The two-week run of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical” concluded April 17 at the Haugh Performing Arts Center and the audience, young and old, were treated to a spectacle of music and fun.
For people who grew up watching the Walt Disney film based on P.L. Traver’s story, the production brought to life what they saw on the screen and brought it to the big stage.
The show was directed and choreographed by John Vaughn and music was directed by Douglas Austin, which included a live orchestra conducted by William Hoehne. The two and a half hour production captivated the audience with the scenes and music people grew up loving.
The Citrus Visual and Performing Arts Department built the cast. Kylie Molnar, who played the part of Mary Poppins, and Josh Tangermann, playing the part of Bert, embodied their characters and were backed by a strong supporting cast.
From the elegant wardrobe to the beautiful sets, the audience was ingrained into the scene. With clever backstage tricks, the audience got to see Mary Poppins’ magic come to life in song and dance, including watching her fly on stage. The familiar music numbers were flawless, thanks to an exceptional orchestra that played masterfully from start to finish.
Songs like “A Spoonful of Sugar” to “Chim Chim Cher-ee” to the ever famous “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” had the audience sing along to some of their favorite tunes.
The number that stole the show was “Step in Time.” The audience watched the performers on stage tap dancing and singing one of Mary Poppins’ most enjoyable songs.
The culmination of hard work and a collective effort from many talented actors, actresses and directors brought the Haugh to life and for the audience, it indeed felt like a “Jolly Holiday with Mary.”
