(MANASQUAN, NJ) -- The first production of the 2022-23 season at Algonquin Arts Theatre is Mary Poppins, which runs through Sunday, July 31. One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical! Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences.
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 members 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 upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."
Here are some photos from the production.
The cast includes Julia Lupi (Mary Poppins); Edward Itte (Bert); Anthony Greco (George Banks); JQ Hennessy (Winifred Banks); *Summer Elizabeth Sprague (Jane Banks); *Keegan Robert Haack (Michael Banks); Gina Lupi (Mrs. Brill/Bird Woman); Lindsay Abbot (Miss. Lark/Ensemble); *Immanuel Archilla (Northbrook/Mr. Punch/Ensemble); Meredith Buchholtz (Miss. Andrew/ Mrs. Corry/ Queen Victoria / Ensemble); Paul Caliendo (Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman/Ensemble); *Sophie Creed (Ensemble); Noah Ferro (Ensemble); Jayden Fusco (Robertson Ay); *Luke Hall (Doorman/Ensemble); Jaclyn Itte (Ensemble); *Brielle Karolak (Frannie/Ensemble); *Alyssa Kiselev (Neleus /Valentine /Ensemble); *Ainsley Lang (Katie Nanna/Glamorous Doll/Ensemble); *Sebastian Morales (Messenger/Ensemble); Michael C. Olender (Park Keeper/Ensemble); Jennah Rihacek (Miss. Smythe/Ensemble); *Carl Sterling Smith (Teddy Bear/Ensemble); Olivia Totaro (Annie/Ensemble); Robert Weinstein (Policeman/Von Hussler/Ensemble). *Participants in the Algonquin Youth Ensemble (AYE).
The Mary Poppins creative team includes; Director/Choreographer: Jessica O'Brien, Music Director: Stephen Strouse, Assistant Choreographer & AYE Teaching Artist: Ariana Centamore, Producer: Julie Nagy, Associate Producer/Production Manager: Joe Ficarra, Lighting Designer: Roman Klima, Scenic & Sound Designer: Jan Topoleski, Prop Designer: Amy Fitzgerald, Costumer: Joanne Penrose, Wardrobe Assistant: Danielle Best, Production Stage Manager: Rachel Krupnik and Rehearsal Stage Managers: Julia Catuogno and Benjamin Neller.
Tickets start at just $26 and may be purchased at www.algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by visiting the Algonquin Arts Theatre box office Monday through Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm located at 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, New Jersey.
The Algonquin Arts Theatre production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins is a musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film; Original Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman; Book by Julian Fellowes; New Songs and Additional Music and Lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe; Co-Created by Cameron Mackintosh. A Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Show and series producers include: Janice Blanton, Deborah Dec, James & Arlene Donegan, JL Grandinetti, Vincent Gifford, Boris Jelic, Diane & Jerry Levitz and “Broadway” Ray Soehngen.
All photos by Michael Franken
