MARRY POPPINS Begins 3/9 at Temple Sinai

Just take an umbrella ride from Philadelphia to Ambler March 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th for the premiere of Temple Sinai's version of Disney Theatricals and Cameron Mackintosh's "Mary Poppins." Everyone is familiar with the PL Travers story of a myteriously magical nanny who comes to saves the children of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, but nobody has ever seen it like this before.

Temple Sinai's production features the direction of Philadelphia director, Kevin Stackhouse, coming off the successful run of Merin and Wart at Tavern on Camac. Stackhouse focuses more on the darker elements of PL Travers' story to juxtapose next to the famous 1964 film's light-hearted frivolity. "Mary Poppins is one-part guardian angel, one part supernanny and one part human. Playing her, in my opinion, requires the comic delivery of Gene Wilder, the vocal percision of Barbara Cook and the agility of Gwen Verdon."

Playing the role of Mary Poppins is Food Network production manager, Lainie Cottrell, whom embodies all the elemtns of Mary into a complete and unparalled package. "Lainie is a natural leader," remakrs Stackhouse. "People see Mary Poppins when she walks in the door and not even a pin dares to drop. Most importantly, people give their all when and look to Lainie for guidance. She is a natural leader, and it is a pleasure to watch her costnant process of evolving."

"Every day we are challenging ourselves to make this story our own," continues Stackhouse. "It is hard for contemporary audiences to realize how stifiling it was to be a child during the time Mary Poppins takes place. Jane and Michael Banks are special children in that regard. Despite the strictness and aloofness of their parents, they still have more liberties than most children, making them the perfect candidates for Mary Poppins, who, at least in my rekindling, seeks nationwide social change. Having come from the strict, oligarchical society of Queen Victoria, Jane and Michael are rapidly being forced into a world of democracy, and nobody, except Mary, can pepare these children for the inevitable responsibility of living in a democracy."

Accompanying Stackhouse's direction is the choreography of his younger brother, Brendan Stackhouse, fresh from being an assoicate choreogrpaher for the Broadway show, "Fun Home." His New York credits include "Naked Boys Singing," "NEWSical: The Musical," "Once Upon a Mattress at Transport Theatre Company," and will be retuning to choreogrpah the latest Off-Broadway "The Marvelous Wonderettes," for D'Angora Entertainment.

Brednan's staged dances are raw, exemplifying not only the elements in which the character's face, such as panting after a tap line, as soot-filled chimney-sweeps would, but letting the actors explore ho their bodies interperate the movement. The audience will see the inner workings of the Bank through the ensemble, "Let's GO Flye a Kite," will require aerodynamic skill of the performers.

In addition to excellent choreography, a team of spectacular desingers are coming together to make Mary Poppins a true testmanet to the Edwardian period that it takes place in. Bobby Goodrich, who played the famous drag queen, Divine in Mimi Imfurst's "Divine/Intervention," Off-Broadway, has teamed up with Karen Knodel and Chelsea Pisula to design the costumes for the show. "Much to our delight, we have acquired the skills of the most innovative costume designer Philly has to offer. We plan to have onstage costume changes, costume pieces that reveal that magical word, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and other surprises." states Kevin Stackhouse proudly. "We have even acquired the skills of Flying by Foy, who pattented the flying mechanisms used in the original Broadway production of Mary Poppins. This has made the costume design even more of a worthwhile endeavor for the designers."

Adam Iezzi of L'Etage's Envoue Magic Burlesque is providing all of the magic tricks for Mary Poppins. Ranging from making a bed appear out of thin air, to making sparks appear from Miss Andrew, Mary's main protagonist, played by co-producer Joanne Shanzer, rise from her fingertips. Luckily for Temple Sinai, these allusions are helped along by the ingenious sets of Murrie and Shea Gayman. Known in this area for their frescoes, sculptures and paintings, this artistic couple's work can be seen across the Delaware Valley, including Buck's County's Churchville Inn.

Temple Sinai has provided a rich and encouraging atmosphere for spiritual devotion for the members of the Ambler/ Drescher/ Upper Dublin communities, and is the focal point for hospitality and community service for all people. On January 17th, the children of the congregaton took part in a project to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Moreover, the Temple Sinai players has been the brainchild of congregant, Joel Rosenwasser. Joel has been the champion for TSP, serving as producer, and continues to dedicate his time to helping it's current producer, powerhouse, Judy Thalheimer. "Judy is my rock. She is the first person at rehearsal and the last to leave. Nothing about this production would be possible without her attentiveness to detail, the selfles devotion to the needs of the cast, and the knowledge to fill every part, and tie up every loose end." says Stackhouse.

For over 50 years, Temple Sinai has been an enthusiastic and committed provider of quality theatrical arts to the Jewish community. Founding rabbi Dr. Sidney Greenberg, wrote a message to the congregation that still holds true today on the eve of their first production.

"Nothing beautiful happens where love is absent. There can be no flames of sacrifice unless they are fed by the fuel of great devotion. The dedicated men and women who poured long, hard hours into the show were moved by a great love for the synagogue."

Mary Poppins plays March 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th at 1401 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA.

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