Theater Review: "Mary Poppins" at Musicals at Richter

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

Musicals at Richter in Danbury is performing a wonderfully magical production of “Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins The Broadway Musical” under the stars in Danbury. MAR holds the title of Connecticut’s longest-running outdoor theater.

The musical version of “Mary Poppins” is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the beloved Walt Disney film. Of course, it must retain the original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, and there are new songs and additional music and lyrics written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The book for the stage show was written by Julian Fellowes and it was co-created by Cameron Mackintosh.

MAR’s Executive Director Robert Bria reminds audiences that this show is filled with unforgettable songs, strong dancing and surprising theatrical moments and gentle humor, making it one of the most beloved family musicals ever written. “ It reminds us that kindness is transformative, that laughter is essential, and that sometimes the greatest adventures begin with simply believing that anything is possible. Its message is one of hope, joy and the enduring power of love.”

Kate Kovacs directed the MAR production making sure to include the youngest members of the cast as often as possible. The director shares in her program note that their “goal has been to honor the nostalgia so many audience members carry with them while creating an experience that feels fresh and welcoming for a new generation.” Kovacs and the talented cast and crew have managed to do just that.

Helen Seda is not only “Practically Perfect” in the role of the prickly nanny Mary Poppins, but she also shines in every way. Seda shows off her lovely soprano singing voice in her performance and nails the sometimes-stern nature of her character.

Rob Fontenelli does well with the Cockney accent needed for the role of charming Bert the chimney sweep (among other things) who narrates the story with “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

Bob Roda plays the role of the staid George Banks with “Precision and Order” and Laura Huling is a lovely Winifred Banks, who in the musical is a former actress and not a suffragette. The Banks children are played well by Katherine Hadermayer as Jane and Brendan Famularo as Michael.

Ashley McLeod returns to this stage to take on another role of a villain as George’s mean nanny Miss Andrew (“Brimstone and Treacle.”) The evil nanny takes on Mary Poppins and loses. This is the perfect character role for McLeod, who also appears as the statue of Queen Victoria. Barbara Kessler appears in the featured role of Mrs. Corry, the owner of the conversation shop that gives birth to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”

Priscilla Squiers gets to sing the beautiful “Feed the Birds” in her role as Bird Woman and Hailey Mott dances beautifully in her role of the park statue Neleus. All of the named supporting roles are brought to life well by talented community theater performers.

Vycki Higley plays the overwhelmed Katie Nanna who leaves the family in the first act and Angie Joachim is Miss Lark with her dog. In the Banks household are the tiny Joan Velez Roberts as the formidable Mrs. Brill and Nicky Eklund as the butler Robertson Ay.

Kudos to Music Director Vincent Fontenelli for ensuring that the singers mastered every note of the lovely score and for leading the musicians in the tent on the ground at stage right while playing keyboard one. The orchestra sounded great, perfectly accompanying the talented vocalists. The harmonies in the quartet “Let’s Hope She Will Stay” are a wonder.

Lights and sound work extremely well in the outdoor space.It is so much fun to watch the cast members in costume help the stage managers (dressed like penguins) move the set pieces out to the stage, some of them in character. Even when some of the magical elements in the Banks’ kitchen didn’t operate perfectly, this production captures all of the magic contained in this delightful show.

There is a large teen ensemble dressed in their 1910 London period-appropriate costumes and dancing up a storm. In addition, the six featured dancers appear in several scenes, and the three members of the adult ensemble, including Sonya Alexander, round out the large ensemble. Melissa Arizzi choreographed the charming dance numbers, with plenty of tapping for “Step in Time.”

Sections of the lawn were soaked at the performance that I attended, but a few patrons came prepared with rain boots. Bring a jacket for when the sun goes down, bug spray and a picnic if you like. “Anything Can Happen” in this excellent MAR production and I encourage everyone to try to catch one of the remaining performances only through Aug. 8, weather permitting. Grab your tickets at MusicalsAtRichter.org