Two from Saline in "Mary Poppins" at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian

There are two weekends left to see “Mary Poppins” in downtown Adrian at the Croswell Opera House, the musical based on the classic P. L. Travers book and Walt Disney film. The whimsical story features a “practically perfect” nanny who enchants a London family at the turn of the 20th century.

Abby Dotz from Saline plays multiple ensemble and dance roles including a wind-up toy in the song, “Playing the Game.” Mary Rumman, known to SAP audiences, plays Miss Andrew, the original nanny to George Banks, nicknamed, “The Holy Terror,” She sings another song included in the stage show, “Brimstone and Treacle.”

“This is a truly magical story that generations of children have fallen in love with,” said Jere Righter, artistic director of the Croswell. “And it’s also the kind of show where everyone in the family can find something that speaks to them, some lesson to appreciate.”

Director Julianne Dolan said the show tells a story about a troubled family learning to embrace life and open themselves up to wonder. “The creative team is helping to make the Croswell version truly our own and you won’t want to miss it,” Dolan said. “Anyone who reads the story has a vision — you can see it and smell it in your imagination. Transferring the story to the stage really brings it to life.” The music director is Burch Marshall and the choreographer is Sarah Nowak. The gorgeous costumes are created by Susan Eversden.

Leah Fox, the actress playing the title role, living in Ypsilanti, describes the show as a joyful, optimistic story about a family learning to connect with each other. The role of Bert, Dick Van Dyke’s character in the film, is played by Kyle Sell of Blissfield. Bert is the cheerful chimney sweep who helps the children learn the lessons Mary Poppins is teaching them, and Sell said playing such an iconic character is an interesting challenge.

In addition to Fox and Sell, the production features Chloe Danley of Tecumseh and Cole Carrico of Adrian as Jane and Michael Banks, the children in Mary Poppins’ care. Steve Antalek and Michelle Force, both of Adrian, play Mr. and Mrs. Banks, and the household servants are played by Erin Pifer and Xavier Sarabia of Adrian.

Lori MacDonald of Adrian plays Katie Nanna, the nanny who’s driven away by the children’s hijinks. Becca Nowak of Britton is Mrs. Corry, the candy store owner who sets up one of the show’s most famous songs, and her daughters, Annie and Fannie, are played by real-life sisters Reilly and Mollie Cardella of Tecumseh. Rounding out the cast are Jessica Adams, Sheli Allen, Jon Antalek, Matthew Antalek, Audrey Force, Emily Hribar, Elizabeth Pifer, Charlie Raab, Aaron Shown, Peter Stewart, Katherine Timm, and Jonathan Tobar, all of Adrian; Brittany Essen of Blissfield; Maggie Page of Clarklake; Nathan VanAtta of Clinton; Logan Balcom of Hillsdale; Patrick Yee of Huntington; Steven Kiss of Lambertville; Joanna Bacarella of Monroe; Eryn Book of Petersburg; Meg Grezak of Sylvania; Tom Hodgman, Tommy Hodgman, Mark Hyre, Meg McNamee, and Wade Ondrovick, all of Tecumseh; Emily Ialacci of Temperance; and Erin Ripley of Waterville, Ohio.

“Mary Poppins” will run two more weekends, June 19-21, and June 26-28. Tickets range from $15 to $35. The Croswell is at 129 E. Maumee St. in downtown Adrian. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 517-264-7469 or go to croswell.org. Tickets are selling fast!  (Photo credit:  wePhoto).