LATHAM — Shaker Theatre’s production of “Marry Poppins” opens tonight and runs through Sunday.
Friday and Saturday the curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors and can be purchased with cash at the door or online here.
The musical is based on the children’s books by P.L. Travers and the classic Disney movie. The stage adaption opened in 2004.
The story begins on Cherry Tree Lane at the home of George and Winifred Banks, their two unruly children, Jane and Michael, their cook/maid, Mrs. Brill, and their butler Robertson Ay.
The nasty children chase away their nanny and write their own job description for a new one. Marry Poppins answers the ad and is hired and puts her mind on befriending. During an outing to the park, they meet Bert, a chimney sweep and important lesson about a book and its cover is learned.
As the children and Mary Poppins have their adventures, Winifred and George are having their own problems, personal and professional. Things degenerate at the Banks home and Mary Poppins leaves, to be replaced by George’s childhood evil nanny, Miss Andrew.
In response, Jane and Michael run away and find Bert, who cheers them up and teaches them to fly a kite. Mary Poppins flies in on an umbrella and reunites with the children.
They return to the house, setting off a confrontation between the two nannies and Miss Andrew ends up in a birdcage and vanishes.
Meanwhile, George receives a note from the bank and, presuming he will be fired, decides it’s time to sell the family heirloom. But, Mrs. Brill breaks the vase and goes into shock. George, though finds gingerbread stars from his childhood, leading to a spate of reflection, and goes off to the bank to face his fate.
The children encourage Winifred to accompany her husband and learns his business decisions have made a fortune.
With the family reunited and happy, Mary figures her job there is done, says goodbye to the Banks and Bert, with a kiss, and sets off.
The shaker production is just great, with students showing off powerful voices, a well-tuned orchestra pit, a fun choreography and, of course, a dedicated cast and crew.
It is directed by Amy Kimbler with musical direction by Samantha Baldwin. It is produced by Brook Grecco with choreography by J.J. Razzano and costumes by Sheryl Ferrell. The Technical director is Peter Suzuki with art design by Ansely Teal and lighting and sound by Brian Austin.
The cast includes:
- Mary Poppins: Ani Gregori Asadourian
- Bert: J.J. Razzano
- George Banks: Benson Jovel-Truong
- Winifred Banks: Ansley Teal
- Jane Banks: Sarah Biazon
- Michael Banks: Mark Cannistraci
- Mrs. Brill: Mia Raiti
- Robertson Ay: Henry Unser
- Katie Nanna: Olivia Gilbert
- Policeman: Connor Wheatley
- Miss Lark: Natalie Fox
- Admiral Boom: Bradley Cavanaugh
- Miss Andrew: Sandra Sheedy
- Park keeper: Jacob Ford
- Mr. Binnacle: Stephen Guba
- Bank chairman: Ben Montimurro
- Miss Smythe: Jessa Englemann
- Van Hussler: Andrew Yocum
- Northbrook: Jack Kalteux
- Bird Woman: Grace Commisso
- Mrs. Cory: Selma Fabregas
- Annie: Mia Sorrentino
- Fannie: Emmie Ashley
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