For the Townsman
Mount Baker Wild Theatre will soon reveal Mary Poppins like you’ve never seen her before. In a stage version of the well-known stories, based on the books by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney movie, the iconic nanny will pop in and out of your life with an army of helpers to entertain you.
Presley Armstrong plays the title role. Bert, the chimney sweep, is played by Noah Tonge. Be prepared to embrace these two as their own versions of the beloved characters — they really do bring original touches to the roles. Other Mount Baker students in the cast include Dakota Rowan as George Banks, Jelena Jensen as Winifred Banks, Emily Penner as Mrs. Brill and Josiah Spyker as Robertson Ay. Abby Lalach and Georgia Hamilton play Jane and Michael Banks, respectively.
For this production, Wild Theatre welcomes back a terrific creative team, including set designer Dave Hill, costume designer Penny Medig and lighting designer Dean Panttaja. First-time conductor Caitlin Matwey helms the orchestra pit. Mary Hamilton directs and Siona Jackson is back as choreographer.
“We will never find the perfect nanny,” cry the Banks family as their umpteenth nanny storms out the door, fed up with the children’s naughty antics. Mary Poppins shows up just in time, steps ahead of the Banks’s biggest crisis, which serves as the central conflict of the stage version of the story. Here, Mary Poppins fulfills the important task of minding the children while the family heals, teaching them all to care for each other. “Have you asked yourself who looks after the fathers when things go wrong?” she asks.
Amidst the family drama are magic, music, games, and fun. Join in, will you? With a book by Julian Fellowes (of Downton Abbey fame), the show features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B Sherman with new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. The show is co-created by Cameron Mackintosh, also known for producing Les Miserables, Cats and Phantom of the Opera.
Mary Poppins plays at the Key City Theatre May 5-7 at 7:30 pm and May 8 at 2:30 pm. Opening night features a reception catered by The Green Door with live entertainment from Sarah Turk, Lu Williams and Paris Parisien. Tickets are available at the Key City Theatre Box office, by calling (250) 426-7006 or online through the Key City Theatre website.
