Mary Poppins

In 2015 Lakeshore Productions, Inc. brought the wonderful story of Mary Poppins to the Random Lake stage.  Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for over 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family.  Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep.  Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again.  Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she affects.  Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “Anything can happen if you let it.” Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers, and astonishing stagecraft.

The 50+ -member cast included Amanda Desimowich as Mary Poppins, Joe Horstmeier as Bert, Zoe Vance-Poropat and Meghan Cemke double cast as Jane Banks, and Haley Harbison and Colleen Suhr also double cast in the role of Michael Banks.  The Banks’s parents, Winifred and George were played by Heather Hernandez and Bob Eichner.

The 20th anniversary musical was led by Leopold Shircel, an LPI veteran who made his directorial debut.  Other members of the production staff included Sarah Jensen as stage manager, Brian Falk as the music director/pit conductor, Alexia Horstmeier as choreographer, and Gary Lobermier as the technical director.  Jan Rogne and Dori Ross handled costume design, and hair and make-up design were headed by Jordyne Runkel and Maureen Schommer. 

This production surely made for a “Supercalfragilisticexpialidocious” summer for Lakeshore Productions Inc.