By Amy Metler
I was very excited to attend LaForge Encore Theatre Company’s production of Disney’s Mary Poppins. The Broadway musical is based on the stories of PL Travers and the Walt Disney film. It’s the classic Disney story we’ve all come to love with added musical numbers, a few plot twists, and lots of magic. You’ll be wanting to dance on the roof tops with the chimney sweeps. 
Director Carol LaForge does an excellent job telling the story of a magical nanny who blows in and out with the wind to help a broken British family learn to love and appreciate each other again. I was surprised and pleased to see a live orchestra providing the accompaniment and Conductor David Blanchard and orchestra add another layer, which helps make this production great. Set designers LaForge and Aleta Boyce create a great set that rotates to transport the audience to different parts of London. The stage crew could use a bit more help to make scene changes quicker, but it is nice there is a crew and scene changes are relying solely on actors.
Mary Poppins opens with Bert played by Spencer Jensen, easily my favorite of the night. His voice is melodious and pleasant to listen to, he makes Bert fun and lovable and wows the audience with his acrobatics. Brianna Lyman is the title character and is magical, whimsical and enchanting. Lyman has a beautiful voice although at times it was difficult to understand all the words especially to the non-movie unknown songs. She interacts well with the Banks children played by Afton Orgill and Dallin Bothell. Orgill and Bothell held their own on a stage with adults and charmed the audience. I was initially surprised with Michael being the older sibling but it works well. Colton Fowler makes you hate him as the miserly, uncaring George Banks and does well transitioning to the man Winifred Banks (Shana Nelson) wishes he was.
The ensemble is full of talent. I love the antics of Mrs. Brill (Nolana Lord) and Cassidy Ellenberger as the Holy Terror Miss Andrew makes you hate her. My favorite song is “Feed the Birds” and I thoroughly enjoyed the tenderness Jeanette Hansen brought to the number.
Choreographer Pamela Giles and the chimney sweeps amaze the audience with “Step in Time” and “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” allows the ensemble to really shine.
Disney’s Mary Poppins is a great summer favorite and your family will love the production at the LaForge Encore Theatre Company. Step in Time over and enjoy Mary Poppins in Toole soon! Definitely worth the drive to Tooele–it’s not as far as you might think.
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LaForge Encore Theatre presents Disney’s Mary Poppins, music and lyrics by the Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (aka the Sherman Brothers, with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and a script by Julian Fellowes
Tooele High School, 301 W Vine Street Tooele, Utah 84074
June 14-17, 19-24, 7:00 PM
Tickets: $10.00 and can be purchased online
La Forge Theatre Company Facebook Page
Mary Poppins Facebook Event
Thank you! I wish you could come see it again – we have pretty much worked out the bugs since the night you came (which was the 2nd performance) Things are definitely looking up. I appreciate your comments and your attendance at our show.