BWW Reviews: Supercalifragilistic MARY POPPINS Flies Into Cabrillo

Mary Poppins/book by Julian Fellowes/music by The Sherman Brothers/new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe/directed by Lewis Wilkenfeld/choreographed by Cheryl Baxter/Cabrillo Music Theatre at the Fred Kavli Theatre of the Thousand Oakes Civic Arts Plaza/through April 26 only

Mary Poppins with its glucose rush was a film I could not resist in the early 60s, since I was such an impressionable kid. I loved Dick Van Dyke's "Step in Time" dance extravaganza with all the chimney sweeps... and the Bird Woman's admirable mission to nurture our feathered friends. Seeing the stage version in 2009 was not at the top of my wish list. But, I must say, I'm glad I saw it. What an uplifting experience with such oustanding production values! Some material from P. L. Travers' stories had been judiciously added to the story from the screenplay, making the overall effect quite enchanting. Now Cabrillo Music Theatre presents their version of the classic, and quite frankly it's one of the best productions I have ever seen at Cabrillo. The cast headed by Juliana Hansen as Mary is sublime as is Lewis Wilkenfeld's direction and Cheryl Baxter's choreography. It's a great big hit. Don't miss it through next weekend only, April 26 to be exact!

Hansen plays Mary without one false move; like the new song says, she's "Practically Perfect". And what a voice! She sounds much like the original Julie Andrews. Wesley Alfvin as Bert is another delight. Narrator, dancer, chimney sweep, painter: Alfvin is as pleasurable as a chameleon changing colors. The precocious children Jane and Michael Banks (double cast -Maguire Balleweg/Brekkan Spens or Abigail Thompson/Sheffield Hocker) and their parents George (Michael Scott Harris) - such a fine actor who really shows a transformation from the inside out - and Winifred (Michelle Lane) show us an early version of the typical dysfunctional family that could be a puzzlement for a nanny were she not of the Mary Poppins school of etiquette.

Such is the case in the supporting cast with George's old nanny Miss Andrew (Karen Sonnenschein) who believes in a firm hand and treats with "Brimstone and Treacle". The added scene at the top of Act II provides some fun dueling moments for Hansen and Sonnenschein, and proves once and for all that dysfunctional treatments will never cure dysfunction. Sonnenschein makes a delicious 'nanny from hell'. Others worthy of note are Rebecca Warm as Mrs. Corry, Tania Storrs as the Bird Woman. (the haunting "Feed the Birds"), and in a small role as the statue Neleus, son of Poseidon Tyler Burk is a standout. Dynell Leigh is a delight as the maid/cook Mrs. Brill and Harrison Meloeny very funny as her inept assistant Robertson Ay. What fun to see Paul Stroili in one scene as Von Hussler and as part of the chorus, proving the old adage that there is no such thing as a small role!

It is a pleasure to see all the toys come to vibrant life in "Playing the Game" and the colorful costumes in the "Supercalifragilistic..." scene. All sets and costumes are from the Broadway tour of Mary Poppins. Cheryl Baxter has done splendid work in choreographing this show. The "Step in Time" sequence is marvelous, and the crowd scenes are exceedingly well staged by Wilkenfeld. The entire stage is filled with action throughout, the best work at Cabrillo.

These stories are for children and adults of all ages. Remember: "A Man Has Dreams" and "Anything Can Happen". Let yourself go and "Let's Go Fly a Kite"! The Sherman Brothers outdid themselves with this score. It is so singable and joyous to hear and will forever remain so. P. L. Travers' stories really transform the characters from cardboard cutouts into human beings who care about family and the joy of living with one another.

Rush to buy tickets as next weekend is the final chance you will get to see this glorious production of Mary Poppins. Bravo!

http://www.cabrillomusictheatre.com/

To post a comment, you must register and login.