By JESSICA NEU
The Old Schoolhouse Players continue their 2024 season as Mary Poppins flies into 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical is based on the beloved 1964 Disney film originally starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Mary Poppins is a seemingly magical nanny who flies in to help care for Mr. and Mrs. Banks’ two children, Jane and Michael. Her mantra of “anything is possible if you try” leads the children on several fantastical adventures and reminds the Banks family of the importance of familial love. The musical was co-created by British theater titan Cameron Mackintosh, with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and a book by Julian Fellows. The musical keeps the film’s plot intact with additional numbers that open up the plot and create richer character development.
Fans of all ages filled the Old Schoolhouse theater on opening night and remained captivated by the show for the entire two-and-a-half hours. Directed by Cindy Berg and Ann Frohnapfel, fans were greeted by familiar costumes, a collaborative effort between 11 staff members led by Berg—these stunning period pieces, including Poppins’ iconic Victorian coat and white and red parasol dress. The costumes illuminated classic numbers led by four fiercely talented actors. Carina Iannarelli leads the cast as the firm yet endearing Poppins and delivers a performance that is indeed “practically perfect.” Iannarelli’s portrays Poppins with nuance and subtle detail. Her mannerisms and effortless stride project the same sense of loving control that Andrews brought to the role 60 years ago. She enthusiastically leads the cast through production numbers such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” but also demonstrates her vocal range and character acting skills in more intimate numbers such as “Playing the Game” and the cheeky “Brimstone and Treacle Part 2.”
Her legendary sidekick, the quirky, altruistic Bert (John Herrmann) carries the show from start to finish, shining in numbers, including “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Step in Time.” The musical also allows audiences to get to know Bert a bit better as he has several personal moments throughout the show. Most notably, Bert shares a moment with Mr. Banks (Dewayne Curry) toward the end of Act 2, which serves as a much-needed catharsis and humanizing moment for Banks.
Mary Poppins is first and foremost a nanny, and the Banks’ children, Jane (Laurel Denk) and Michael (Ricky Growden), are integral parts of the cast. It wasn’t easy to reconcile that Denk and Growden are rising 4th and 7th graders, respectively. Their pitch-perfect performances proved skilled beyond their years. They played the sometimes-defiant children who just yearned to be loved with poise and grace and drew big laughs from the crowd on so many well-delivered moments. Both Denk and Growden are polished actors with bright futures in the theater.
Iannarerlli, Herrmann, Denk, and Growden, along with the rest of the lovely multi-generational ensemble, are able toshine due in large part to Berg’s ingenious set design. Stagehands and cast members maneuvered through intricate scene changes that morphed the Banks’ home into the park, the rooftops, and the bank with several multifunctional set pieces that truly brought the show to life. Clever use of the proscenium created space for Jane and Michael’s bedroom and Mr. Banks’ office, allowing the show to move fluidly as crew members reset the main stage.
Berg and Frohnapfel also bring Poppins’ magical touches that are often in the film, a result of visual effects and clever camera maneuvers, to the community theater stage. Her carpet bag is still a seemingly bottomless pit of wonders, and her umbrella still carries her up into the stars. Most importantly, the original film’s themes still resonate 60 years later and are delivered poignantly in OSP’s production. Audiences will leave the theater with the reminder that “anything is possible if you try” and to see the joy and wonder in the small, everyday moments…just don’t forget your “spoonful of sugar” along the way.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
The Old Schoolhouse Players production of Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical has performances of July 20, 2024 at 7:30 pm, Sunday the 21st at 2 pm (Sold Out), the 26th and 27th at 7:30 with a mattinees on Sunday the 28th at 2 pm. The theater is located at 20 Wabash Ave in Hickory, PA 15340. Tickets at https://osp.ticketleap.com/marypoppins/dates
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply