Mary Poppins at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Matthew Murphy: from left to right: Mark Evans (Bert), Elena Shaddow (Mary Poppins), John Michael Pitera (Michael Banks), Abbie Grace Levi (Jane Banks).
Review
The movie Mary Poppins made many people fans of the heart-warming story of the wise, somehow magical nanny. If you missed seeing it when it ran on Broadway, don’t despair! Mary Poppins is playing on the big stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse and it is as good as seeing it on Broadway. This musical is a most delightful show for the entire family to see. Careful attention has been paid to make sure that every detail is perfect and it is. The cast, music, singing, dancing, sets, and special effects all make for a memorable time at the theater.
Mary Poppins is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. This production is directed by Mark Hoebee.
Elena Shaddow plays the lead role as Mary Poppins. Ms. Shaddow’s beautiful voice soars easily through the songs. Her stance and manner of holding her hands slightly folded are both perfect. She looks like she has been playing this part for years. Mark Evans plays chimney sweep Bert with an easy going manner that makes him the right companion for Ms. Poppins to work with on her tasks. His fine singing and graceful dance steps keep him in time with the hard-working ensemble as they perform the show stopping dance numbers.
The family who Mary Poppins comes to help includes Adam Monley as George Banks and Jill Paice as Winifred Banks who turn in fabulous performances. The children are absolutely adorable and so enthusiastic in the show. Performing in those roles are Abbie Grace Levi and Madi Shaer as Jane with Maddox Padgett and John Michael Pitera as Michael.
Part of the charm of the story are the many characters who add great humor and poignancy to the show. There are Dierdre Friel as Mrs. Brill, Liz McCartney as Bird Woman/Miss Andrew, Bill Nolte as Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman, Blakely Slaybaugh as Robertson Ay, and Danielle K. Thomas as Mrs. Corry
With choreography by Denis Jones and music direction by Meg Zervouli, the ensemble dance numbers provide some of the biggest highlights of the show. “Jolly Holiday,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and “Step in Time” are three of the standouts in the show that had the audience cheering.
The talented ensemble includes Tim Capodice, Peyton Crim, Mary Beth Donahoe, Adena Ershow, Will Geoghegan, Curtis Holland, Joshua Israel, Madison Johnson, Hannah Jewel Kohn, Robin Lounsbury. Also performing are Brian Thomas Martin, Andrew Metzgar, Corinne Munsch, Natasha Natraj, Caylie Rose Newcom, Sean Quinn, Drew Redington, Jack Sippel, Bronwyn Tarboton, Clay Thomson, and John T. Wolfe.
Finally, the sets, costumes, and other parts of the show all add to the magic that is Mary Poppins. The creative team includes set design by Timothy R. Mackabee, scenic coordination by Libby Stadstad, costume design by Leon Dobkowski, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Randy Hansen, with hair, wig & makeup design by Leah J. Loukas. The production stage manager is Frank Lombardi.
It’s a little sad at the end when Mary Poppins has to move on to other places where she is needed. And sadly for Paper Mill Playhouse theater goers, the end of the run for this show will be on June 25, 2017. But until then, tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.
Additional Information
The Paper Mill Playhouse is at 22 Brookside , Millburn, NJ
Audio-described performances for Mary Poppins are on Saturday, June 17, 2017, 1:30pm and Sunday, June 18, 2017, 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars.
A sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance is scheduled on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at 7:00pm.
A special autism-friendly performance of Mary Poppins is scheduled for on Friday, June 23, at 1:30pm.
Free Audience Enrichment Activities for Mary Poppins include:
- Conversation Club: Thursday evenings, June 1, 8 or 15 one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering.
- Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee on Saturday, June 17
For additional information, please visit www.papermill.org.
Curtain Call
Opening Night is always a time for celebration when a show like Mary Poppins opens. Here are a few scenes from that event.
Elena Shaddow as Mary Poppins — at Paper Mill Playhouse. Photograph: © Spotlights Photography
The cast of ‘Mary Poppins’ at Paper Mill Playhouse. Photograph: © Spotlights Photography
See more photos of the Curtain Call taken by Spotlights Photography on Let’s Go to the Theater’s Facebook page.
Opening Night Celebration
To celebrate Opening Night, a gathering at the Charlie Brown’s Restaurant in Millburn was held. The cast and creatives stopped by the Red Carpet first for some photos.
Mark Evans (Bert), Elena Shaddow (Mary Poppins) and Mark S Hoebe (Director and Producing Artistic Director of Paper Mill Playhouse — at Paper Mill Playhouse Photograph: © Spotlights Photography
Female ensemble — at Paper Mill Playhouse. Photograph: © Spotlights Photography
See more photos on the Red Carpet taken by Spotlights Photography on Let’s Go to the Theater’s Facebook.
