The best way to describe Phoenix Festival Theater's production of "Mary Poppins" is that it promises to be a "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" show! It has a tip-top Mary Poppins, live orchestra, and some spectacular dance numbers choreographed by director Kim Brueggemann.
In addition to familiar songs like "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Step in Time" and "Let's Go Fly a Kite," the production includes a delightfully grim character from the P.L. Travers story—Mr. Banks' old nanny, Miss Andrews, who threatens one and all while singing "Brimstone and Treacle." The Disney version didn't include her, but she's a worthy addition.
"Mary Poppins" is onstage at the Chesapeake Theater at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, from June 10-19. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets for reserved seating are $12-$20. Call 443-412-2211 or visit WWW.LIVEatHARFORDCC.com.
"I have wanted to be Mary Poppins since I was a kid. It's definitely a dream come true," Brenda Tackett, who, in costume, could easily be mistaken for Julie Andrews in the movie version, said. Because she has already starred in a production of "The Sound of Music" as Maria, another role Julie Andrews made famous, she quipped, "Now I get to be Julie Andrews again!"
Her children, Anna, 8, and James, 5, already know all the songs and dances and are sure to see the show more than once.
Tyler Zeisloft plays Mary's friend, Bert the chimney sweep. Last seen locally onstage as Enjolras in Tidewater Players' production of "Les Miserables," he is busy in real life as front man for the country band, Walk-Ins Welcome, and co-host of the Morning Show with Paula and Tyler on WXCY 103.7 FM in Havre de Grace.
"I used to watch this movie as a kid over and over," he said. "To get the chance to play Bert in 'Mary Poppins' is a dream come true."
Rod Bourn and Stephanie Atha play Mr. and Mrs. Banks, parents of young Jane (Sofia Bordner) and Michael (Daniel Konkurat). Bourn said he will appear "al fresco" again (recall his shiny, bald pate when he recently played Ito in PFT's "Mame"), while Atha will have a 1910 Gibson Girl hairstyle.
Bourn's daughter Erin, 15, and son Colin, 17, are in the show with him.
"I'm glad to be here with them again, making my own memories as a dad," he said.
Stephanie Atha, who plays the submissive Mrs. Banks, said that when she was growing up doing theater, she saw mothers doing shows with their children.
"When Emily was in first grade, we auditioned for 'Hello, Dolly,'" she said, noting that her daughter, now 11, is in the company of "Mary Poppins."
When Nanny Extraordinaire Mary Poppins first measures the Banks children, she calls Jane "thoughtless, short-tempered and untidy." You can judge for yourself whether Sofia Bordner, 11, who starred as Ariel in a production of "The Little Mermaid" in May, may be considered "practically perfect" by show's end. She shares the stage with her mom, Sariela (Miss Lark, Queen Victoria), dad Ralph (Admiral Boom, Von Hussler), and siblings Gabriel, 7, and Isabela, 16.
Like his sister Jane, Michael (Daniel Koncurat), initially described as "noisy, mischievous and troublesome," improves with exposure to his new nanny. Koncurat, 9, appears onstage with his mom, Cathy (Mrs. Corry), and siblings Kelly, 12, Julia, 14, and Rachel, 17.
The Washburn family is also well represented, with mom Catherine playing Miss Andrew, who was Mr. Banks' nanny. She truly intimidates in her solo, "Brimstone and Treacle."
"She's evil incarnate," Washburn said. "A funny thing is that I am also playing the Mother Abbess in 'The Sound of Music' in July at John Carroll."
In this show, she is joined by some of her 8 youngsters - Rebekah, 12, Indy, 15, and Jonah, 16.
The cast got advice with their British accents from Julia Wadey, a member of the company. She moved here from Coventry, England in January.
Cast members include Jill Murray (Katie Nanna), Elizabeth Marion (Mrs. Brill), Adam Nelson (Robertson Ay), Matt Stoots (park keeper),Donovan Murray (bank chairman), Chuck Hamrick (Northbrook), Heather Hildebeidel (Bird Woman—she sings a mean "Feed the Birds."), Laura May (Fannie), Becky Titleman (Annie), and Joshua Robinson (Valentine). Members of the company are Kerrigan Allred, Kyleigh Daiker, Tara Edwards, Sammi Flickinger, Ellie Ford, Olivia Lang, Sophia MacKinnon, Kyle Magness, Anna McClelland, Gemma Menges, Lindsay Rosser, Lea Scavetta, Michael Shock, and Kyle Wedemeyer.
Richard Hauf directs the live orchestra, with Stephanie Cvach on piano; Amy Thornsen and Katie Laakso, flute; Dominic Frances, clarinet; Faye O'Brien, oboe/English horn; Mark Lashof and Jillian Laakso, trumpet; Dawn Zipay, horn; Liz Antwarg, trombone; Liz Martin, bass; and Isaiah Keith, percussion .
Company manager/producer Larry Hensley heads up the production team, which includes Jeff Kanyuck, technical director; Thomas Gardner, stage manager; Chuck Bowden, set and lighting designer; Stella DiPeso, costume designer; Susan Doris and Susan Hennegan, costume assistants; Emily Grden, props manager; and Fred Derby, sound designer/operator.