By Eliza Een with Alayna Een and Jennifer Mustoe
The Broadway musical Mary Poppins, adapted from the P. L. Travers’ stories, takes the stage at the SCERA Outdoor Shell in Orem, Utah, and Front Row Reviewers has a review for you! This musical expands on the Disney film by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman with new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe and book by Julian Fellowes. The story centers on the Banks family who live in Edwardian London and are interviewing nannies for their two rambunctious children, Jane and Michael. Mary Poppins soars into their life, inspiring wonder and leaving chaos in her wake—from secret shops, dancing statues, and cherubic chimney sweeps. It turns out to be just what the Banks family needs. In Mary Poppins’ brief absence from the Banks home at the end of act 1, Mrs. Banks hires her husband’s former nanny, Miss Andrew, whose tyrannical methods help the family realize how much they still have to learn from Mary Poppins. As they strengthen their family bonds and grow as individuals, Mary knows it’s time to leave the Banks family in their own capable hands.
It’s a jolly holiday with Mary Poppins, played by Amber Roberts. She is perfectly crisp in her lines, delivery, choreography, movements, and tongue-in-cheek personality. Bert (Scott Sackett) is the charming bard that brings the story together with sung narration. Sackett gets to show off his tap-dancing skills and take to the sky in the high-flying “Step in Time,” and is supported by an ensemble of talented dancing chimney sweeps.
The head of the family, George Banks, is played by Garett Smit. He starts out as the stern out-of-touch father, but we see Smit soften up as his character goes through a change of heart. Smit’s expressive movements highlight both the anger and later excitement of his character. Winifred Banks (Kelsea Kocherhans Smellie) finds her own stride in “Being Mrs. Banks.” Smellie’s Winifred is a people-pleaser, but we see her learn to stand up for herself and her family, a contrast that Smellie makes with clear acting choices.
The Banks children Jane (Summer Olenik) and Michael (Hunter Jones) work well together as onstage siblings and give the audience a glimpse into their childlike wonder. As Olenik and Jones learn from Mary Poppins, their interactions with their family and other characters become more friendly and affectionate. They even get to spread their metaphorical wings and take to the sky!
The most beautiful, somber moment of the show for me is when we are finally introduced to the Bird Woman (Luone Ingram). Ingram embodies the sweet humility and genuine goodness of the character. And it really made me think deeper about the message of her song, “Feed the Birds,” and how it forms the moral center of the show. The new character of Miss Andrew (Emily Hawkes) forms an interesting foil to Mary Poppins. Hawkes is severe and demanding, and it’s a challenging role to play. I was really impressed by Hawkes’ vocal abilities in nailing the high notes in her song, “Brimstone and Treacle.”
The ensemble and supporting cast provide a lot of variety during the show and allow the named characters to interact in meaningful ways that showcase their character growth. Seeing the stage filled from side to side, and even pouring into the audience at the end, brings so much positive energy into the show.
Bringing a show of this size and caliber together is an impressive feat, but director Kelsey Mariner Thompson rises like a kite to the occasion. From the follow-through on character arcs and to the well-tuned group harmonies to the cohesive interactions of actors of all ages, her careful direction shines through. Keeping all the steps in time is choreographer Rebecca Boberg. In show-stopping numbers such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” the audience’s eye is consistently drawn to skillful dancing, feats of athleticism, and unified movement—a difficult feat in a cast this size. Costume Designer Kelsey Seaver keeps the cast outfitted for a wide variety of scenes, with colorful clothes, dusty uniforms, and grayscale business attire. Mary’s costumes are especially fun and fit for flying, with an angle-hemmed blazer and matching skirt in bright colors.
The SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre sets are always dazzling, and this is especially true for Mary Poppins. Scenic Designer Tina Fontana and her crew of carpenters and painters have created a magical place for the players to sing and dance. My six-year-old was fascinated by the “ship” on the right side of the stage, which houses the cannon that announces the start of acts 1 and 2. The details of the Banks’s house and its moving parts that highlight the magic of Mary Poppins are a fun surprise, and my kiddo is still gushing about it! The stage crew did a great job of keeping the magic as alive as possible during scene changes. And speaking of magic, the flying effects provided by ZFX Inc. and supported by fly lead Ethan Harrison are really a must for Mary Poppins. Several characters and members of the ensemble take to the skies in a way that is fun and safe.
I love going to outdoor theaters in the summer, and have ever since I was my own rambunctious kid! The SCERA makes it easy for you to enjoy the performance in whatever way is most comfortable to you, either in chairs or on blankets in the grass (with some breathing room and open air for little audience members who need some wiggle time). So enjoy the open air and talented cast with Mary Poppins at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre!
A review by Front Row Reviewers.
SCERA Center for the Arts presents Disney’s Mary Poppins
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 South 400 East, Orem, UT 84097
June 9–24, 2023, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday–Saturday, 8:00 PM
Tickets: General Admission: $14 Adult, $12 Child/Senior; Reserved B: $18 Adult, $16 Child/Senior; Reserved A: $20 Adult, $18 Child/Senior (Child: 3–11; Senior: 65+)
Contact: 801-225-ARTS
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre Facebook Page
Photo by Rachael Gibson.
Great review! What a fun outdoor activity that the whole family will enjoy. Our loved it from beginning to end. We were awed by the talent as well as the setting up against the beautiful mountains! This is a must see!