MARY POPPINS

MARY POPPINS – Music and Lyrics by Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman, George Stiles, and Anthony Drewe; Book by Julian Fellowes; Directed by Shannan Steele; Choreographed by Christie Zimmerman; Music Direction by Brandon Bill and Alec Steinhorn.  Produced by Parker Arts and Give 5 Productions (Presented at the PACE Center, 200000 Pikes Peak Drive, Parker) through February 9th.  Tickets available at 303-805-800 or ParkerArts.org. 

This version of MARY POPPINS currently playing at the PACE Center has everything you want (even a little more) in a Mary Poppins.  A charming but proper Mary, familiar spritely music, a sweet story about family connections and lessons learned by adults through the wisdom of children, a battalion of talented dancers, a versatile and whimsical Bert, a deadly scary Miss Andrews, and a production team that makes it look easy. 

Madison Falkenstine is the lynchpin of this production – the center from which all action flows.  An opera-trained singer, she handles all aspects of this character with confidence and talent – including her flying entrances and exits with ease and aplomb.  She is sweet but strict with the children in her care, respectful and all-knowing with the parents and staff of the Banks household, and charming with her friend Bert.  I’ve always wondered what the back story was between these two; this production adds in a little note of flirt. 

Alison Mueller shines as Mrs. Banks who, as a character, comes into her strength through the example of the never-wrong Mary.  But as an actress, she handles the humble, stands up for her man, and regains her confidence.  She plays both “befuddled” and “triumphant” equally well and is fun to watch as she grows into the latter. 

Bert is given a cocky confidence by Clark Destin Jones. He even brings the surety of his own talent into the impossible appearing upside-down dance.  How terrifying that must have been the first time it was rehearsed!  Clark has a sweetness of personality that shines through as he leads his cadre of chimney sweepers through their paces.  

There are other performers who contribute mightily to this storytelling.  There is Jeremy Rill as the misguided Mr. Banks.  Heather McClain provides the polar opposite of Mary’s gentle nature in the dreaded Miss Andrew.  Her challenging sing-off with Mary is easily the most frightening scene of all.  Yet Heather shows her brighter side by leading the action in the candy shop as Mrs. Correy, devising the children’s special magic word.  And the young actors playing the Banks children were delightful in their naughtiness.  Since those parts are double-cast, I’m not sure which pair I saw perform.  but Caleb Brummel, Marion Cafe, Ethan Hershman, and Sofie Preece are to be congratulated – whichever pair I saw.  Brionne Aigne has the honor of playing the Bird Lady, one of the most poignant roles ever written and one of the loveliest songs ever sung. 

All of these players are backed up by an ensemble of incredible singers and dancers who make short work of all the dance sequences.  Choreographer Christie Zimmerman and her Dance Captain, Chelley Canales, have created a smoothly synchronized corps de all-kinds-of-dance.  You can tell the dancers are having fun by the “See what we’re doing!” looks on their faces.  What fun!  Special kudos to Kellie Fox for her balletic turn as Neleus, a statue come to life. 

The cast is dressed by Nikki Harrison, who never misses to provide authentic costumes that add to the character and create a colorful aspect to the story. The Set Design by Brian Watson and constructed by Steven McDonald’s interns in the DU stagecraft program contributed to the beauty of the production but needed a fistful of fast-moving stagehands to move the scenes in and out.  What wouldn’t every theatre give for more wing space? 

My original assessment holds – this production of MARY POPPINS has everything you want in a MARY POPPINS. 

A WOW factor of 9!! 

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