Mary Poppins a treat

CYNTHIA RAMSAY

The Arts Club Theatre Company production of Mary Poppins – featuring Jewish community members Warren Kimmel as Mr. Banks and Alissa Keogh in the chorus – is at Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage until Jan. 5. Featuring memorable songs from the film – “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” for example – as well as some songs only in the stage version, beautiful sets, rousing choreography and a few neat technical tricks, it would make a great family outing, rain or shine.

Based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, the musical Mary Poppins, co-created by Cameron Mackintosh, features original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with the book by Julian Fellowes, plus additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Set in early-1900s England, Mary Poppins tells the story of two precocious young siblings, Jane and Michael Banks, who yearn for the attention of their workaholic father, who spends more time at the bank where he works than with his family. Their mother is also hard to reach, as she is busy trying to be the kind of wife a banker should have, throwing all the right parties for all the right people. The children act out and go through nannies like water, until they finally meet their match in the (literally) magical Mary Poppins, who changes the family’s life for the better, of course.

Running approximately two-and-a-half hours (including the intermission), the Arts Club production features Sara-Jeanne Hosie as the title character, and a “practically perfect” one at that. Kimmel and Caitriona Murphy (as Mrs. Banks) have a nice chemistry on stage, and can both act and belt out a tune. Scott Walters as chimney-sweep Bert also has a beautiful voice, and he keeps up smartly with the other dancers in the highly charged, athletic tap number “Step in Time.” The adorable siblings are more than ably played by Kassia Danielle Malmquist as Jane and Graham Verchere as Michael. The rest of the cast is strong as well, as is the crew who put it all together, including director Bill Millerd, choreographer Valerie Easton, set designer Alison Green and costume designer Sheila White.

For tickets, visit artsclub.com.

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