Reviewed by Tony Annicone
University of Rhode Island Theatre Department’s closing show of their season is “Mary Poppins.” The show is based on the P.L. Travers books and the 1964 movie starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It shows anything can and will happen at # 17 Cherry Hill Lane. The Broadway version opened on November 16, 2006, closed on March 3, 2013 and ran for 2619 performances. The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards including best musical. It is now a full Broadway musical with 44 major awards worldwide and with a new movie coming out with Emily Blunt as the iconic Mary Poppins.
The magical story of Mary Poppins, the magical nanny who flies into the lives of the troubled Banks children will dazzle and delight audiences of all ages. Bert, the chimney sweep, welcomes the audience into the world of Mary Poppins with “Chim Chim Cheree” and we continue to follow Mary’s exploits throughout all of London. She charms each person she comes in contact with back in London in 1910. The talent of the cast and the special flying effects of Flying by Foy capture the hearts of every audience member, inducing them to leap to their feet at the curtain call. Director Paula McGlasson outdoes herself with the musical extravaganza with expert musical direction by Lila Kane and stunning energetic choreography by Nicole Chagnon. Brava on a job well done.
Paula obtains high quality performances from her cast and mixes the comic and dramatic moments together wonderfully especially poignant is the scene where the children give their father money. Lila taught the cast the tongue twisting lyrics and gorgeous melodies and harmonies. She also plays lead keyboards while conducting a seven piece orchestra. Nicole’s dances sparkle and shine during the show. The most impressive dances include the tap dance for “Step in Time”, the soft shoe dance and the dancing statue dance during “Jolly Holiday.” Leading this large cast is Emily Turtle. She is a gorgeous girl with a fabulous voice. Emily embodies the role of the magical nanny captivating everyone in the audience. Her glorious soprano voice soars in “Practically Perfect”, “Spoonful of Sugar”, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “Feed the Birds” and “Anything Can Happen.” Emily’s acting and dancing is as marvelous as her vocals and interactions with the whole cast. Her flying offstage and back on is splendid to behold, too. Brooks Shatraw also shines as Bert, the chimney sweep. He narrates the start of the show with “Chim Chim Cheree” and later “Step in Time” becomes a huge show stopping dance extravaganza. It’s also a duet for Bert and Mary, too. Brooks displays his astounding tenor voice in “Jolly Holiday”, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and “Step in Time” which is a fantastic tap number. His antics during this number are splendid, too as he flies above everyone’s head doing flips while flying. Emily and Brooks are the perfect leads for this sensational show. I last reviewed him in “Spring Awakening” at URI in 2016.
The supporting players do a marvelous job with their roles, too. J. Edward Clarke plays the father, Mr. Banks. He displays his voice in “Cherry Tree Lane” with the family as well as his two solo numbers, “A Man Has His Dreams” when he realizes he’s changed from being an idealistic youth and in “Good for Nothing” when he’s depressed after being suspended from the bank. Jake makes the transition from strict martinet into a more loving, caring father by show’s end with Mary’s magic touch. The scene when he hugs his daughter after they give him their money is very touching, too. Maggie Papa does a great job as Mrs. Banks. She shows off her lovely voice in “Being Mrs. Banks” when she thinks she let down her husband and children and in “Anything Can Happen” when she decides to follow her heart and defend her husband.
The two children are played by 10 year old Kate Rocchio as Jane and 9 year old Zachary Simpkins as Michael and they excel in these roles. Their acting is impeccable and their fantastic voices are heard in “Perfect Nanny”, “Practically Perfect”, “Jolly Holiday”, “Spoonful of Sugar”, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and “Step in Time.” They also dance up a storm with the adults. Kate and Zachary are onstage almost the whole time and remain in character all night long. Michael’s final line “I love you Mary Poppins” leaves you in tears at the close of the show.
The villainess in this show is Miss Andrews who is wonderfully played by Lauren Jannetti. She is a hoot as this malevolent woman who rejects Mary Poppins’ spoonful of sugar to her own elixir “Brimstone and Treacle” with castor oil. Miss Andrews is a tyrant who frightened George as a child. Her voice soars up to a high B in her song. Lauren and Emily do a reprise of the number when Mary banishes her from Jane and Michael’s lives forever. Ardemis Kassabian plays the kindly Mrs. Corry who runs a candy store in Act 1. This is where the show stopping dance to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is performed with precision by one and all. Valerie Ferris tugs at your heartstrings as the Bird Woman who sings “Feed the Birds” with Mary Poppins. She teaches Michael how to be kind to others. The maid and butler are well played by Cassidy McCartan and Eric Schlicht. Her slow burns and insults are hilarious as are his pratfalls. Kudos to the entire cast and crew who an incredible job on this heartwarming musical. So for a marvelous and magical rendition of the Disney musical, be sure to catch “Mary Poppins” before she flies out of town for good.
MARY POPPINS (20 to 29 April)
URI Theatre, Will Theatre, Upper College Road, Kingston, RI
1(401)874-5834 or www.uri.edu/theatre
