poppins certainly bring the magic alive from the film! Turning work into play, chores into games, and everyday into a splendiferous escapade – what a high-flying, magical extravaganza! 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a world parallel yet so mystical to our own. Mary Poppins is a sprightly musical that is not to be missed!

Check out my interview with Nicolas Dromard and the kid stars of Mary Poppins! 

—Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao

Photo: (left to right) Steffanie Leigh as Mary Poppins, Talon Ackerman as Michael Banks, and Camille Mancuso as Jane Banks perform “Practically Perfect.” National Tour Company of Mary Poppins. (Credit: ©Disney/CML.  Photo by Joan Marcus)

When YOU Are Career Day!

Kid Reporter encourages students to follow their passion

Career Day at a school in Los Angeles recently included some exciting speakers, including an FBI agent. But there was also….

“Let’s welcome the Scholastic Kid Reporter, Cassandra Hsiao!” said the announcer at Palos Verdes Intermediate School in Los Angeles, California, introducing me to 300+ 6th graders. Applause still resounded in my ears even after the clapping died down.

With shaking hands, I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. I was tongue-tied at first, with my teeth set on edge. I took a deep breath, standing behind the podium facing the audience. My three-minute speech was to encourage students to follow their path of passion and how my own passion in writing led me to be a Scholastic Kid Reporter.

I told them writing gives me confidence and makes me feel like a complete version of myself. Using a lesson from the movie Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, I explained that Flint Lockwood knew from a very young age that he wanted to be a great inventor and how he continued to follow his passion.

I expressed that the students could follow their passions too. I ended with the quote, “Dream until your dream comes true.” I was warmly embraced by the enthusiastic applause of the students.

Right after that, George Olivo, who has been working in the FBI Los Angeles division for the last 13 years, stepped up to the podium. His talk was about core values, strong character, and peer pressure. He demonstrated that peer pressure can be powerful, and if you make a wrong turn at the crossroads, it could mess up your whole life.

“’Kids are the future,’” Olivo told me in an interview after the presentations. “I have confidence in the young people today, but they still need guidance. I want to show them what is possible, and that the sky’s the limit.”

I think he did just that in his speech. I only hope the students got the same inspiration from me.

—Cassandra Hsiao

PHOTO: Scholastic News Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao at a school in California. (Photo Courtesy Cassandra Hsiao)

At the premiere of On Stranger Tides

Johnny Depp is back in action once again as Jack Sparrow (sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow) in this new addition to the franchise – Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides 3D. Unlike the past Pirates world premieres, the carpet was black instead of red.

There were plenty of pirates on May 7 at the Happiest Place on Earth. Crowds of fans camped out on Friday night until 7 a.m. when Disneyland opened its gates, finding themselves rushing in, filling up the best spots on the bleachers. Nearly 22,000 fans had waited, and some of them for up to 18 hours, to see their favorite stars when the premiere began at 5:30 p.m. Oh, and don’t forget the 187 press outlets from all over the world that filled up Mainstreet. Did I mention that the black carpet ran 2,700 feet (spanning more than 26,000 square feet) down Disneyland’s Mainstreet to Rivers of America?

Pirates on stilts and jugglers roamed the carpet, starting “Yo-ho” chants among the fans and directing the off-tune choruses of “It’s a Pirate’s Life for Me.” (What do you expect? Pirates don’t sing in key!) The scallywags managed to pass the time until the stars started arriving at 6 p.m. 

I had a great time talking to some of the guest stars, such as Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place), Adam Irigoyan and Caroline Sunshine (Shake It Up!), Boo Boo Stewart (Eclipse), and Fivel Stewart. Some of the stars were already in pirate mode. Zachary Gordon from Diary of a Wimpy Kid had a pirate tattoo and a swashbuckling belt. Mickey was also dressed like a pirate, posing with the stars at the front of the carpet. Fans started chanting “Mickey! Mickey! Mickey!” and Mickey turned around, blowing kisses to the crowd.

The stars were really rocking the black carpet! Penelope Cruz, who plays the first female pirate (Angelica) in the franchise, arrived wearing a black low-cut feathered Marchesa gown. Geoffrey Rush as Hector Barbossa did not arrive with Chiquida (the adorable little monkey who appeared in all four movies) on his shoulder. But Chiquida did make an appearance, carried by her trainer who constantly fed her seedless black grapes. I had a great time talking to Robbie Kay (Cabin-boy), Kevin R. McNally (Joshamee Gibbs), Astrid Berges-Frisbey (Syrena, the mermaid), Sam Claflin (Phillip Swift, a young missionary), and Ian McShane (Blackbeard). 

There were lots of Jack Sparrow look-alikes imitating the swagger and the gestures. But only one managed to convince the press. He was dressed up like Johnny, not Jack Sparrow – old-fashioned suit, shades, hat, and hair. But the press caught on quick. This Johnny arrived way too early!

Finally, at about 8:15 p.m., the man of the hour arrived, signing autographs for his fans. The real Johnny Depp talked to a few major outlets, and devoted the rest of his time on the black carpet to his fans.  

Soon, Depp took a shortcut to the Rivers of America where Disney hoisted up a screen (six stories high and nine stories wide) on Tom Sawyer’s Island to show the 3D adventure of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Each ticket cost $1,000, and all of the money went to support the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. 

As fans began to leave the bleachers, we left the black carpet with our Disney escort and exited Disneyland. What a (black) night to remember!

Check out my video report from the black carpet and my review of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides!

—Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao

Photo: A general view of Micky Mouse at the world premiere of Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at Disneyland on May 7, 2011 in Anaheim, United States. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage, courtesy Disney)

Blast Off to Mars

What it’s like to cover a Hollywood movie press junket.

After beating early morning rush hour traffic, I finally arrived at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California. I had my questions ready for the cast and crew of the movie, Mars Needs Moms.

I was covering a press junket for the movie, which “invades” theatres on Friday, March 11. I couldn’t wait to meet the actors in the movie I had just seen the night before at the Universal CityWalk Cinema in IMAX 3D®!

Members of the press were provided with a delicious “only-served-on-Mars” breakfast right before we were called to the conference room. The delicious "UFO" scrambled eggs, the scrumptious sausages covered with Mars' red dust (peppers) and the red bacon really satisfied my appetite!

Seth Green (Milo), Simon Wells (director and co-writer), and Robert Zemeckis (producer) walked up to the stage and took their seats in front of a banner showing the surface of Mars. I marveled at how performance capture allowed 36-year-old Green to portray 9-year-old Milo!

I raised my hand to ask a question, and when the woman holding the microphone finally gave me the hint that I would be next, they called “time’s up.” I was a little disappointed, but my questions were answered during the roundtables.

I had thought at a round table, the tables would be round, but the cast and crew actually sat behind a rectangular table to answer questions from the press. Roundtable is a term used for when several reporters are conducting interviews together. It has nothing to do with the shape of the table.

The biggest treat of all was getting one-on-one interviews with the cast and crew! Every actor had his or her own suite. Disney publicists brought press members to each room. I spent about 10 minutes with each member of the cast and crew talking and laughing. I felt that I could really connect to the heart of the movie as we discussed about their characters.

“I think you ask very good questions,” Joan Cusack (Milo’s Mom) replied when I asked her if she looked up to Milo’s Mom’s example of love. “It sounds like you have a very good mom, and you’re really smart, and that’s a really interesting question.”

I was ecstatic because I had spent a lot of time coming up with the questions. My mom was also on cloud nine when I told her Cusack praised her for being such a good mother.

Covering the press junket was a great experience for me. I had a blast, blasting off to Mars! Check out my movie review.

—Cassandra Hsiao

PHOTO: Actors (from left) Joan Cusak (the Mom/Good) and Mindy Sterling (the Supervisor/Evil) with Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao at a press event for the new movie Mars Needs Moms. (Photo Courtesy Cassandra Hsiao)

Valentine’s Day Treats!

Cupcakes are a great way to treat your Valentines!

Today is Valentine’s Day. What comes into your mind when I say the word, “Valentine?” For me, I think of cards, love, cupids, roses, candy, and CUPCAKES.

I love to bake and design cupcakes and cookies to celebrate special days or holidays. In the past, I have made Easter-themed donuts, birthday cupcakes, sport-themed cupcakes for Father’s day, Christmas cupcakes, heart-shaped cookies on Grandparent’s day, and more.

I also help to raise funds for charity organizations by selling cupcakes. When you put your creativity into designing the cupcakes, the possibilities are endless.

If you want express your love to your friends and family this Valentine’s Day, here is the perfect recipe for making Valentine Cupcakes. You will need: A full package of red velvet cake mix or vanilla cake mix; water, vegetable oil, and eggs called for on cake mix box; 24 baking cups; a cupcake tray.

Baking instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Put the baking cups in the cupcake tray.

3. Mix eggs, water and vegetable oil as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Whisk for 2 minutes until batter is smooth.

4. Use a spoon to transfer equal amounts of the mixture to the baking cups.

5. Bake for 20 – 22 minutes.

6. Cool completely.

For decorating cupcakes, you will need: strawberry and vanilla frosting; decorating star tip; spatula or knife; icing pens; rolled fondant (sugary, smooth dough); heart-shaped candy; colorful sprinkles.

Now, get busy frosting your mouthwatering cupcakes! Sprinkle red hearts, colorful confections over pink or white frosted cupcakes. You may want to roll pre-colored fondant to make roses or use small cookie cutters to make heart-shaped fondant decorations to impress your family and friends. Best of all, you can decorate these cupcakes any way you like.

Cupcakes always bring joy and satisfaction. Most importantly, have fun decorating them! Happy Valentine’s Day!

—Cassandra Hsiao

PHOTOS: Cassandra's cupcakes. Yum! (Photos Courtesy CAssandra Hsiao

At Justin Bieber's Movie Premiere

Canadian singing phenom takes over Los Angeles. Next stop: The World!

Has anyone ever told you to stop dreaming, it’ll never happen? Well, here’s what Justin Bieber has to say about that: Never Say Never!

My dream certainly came true when my Scholastic editor sent me an email asking if I was interested in covering the red carpet premiere of the Justin Bieber documentary Never Say Never. I immediately screamed out loud and jumped with joy, turning the whole house upside down. I was on top of the world!

Finally, after much anticipation and preparation, the day of the premiere was here. My heart was pounding as I took my place behind the rope line on Tuesday afternoon. In one hour, Justin Bieber, along with other stars coming to see the movie, would be walking down the red carpet, or in this case, the purple carpet! (Purple is Justin’s favorite color.)

Posters were everywhere and fans were screaming at the cameras. The sound was deafening. I knew I was in the middle of Bieber Fever just by the sheer volume of the shreeks.

Teenage girls wore shirts that read, “I LUV JB,” and “Marry me, Justin!” Suddenly, the loud speakers played Justin Bieber’s hit song, “Baby,” and fans began singing along to the lyrics. They cried, screamed, and laughed as they shook with the Fever!

Before I knew it, the stars had arrived. The publicists were very friendly and brought actors and actresses to my spot on the rope line to talk to me. I interviewed the boy band Allstar Weekend, Debby Ryan from Suite Life on Deck, Bradley Steven Perry from Good Luck Charlie, and Madeline Carroll from The Spy Next Door and Flipped.

“Keep reading,” said Zachary Gordon from Diary of a Wimpy Kid when I asked him what he would like to tell Scholastic News readers. “You always learn a life lesson from every book you read.”

I also caught a glimpse of Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. After each interview, I’d say to myself, “Did I really just interview that person?!” I had a blast hanging out with the stars!

Finally, Justin Bieber was heading my direction. The reporters around me told me I might only get to ask him one question, so I chose my favorite one. Justin gave me his full attention, and I hurriedly asked my question before they moved him away.

Reporters were squeezed all around me, trying to get a good shot of Justin. I tried to take in everything at once. It all happened in a flash, but I got two questions in. I found out we have one thing in common—we both do household chores!

The cast and crew also came my way. Scooter Braun, Justin's manager, was just like Justin described in his book First Step 2 Forever—excited, funny, and super friendly. I asked him what he saw as the greatest growth in Justin.

“He’s becoming a man,” Scooter told me. “It’s not just about how he handles his success, but he also handles his failures very well.”

Dan Cutforth, one of the producers of Never Say Never, described Biebermania.

“If you hold your microphone in the air, and say Justin’s coming, you’ll see it first hand,” he explained. “It’s just some sort of strange power that overtakes crowds of teenage girls. It’s simply a phenomenon.”

It was a fantastic, amazing night that I’ll never forget. Check out my video interview with the stars on the purple carpet! But be careful. You could catch the fever, too!

—Cassandra Hsiao

PHOTO: Justin Bieber, 16, talks to Scholastic News Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao at the premiere of his 3D documentary movie Never Say Never. (Photo Courtesy Cassandra Hsiao)

Mummies of the World Unite!

Largest exhibit of mummies now traveling the U.S.

I held my breath as we made it to the front of the line. My heart was pounding with apprehension. I was about to enter the World of Mummies!

Mummies of the World made its World Premiere on July 1, 2010. Since then, it has become one of the most successful paid exhibits at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. I was given an exclusive tour of the exhibit by Jarrod Miller-Dean, California Science Center Communications coordinator.

Inside the exhibit, it was grave and eerie at times. Though there were many people inside the museum with me, I felt very alone.

Soon, I realized that the mummies weren’t so scary after all. They were displayed with dignity and respect and that came across in the exhibition.

The exhibition includes 45 human and animal mummies. They come from museums in South America, Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Egypt.

“We want people to understand that mummies don’t come just from Ancient Egypt,” said Diane Perlov, California Science Center senior vice president for exhibits. “We also want people to learn more about science tools that let scientists study mummies without destroying them.”

Jarrod pointed out to me that many mummies in the exhibit are natural mummies. The Detmold Child, a Peruvian child mummy that dates to 6,420 years ago, really grabbed my attention. I could see what it looked like when it died.

I asked Ms. Perlov which mummy she thought was the most fascinating.

“To me, one of the most fascinating ones are the mummies from Hungary,” she replied. “For example, the Orlovits Family, who suffered from tuberculosis.”

Michael, Veronica, and son Johannes Orlovits were 18th century mummies found in a church in Hungary. I thought they were interesting because they were wearing their “Sunday best,” or their church clothes.

Mummies of the World fascinated me. I devoured every bit of information I could. I came out of the exhibition feeling awed and amazed. I realized that what we know about mummies isn't all in the past. What we have learned through mummies may help us eliminate deadly diseases in the future.

“Scientists can go inside the mummies and extract the DNA,” said Diane Perlov. “Then they can try to find some medicine that is resistant to diseases like tuberculosis.”

Mummies of the World began a three-year tour in the U.S. this month. Check out www.mummiesoftheworld.com for more information.

You can also check out my video interview with Ms. Perlov, which includes a closer look at some of the actual mummies!

—Cassandra Hsiao

PHOTO: The Detmold Child is a naturally preserved Peruvian child mummy. (Photo Courtesy American Exhibitions, Inc.)