‘Mary Poppins’ brings hermagic to Genesius
Just in time for the Jolly ‘O’liday’s, Genesius Theatre presents the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical – Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” Dec. 9 through 18 at the Tenth & Walnut theater.
Reading’s own Jessica Kostival, will portray Mary Poppins through a special arrangement with Actors Equity Association-Special Guest Artist Contract.
Kostival was on Broadway in “42nd Street” as Dorothy Brock, “A Christmas Carol” at Madison Square Garden, “Magnolia in the National Tour of “Show Boat.” She also portrayed Anna in “the King and I” Anna at Genesius in 2014.
The colorful world of Mary Poppins comes to life like one of Bert’s pavement chalk drawings and is complete with rousing dance numbers, sweet comedy, and the beloved songs from the classic film. Greater Reading families are invited to travel across the Atlantic to Cherry Tree Lane where the Banks family is about to be introduced to a magical nanny who is “practically perfect in every way.
Adapted from the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film this musical, Mary Poppins, features music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles, and Anthony Drewe.
The story has enchanted young and old for decades. 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 has a profound effect upon. Even grownups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that, “Anything can happen if you let it.”
Mary Poppins is an ensioned in the Walt Dischanting mixture of an irney film in 1964 starring resistible story, unforgetJulie Andrews and Dick table songs, breathtaking Van Dyke. The stage verdance numbers, and assion was first presented tonishing stagecraft. in London’s West End in
The score features your 2004, then on Broadway favorite Poppins tunes in 2006 where it ran unincluding “A Spoonful til March 2013. of Sugar,” “SupercalifraIn addition to Kostival gilisticexpialidocious,” as Mary Poppins the Gen“Jolly Holiday,” “Let’s esius Cast Includes: Alex Go Fly a Kite,” “Step in Krick as Bert, Jordan Time,” and “Chim Chim Baylor as George Banks, Cher-ee.” Lindsey Villecco as Win
The eight children’s ifred Banks, Bridget Otbooks by P.L. Travers, tinger as Jane Banks, published from 1934 to Zach Green as Michael 1988, first introduced Banks, Brian Trupp as us to the magical nanny Admiral Boom, Lyndwho floated into the lives sey Bosold as Mrs. Brill, of the Bank’s family at 17 Brandon Kegerize as RobCherry Tree Lane. Mary ertson Ay and a special Poppins’ encounters with guest appearance by one chimney sweeps and other of the first Genesius accharacters were re-envitors dating back to 1971 – Linda Reedy as the Bird Woman.
“Mary Poppins,” is being directed by veteran local actor, director and music director Christopher Sperat and music directed by veteran local actor and music director, Kevin Cooper. Jericho Joy, Genesius’s Director of Dance and owner of Monarch Dance Studio is the choreographer! The production is produced by Genesius Artistic Producer, L J Fecho, set design by Brandon Kegerize and L J Fecho, lighting design by Spencer Moss Fecho and Julia Elberfeld, sound design by Albert Garcia, projections by Jordan Baylor, stage managed by Sarah Kiebach, costumes coordinated by Becka Malanious, Dara Himes and Cathy Miller, with set construction by John Bigos, Brandon Kegerize and Betty Gerstner.
“Mary Poppins” opens Friday, Dec. 9 and runs Dec. 10, 11, 16, 17, 18. Evening perfromances are at 7:30 p.m., matinees at 3 p.m. For Tickets please visit - www.genesiusdifference.org or call 610373-9500 card fees apply. Tickets may also be available at the door.
Genesius Theatre is located at 153 North 10th Street, Reading, PA 19601
Genesius Theatre is handicapped accessible and there is free parking (limited spaces available) next to the theater. For more information, call the theater at 610371-8151.