The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Well, the bar has certainly been set high for any future productions at the Liberty Theater. My attendance at Mary Poppins this past Friday night, was my first at Dayton's Main Street theater, and what a production it was!

The cast featured 59 actors with an extraordinary range, from the young man with the big, big voice, Carter Barron, who played Michael Banks, to Walla Walla resident Janine Wheeler who sparkled as the nanny, Mary Poppins. With music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, based on the P.L. Travers book, this rendition also includes new songs and additional music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe from the Broadway version by Cameron Mackintosh.

The action opens on the Banks' home on Cherry Tree Lane, where mother Winnifred Banks, played by Amanda Calvert, is distraught as yet another nanny leaves her employ. Her husband, banker George Banks (Jim Edwards) is gruff and annoyed.

Their children, including daughter Jane (Madison Ortuno) present him with a help wanted ad, in the form of the song, The Perfect Nanny. "You must be kind, you must be witty/

Very sweet and fairly pretty," they sing, and soon, descending from the heavens with her flying umbrella, appears "Practically Perfect" Ms. Poppins.

More magic commences as Mrs. Banks and her staff prepare to host a tea. Butler Roberston Ay (Paul Ihle) creates a catastrophe in the kitchen and the clever visual effects include a broken table and cabinet, and a pot rack that falls down. When a Spoonful of Sugar is sung, Mary magically rights all the furniture and frosts the cake.

Scenery changes from the Banks' home to the Park are handled deftly and quickly with painted backdrops that slide in and out with ease. On the children's first outing with Mary they meet Bert, played with charisma and verve by Sean Calvert. Statuary (Mohala Bramer, Jae Nichols, Laney Crow, Julia Dalan and Jasmine Ramsey) come to life and join in on the number Jolly Holiday.

Mary introduces the children to the Bird Woman played by Mariah Harter, whose short solo is a standout performance. They learn a lesson about compassion before encountering Mrs. Corry's (played by Director Elizabeth Arebalos-Jagelski) sweet shop, a magical place that also sells words.

The letters they select spell, you guessed it, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and the stage explodes in a riot of colorful polka dots, stripes and 35 performers singing, dancing and making merry. Kudos to choreographers Darla Brownell-Tubbs, Patti Jo Amerein and Tracy Barron for making great use of every square inch of the Liberty's petite stage.

Upon returning home, the children discover that things have gone wrong for their father. Mr. Banks has been put on probation by the bank, and the children fight over a toy, prompting Mary to leave Cherry Tree Lane to bring them to their senses.

In an attempt to please her husband, Mrs. Banks hires his childhood nanny, the "Holy Terror" Mrs. Andrews. Played with a sufficient amount of frightening sternness, Sarah Thomson commands the stage, and performs Brimstone and Treacle. A wonderful bit of physical comedy takes place here with the children, and Mrs. Banks, with the three of them leaning, leaning away from the Holy Terror.

Just when this audience member thought things couldn't get any bigger, or any grander, the cast performs "Step in Time." Chimney sweeps young and old, all dressed identically in black outfits and red kerchiefs, tap dance, high step and sing their hearts out. At this point, the music switches from accompanist Jim Thorn's dynamic piano to a couple of recorded tunes, necessary to project over the sounds of so many dancing feet.

Altogether, this production was a truly heartening display of community effort. The cast and crew's dedication and hard work was clearly evident in the precision and care in the blocking, choreography, special effects, lighting and stage direction. The full-house audience was appreciative and responsive. Our region is truly fortunate to benefit from the passions and talents of so many.

Due to popular demand, additional shows have been added. Shows on November 30 and Dec 6 will be at 7 p.m. Shows on November 30, December 1 and 7 will be at 3 p.m., with two shows on November 30.