Mary Poppins
San Francisco Playhouse
588 Sutter Street, San Francisco
sfplayhouse.org
Until Jan 12, 2019
A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney FilmOriginal 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; Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh
Directed by Susi Damilano
Music direction by Katie Coleman
Reviewed by Christine Okon
San Francisco Playhouse’s production of Mary Poppins is absolutely delightful, bringing us the spoonful of sugar we need to stomach these stressful times.
Based on the Broadway musical and the 1964 Disney film which was in turn based on the book by P.L. Travers, this version of Mary Poppins honors the shadows as well as the joy in the story of the magical, quirky nanny who saves the spirit of the Banks family (George, Winifred, Jane and Michael) in early 20th century England.
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Bert the Chimney Sweep (Wiley Naman Strasser) |
The incorrigible Banks children (Ruth Keith as Jane and David Ruskin as Michael) have burned through several nannies, much to the frustration of their mother Winifred Banks (Abby Haug), the bustling cook Mrs. Brill (Marie Shell), and servant Robertson Ay (Rod Voltaire Edora). As soon as the children voice the wording of the ad they’d like to place for “The Perfect Nanny,” there’s a knock at the door. As if by magic (and indeed it is magic), Mary Poppins appears in her crisp dress and carpetbag, ready to step into the job. El Beh gives us a solid, no-nonsense Mary Poppins, a “bit of a badass---and I like that,” as my theater companion said. Mary Poppins sees herself as “Practically Perfect” and is honest and direct; her example provides structure and guidance rooted in love, not control. She teaches Michael and Jane to own their actions and take responsibility for the repercussions of their decisions.
Mary Poppins opens up a world of whimsy and discovery, leading to some sparkling scenes where toys come to life, as in “Playing the Game,” with Gina Velez as “Valentine” and ensemble spinning in a kaleidoscope of colorful costumes as fun as a pile of unopened gifts under the Christmas tree. A big thumbs-up to costume designer Abra Berman and wig designer Laundra Tyne for creating the closest thing to a Disney animation on stage.
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A Kaleidoscope of Color |
Bravo to the set, prop and lighting designers (Nina Ball, Jacquelyn Scott, and Patrick Toebe) who created the rotating stage where each setting--the rooftops and sky, the children’s bedroom, the Banks home, the park--unfolds like a pop-up storybook being read to you in an easy chair.
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Mary Poppins (El Beh) arrives |
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Katrina Lauren McGraw as the Bird Woman |
Bravo to director Susi Damilano for bringing us an outstanding synchronization of acting, staging, music, dance and fun. Give yourself a chance to snatch a little bit of joy this holiday season, and you’ll even get to see Mary Poppins fly!
MARY POPPINS
CAST
El Beh
MARY POPPINS
Dominic Dagdagan
NORTHBROOK/ NELEUS/ ENSEMBLE
Ryan Drummond*
GEORGE BANKS
Rod Voltaire Edora
Rod Voltaire Edora*
ROBERTSON AY/ PARK KEEPER/ ENSEMBLE
Rudy Guerrero*
POLICEMAN/ VON HUSSLER/ ENSEMBLE
Kathryn Han*
MISS LARK/ MISS SMYTHE/ ENSEMBLE
Abby Haug*
WINIFRED BANKS
Billy Hutton
MICHAEL BANKS
Grace Hutton
JANE BANKS
Ruth Keith
JANE BANKS
Sophia LaPaglia
KATIE NANNA/ MRS. CORRY/ ENSEMBLE
Catrina Manahan
ENSEMBLE
Jessica Mann
SWING
Katrina Lauren McGraw*
BIRD WOMAN/ MISS ANDREW/ ENSEMBLE
Anthony Rollins-Mullens*
ADMIRAL BOOM/ BANK CHAIRMAN/ ENSEMBLE
David Rukin
MICHAEL BANKS
Marie Shell*
MRS. BRILL/ QUEEN VICTORIA
David Stein
SWING
Wiley Naman Strasser
BERT
Gina Velez
VALENTINE/
Ruth Keith
JANE BANKS
Sophia LaPaglia
KATIE NANNA/ MRS. CORRY/ ENSEMBLE
Catrina Manahan
ENSEMBLE
Jessica Mann
SWING
Katrina Lauren McGraw*
BIRD WOMAN/ MISS ANDREW/ ENSEMBLE
Anthony Rollins-Mullens*
ADMIRAL BOOM/ BANK CHAIRMAN/ ENSEMBLE
David Rukin
MICHAEL BANKS
Marie Shell*
MRS. BRILL/ QUEEN VICTORIA
David Stein
SWING
Wiley Naman Strasser
BERT
Gina Velez
VALENTINE/ ENSEMBL
CREATIVE TEAM
Cameron Mackintosh
CO-CREATOR
P.L. Travers
AUTHOR
Sherman Brothers
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
ORIGINAL MUSIC AND LYRICS
Julian Fellowes
BOOK
George Stiles
ADDITIONAL MUSIC AND LYRICS
Anthony Drewe
ADDITIONAL MUSIC AND LYRICS
Susi Damilano
DIRECTOR
Katie Coleman
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Kimberly Richards
CHOREOGRAPHER
Nina Ball
SCENIC DESIGNER
Abra Berman
COSTUME DESIGNER
Theodore J.H. Hulsker
SOUND DESIGNER
PROJECTIONS DESIGNER
Patrick Toebe
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Jacquelyn Scott
PROPERTIES ARTISAN
Sarah Selig
STAGE MANAGER
Angela Knutson
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Shannon R. Carroll
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Maria Kosta
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Mike "Miguel" Martinez
SPECIAL EFFECTS DIRECTOR
Eliana Adise
STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERN
Caitlin McFann
STAGE MANAGEMENT INTERN
Dori Jacob
CASTING DIRECTOR
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