It seems more than fitting that the central character of Columbus North High School’s production of “Mary Poppins” this weekend pops into the show in a rather not-so-subtle entrance.
That dramatic special effect — without spoiling the surprise — merely prepares the audience for the adventure of many more to come in the school’s biggest, most lavish and most expensive presentation that anyone can ever remember.
Clearly, organizers lost in the spirit of the school’s 150th anniversary are aiming for it to be supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Times four.
Take the aforementioned special effects. And ask Molly Nelson, playing the lead character with a convincing British accent, what her reaction would be if she were in the audience witnessing some of the stage wizardry for the first time.
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“My jaw would be hanging open,” Nelson said, readily acknowledging that her special-effects-saturated generation can be tough to impress.
Keep in mind that the school’s over-the-top musical, based on the books of P.L. Travers and the classic, 1964 Walt Disney film about a firm-but-fun nanny, is under the direction of John Johnson, North’s longtime drama coach. Like many, he loved the film, starring Julie Andrews in the title role, as a child (it also was his mom’s favorite). So if you think he’s going to treat this like any other show, you might as well be whisked away by the title character’s magical umbrella.
And that serves as a good reminder to say that the central characters in the local presentation fly, courtesy of tethered harnesses from ZFX Flying Effects, as easily as the kite that lifts off during the tune “Let’s Go Fly a Kite.”
“This is the only show that has ever scared me,” John Johnson said, referring to the size, scope, expense and complexity.
He emphasized that this version of the story is based on a revamped Broadway touring production. So it features some new tunes, a faster pace and other elements to keep the classic tale fresh as the philosophical savior-nanny saves the dysfunctional Banks family.
“This is new,” the director said. “But it’s familiar and comfortable, too.”
And whether old or new, the musical numbers offer far more than a catchy melody or whimsy, according to actor Josh Johnson. He plays Bert, the chimney sweep who is Poppins’ longtime friend. Take a sequence after family leader Mr. Banks has lost his job and his wife battles depression.
After a whimsical dance number, Bert then offers a straightforward bit of wisdom that sounds magically sound for those facing adversity: “Troubles are never so bad when you can look at them from a little higher up.”
“There are a lot of hidden meanings and life lessons,” Josh Johnson said.
One of the lessons of this show’s production is that it has required everyone to help in multiple aspects. Last week, with a deadline looming for the set of the Banks family’s London-based Cherry Tree Lane home, even the cast jumped in for an all-nighter to build set pieces. Josh Johnson found himself painting the home’s chimney.
“I guess that fits me,” he said, referring to Bert’s occupation.
More than anything, Nelson hopes the cast can help adult audience members fly back to their past, in a sense.
“I want people to be able to feel like a child again — like they are being visited by Mary Poppins,” Nelson said.
She also hopes they can feel a certain other special effect of the elaborate presentation.
“I think,” Nelson said, “that it’s something so magical that people are going to be saying, ‘Wow!’”
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What: Columbus North High School Theatre Department’s production of the musical "Mary Poppins," based on the newer, touring stage show with some added elements not included in the 1964 film.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Principal characters: Mary Poppins – Molly Nelson; Bert — Josh Johnson; Katie Nana/Mrs. Corry — Sawa Hashizume; Michael — Jackson Miller; Jane — Elizabeth Alderfer; policeman/Von Hussler/etc. –Colvin Iorio; Miss Lark/etc. — Claire Baker; Admiral Boom/Annie/etc. –Sam Lay; Mrs. Brill — Caitlin Davey; George Banks — Grant Jackson; Winifred Banks — Julia Iorio; Robertson Ay — Ben Dickerson.
Tickets: $8, available at bcsc.k12.in.us/northdrama or at the door.
Information: Facebook page for North Drama.
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