SUNDRE – Sundre and area fans of live stage theatre weren’t about to miss their chance to check out a classic magical musical popularized by Disney.
All six crowd-pleasing performances of B.S. Productions’ rendition of Mary Poppins that were spread out over two weekends in February filled up the Sundre Arts Centre.
Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, the musical was brought to life by Brian Bailey, director, alongside his creative and musically inclined counterpart Jamie Syer, music director.
The adaptation is based on a blend of the stories by P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film featuring original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman along with some new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Styles and Anthony Drewe.
“This 2004 London and Broadway production kept some of the best parts of the Disney film and added wonderful new music and a deeper, richer story line,” wrote Bailey in the show’s program.
While Mary Poppins, played by Aryn Werezak, is the story’s main protagonist who drives the narrative and offers a guiding hand, the tale is at heart about the Banks family, he said.
“Families come in all shapes and sizes and are constantly evolving; but even the most cohesive family could sometimes use a referee,” he said.
Friendly chimney sweep Bert was played by Edwin vanderHelm while the Banks were brought to life by Joshua Kopp, who took on the role of the family’s stern and stressed-out patriarch George, Ariana Kopp, who played the concerned and supportive Winifred, as well as Ivy Saunders, who played the bright and precocious Jane, and Malachi Enns, the cheeky little brother Michael.
The non-profit theatre group always strives to set the bar high by picking all-ages productions such as Matilda and Anne of Green Gables.
In 2023, Syer and Bailey even embarked on a unique endeavour when they composed their first-ever original Broadway-style, family-friendly musical called Camp Spartan.
“We gravitate towards larger, challenging shows which include youth and adults,” wrote Bailey.
“Casting is always a concern, but we were very impressed with the turnout for auditions,” he said about what ultimately became an ensemble of 31 actors who embraced the opportunity to take on a role in Mary Poppins.
“We have never, in our 10-show history together, had a singing and dancing ensemble like this,” he said.
“Most of them don’t have named roles, but they flood and immerse the stage, then withdraw until the next wave rolls in.”
Syer said in response to follow-up questions that they couldn’t have been more pleased by how the performances came together.
“We are absolutely delighted with our fine cast of kids, teens and adults,” he said.
“They’ve worked hard over six months to put the show onstage.”
Following this past weekend’s final three shows, more than 1,100 people will have enjoyed the production, he said.
While the cast had their work cut out memorizing their lines and dance routines, there were another roughly 20 volunteers doing essential jobs backstage and front of house, he said.
Working behind the scenes to bring the whimsically magical nanny to life were stage managers Shelley Ingeveld and Krista Saunders as well as the wardrobe team Tracy Hooch-Antink and Colette Belanger.
The music was performed by Syer, conductor and keyboard, as well as Bailey on percussion, accompanied by Diana Kleinloog on cello and Laurie Syer on bass.
Choreographing the impressively well-synchronized and plentiful dance routines were Paige Read, Rylee Rosenberger, Lynley Hall and Wendy Read with Move Yourself Dance.
