Mary Poppins
at Oakton High School

Reviewed on May 9, 2015

Alexandra Dauchess
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Magical nannies, bottomless bags, tap-dancing chimney sweeps and more enchanting fun can only be found in one place: Oakton High School's charming rendition of Broadway's favorite "Mary Poppins"! Oakton's cast, crew, and orchestra brought this timeless tale to life with energizing dance numbers, thrilling vocal performances, and high-flying antics that had the audience on their feet!

"Mary Poppins", with a script by Julian Fellowes and music by the famous Sherman brothers, is a delightful fusion of the beloved children's book by P. L. Travers and the celebrated 1964 Disney film of the same name. The show first premiered on West End in 2004, winning several awards for its fantastic adaptation to the stage, then quickly transferred to Broadway in 2006. It became an instant fan favorite, receiving seven Tony Nominations and enjoying several successful national tours.

Set in the bustling city of London, this musical follows the story of the more than slightly dysfunctional Banks family, consisting of the workaholic banker Mr. Banks and the eager but easily discouraged Mrs. Banks who are in constant search of a proper nanny who can withstand the antics of their children, Jane and Michael. When the wind blows in a rather peculiar nanny named Mary Poppins, life in the Banks house is turned upside down as the stubborn and resilient Mary, with the help of kind-hearted chimney sweep Bert, show the Banks' the importance of love and family.

The students at Oakton tackled this difficult show with grace and ease, transporting audiences back into twentieth century England with the help of a lively ensemble and dedicated performances from the entire cast. The shining star of the production was Megan Griggs (Mary Poppins) whose "practically perfect" vocals and wonderful character choices helped her to embody the rosy cheeked, umbrella toting nanny who knows how to have a little fun. Mr. Banks (Rob Condas) also proved himself a stand out performer as his strict, domineering presence commanded the stage. Condas' powerful vocals and no-nonsense attitude created a wonderful tension between himself and the frazzled Mrs. Banks (Savannah Hard) and gave the show a serious dynamic. Exuberant performances from both Jane (Lindsey Jacobson) and Michael (Cassie Wiltse) provided the show with a youthful energy and comedic flare that lent a realistic feeling to the otherwise fanciful world of Mary Poppins.

But the show wouldn't have been complete without incredible set work, lighting, and impressive dedication from the ensemble. The sets, although tending to be simplistic, were clean, crisp and very convincing; from the marble pillars in the bank office, to the fire burning in the hearth. Smooth transitions between scenes gave an effortless flow to the show that the crew was careful not to break, even during black-outs. Shadowing effects caused by lighting helped to bring the magic of the musical to life as it allowed for a fuller, all-around effect. The ensemble brought a contagious energy in their songs as they delivered tight harmonies, impressive gymnastic sequences, and precise coordination that helped them look spic-and-span from head to toe. Another impressive element of the show was the wire work done by the crew that allowed Mary to make several prominent departures and Bert to test the limits as he danced across the ceiling!

Despite some lighting and sound problems, the students of Oakton High School put on a fabulous performance of the beloved classic "Mary Poppins" and gave audiences a treat they will never forget!

Caitlin Wagner
Wakefield School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Oakton High School's performance of Mary Poppins made the medicine go down without any help of a spoonful of sugar. Throughout the musical, the audience could not stop tapping their feet or clapping their hands to the catchy tunes from the orchestra and the energetic singing from the performers.

Adapted from the Broadway Musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film, Mary Poppins is about the Banks family and their search for a perfect nanny to discipline their children. When Mary Poppins shows up one day, the Banks children enter fantastic worlds and play games, all the while learning the manners necessary to make them "practically perfect." Meanwhile, Mary Poppins teaches George and Winifred the importance of their children and spending time with their family.

The acting and singing in this performance were impeccable; there were no weak voices to be heard. George Banks, played by Rob Condas, carried himself well and played a distressed and orderly man who had no time for fun. In Act II, his character changed and opened up and his vocals were very good and his emotions believable. The chemistry and relationship between George and Winifred (Savannah Hard) was also believable and carried the storyline well. Hard excelled in Act II and her vocals were beautiful. Mary Poppins, played by Megan Griggs, could not have been given to a better actress. Griggs fully embodied the stern yet whimsical nature of Mary Poppins and her vocals were strong throughout the show. Jane and Michael (Lindsey Jacobson and Cassie Wiltse respectively) were also well performed, and their sizes were well chosen to make them truly seem like children. They played humorous and perfectly naughty children. In addition, the vocals of Miss Andrews, played by Jillian Tate, were exceptional and her vocal range stood out among the rest.

The magic and special effects in Mary Poppins were well done and not over the top. The use of the carpet bag was excellent and the tricks with the plates and table falling and coming back up were also exceptional and in no way cheesy. In Act I, the sound was a battle between the actor's mics and the orchestra but by Act II, all problems had been fixed and the two went seamlessly together. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" had great energy and the choreography was very good. In "Step in Time," however, the choreography was over the top. Much of the choreography seemed forced and always ended with Mary in the middle with jazz hands around her.

The set transitions flowed seamlessly and had the audience focus on actors outside the curtain while the set was being changed. The fly team did a good job with Mary's flight and Bert's walking on the walls and upside down.

Oakton High School should be very proud of their performance of Mary Poppins as it was a fun-filled, foot-tapping, jolly good holiday with Mary and the cast.

Amanda Johnson
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

A single spotlight points behind the audience at a threadbare man as he begins to meander through the audience, singing a tune with an air of mystery on his way towards the stage. As he introduces the members of the Banks family in his song, a spotlight illuminates each one where they stand on the stage. A sudden flurry of activity commences as the actors of Oakton High School plunge straight into the magical story of Mary Poppins.

The musical premiered on the West End in 2004 and ran for over three years, with its success leading to the opening of the musical on Broadway, which subsequently ran for more than six years. Based on the book by P. L. Travers and the Disney movie, both sporting the same title, Mary Poppins is about an extraordinary British nanny who takes charge of two selfish and out-of-control children, Jane and Michael Banks, and molds them into compassionate individuals.

Oakton High School's performance was cemented by its focused and wildly talented cast. From the acrobatic dancing chimney sweeps to the stiff and serious bankers, each and every character had his or her own personality and managed to stay high-energy and in-the-moment.

The shining star of the production was Megan Griggs in the role of Mary Poppins herself. With constant poise and an air of vanity, Griggs convincingly portrayed the complex role of the magical nanny. Another bright spot was Michael Williamson as Bert, a man of many professions and a friend to Mary. Though the role is strenuous, Williamson tirelessly tacked it head-on and consequently created a fun and dynamic character.

A stand-out vocalist was Jillian Tate as the terrifying Miss Andrew, flawlessly hitting a massive range of notes in her daunting rendition of the haunting song titled "Brimstone and Treacle." A more understated notable singer was Savannah Hard in the role of Winifred Banks, beautifully executing a heartfelt performance of "Being Mrs. Banks."

With subtle colors and a refined look, the set design by Scott Szpisjak and the OHS Tech Crew beautifully and cleverly reflected the time period. Though there were many special effects created to demonstrate the magic brought on by Mary's presence, the most remarkable of all was the ability to fly. The fly crew did a marvelous job of smoothly assisting Mary in her flight and Bert as he traveled "over the rooftops," walking up the side of the stage.

Oakton High School's performance was filled to the brim with magic and wonder, and the conclusion of it was met with a well-deserved standing ovation by the awestruck audience.

Megan Zywicki
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com- CH/Lorton/Oakton

Oakton High School's production of Mary Poppins certainly was a "Spoonful of Sugar" and brought to life the small family that lives on Cherry Tree Lane. The combination of costumes, sets, lights and acting choices gave a vibrant revival to a timeless classic that has been loved by many and will be remembered for years to come.

Mary Poppins is a musical with music and lyrics by the Academy Award-winning Sherman Brothers and a script by Julian Fellowes. The musical is based on the similarly titled series of children's books by P. L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film, and is a fusion of various elements from the two.

The show is introduced by Bert (Michael Williamson) and his lovable, cheerful demeanor. We are then presented the familiar family that lives on Cherry Tree Lane; George Banks (Rob Condas), Winifred Banks (Savannah Hard) and two children, Jane (Lindsey Jacobson) and Michael (Cassie Wiltse). As the children have managed to scare away another nanny, once again the Banks' are at a loss on how to control their children. Until an unpublished advertisement brings an unlikely hero—Mary Poppins.

The mischievous children don't quite know what to think of Mary Poppins (Megan Griggs) but are clearly astounded by how she is "Practically Perfect" and displayed many acts of magic and humor throughout the song. All throughout the show, Griggs portrayed the proper yet lovable nanny we all know from the movie and original Broadway show. She taught these kids lessons they won't soon forget like taking their toys when they aren't "Playing The Game" and of course teaching them that there's a word for everything in "Supercalifragilisictexpialidocious".

The relationship between Mr and Mrs. Banks changed and developed over the course of the show. We were shown why Mr. Banks likes "Precision and Order" when we were introduced to Miss Andrew (Jillian Tate) and we could see Mr. Banks transition into a new man by the end of the show because he realized what was really important in life and wouldn't take it for granted. Both Condas and Hard were strong singers and showed great character development in their individual characters' and their relationship.

Ensemble numbers such as "Jolly Holiday", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "Step In Time" had very high energy from the singers, dancers and leads. At times it was difficult to see what was happening on stage when ensemble members and dancers used the platforms in front of the orchestra but it was a creative idea to give more acting areas.

The technical aspects of this production were very well thought out and almost professional. The use of cyclorama lights was brilliant with vibrant blues, a rippling rainbow and a pink to match the paint of the living room walls. The lights overall tied everything together and was used well with transitions. The fly system is one that is tricky to use was but executed very professionally. The moments with flying were not only impressive but elevated the show to a new level.

Julie Lee
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Connection

The wind has changed and here comes our practically perfect nanny Mary Poppins! Oakton High School skillfully performed the endlessly enchanting tale of Mary Poppins and reconnected the distant hearts of the Banks family.

Based on a series of novels by Pamela Lyndon Travers, the musical version of Mary Poppins was produced by Cameron Mackintosh with original songs by Sherman Brothers and additional numbers by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It debuted in 2004 in West End, United Kingdom, and enjoyed a renowned three-year run. The Broadway version debuted in 2007 and outperformed the West End run by three years and earned seven Tony Award nominations and a win for Best Scenic Design.

Mary Poppins was masterfully played by Megan Griggs, who wonderfully captured the sharp-tongued yet caring young nanny. Griggs' interactions with the children felt natural and sincere, while those with jocular Bert, played by Michael Williamson, were wistful and memorable.

The entire Banks family, including the children Jane and Michael (Lindsay Jacobson and Cassie Wiltse) had great chemistry and tension that detailed a developing familial bond. Mr. Banks, played by Rob Condas, especially had a deep character development. The ensemble bounced with energy, especially during the number "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" with constant movement and never losing a beat.

The technical aspects were particularly crucial to the musical: both the cold, sharp feel of 1930s London and the colorful cheeriness of Mary Poppins' fantastic adventures had to coexist without clashing. The set, though somewhat disjointed in certain places, displayed a creative use of space and structures to maintain a chaotic order of Cherry Tree Lane. The sound was mostly flawless, and the choreography well-designed.

While the wind had changed again and Mary Poppins rode the wind to help another family desperate in need of a magical nanny, Oakton High School's rendition of the musical left all with a spoonful of sugar to help life's occasional bitter medicine.

Zeal An
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The lights arose on a broken family: overworked father, stressed mother, and mischievous, good-for-nothing children. The family's old nanny has just quit, and the kids write their request for what they think will be the perfect new nanny. Although their father tosses their letter in the fireplace, along comes Mary Poppins, a mysterious woman promising to fill this role perfectly. Such began Oakton High School's production of Mary Poppins.

Mary Poppins first appeared in stories written by P.L. Travers before being adapted into a Walt Disney film. From there, the tale was adapted into a play with music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and a book by Julian Fellowes. The play, first performed on Broadway in 2004, followed the Banks family, desperately in need of a nanny to contain their two mischievous children, Michael and Jane. Mary Poppins arrived seemingly out of nowhere, and proceeded to teach the children lessons through unorthodox—and sometimes magical—methods.

Megan Griggs, leading the production as Mary Poppins, shone with consistently excellent vocals. The musical's many numbers allowed Griggs to show off her incredible range and control, and although she was often performing complex choreography, this never detracted from the quality of her singing. In addition to amazing vocals, Griggs' acting was also superb. Maintaining a posh British accent and the confidence to match, Griggs' realization of the slightly larger-than-life character was always a pleasure to watch. Griggs' performance was matched by that of Michael Williamson, playing Bert, a man of many professions who serves as Mary Poppins' companion. Williamson's portrayal of Bert was cheery and happy-go-lucky, yet at the same time reminiscent of a lower-class Englishman. He provided the production with boundless energy, especially in large song and dance numbers like "Step in Time."

Rob Condas played George Banks, the father of the Banks household. Condas displayed a remarkable transformation from the beginning, when he was a stressed and cold-hearted banker who yelled at his children, to the end, when he had changed into a loving family man. Through his mannerisms and voice, Condas played one of the most convincing adults in the play. Michael and Jane, the two Banks children, were played by Cassie Wiltse and Lindsey Jacobson, respectively. The two of them were excellent spoiled children, loud and insolent, yet were able to adapt to the play's many other scenes, becoming awestruck by Mary Poppins' magic, or becoming kind and compassionate characters by the play's end.

The show's talented actors were supported well by the technical elements. Lighting was intelligently designed; in particular, projecting colored light onto a background curtain to match the set pieces helped make each setting fill the stage. Though the set pieces consisted largely of simple movable walls, each was painted and decorated with such detail that every room felt more like an actual home than a stage piece. Some scenes included special effects to bring Mary Poppins' magic to life, including floating scraps of paper and a table that righted itself when broken. Such special effects were executed without a hitch, adding to the fantastical nature of the play without detracting from its pace.

Mary Poppins is a classic tale, and Oakton High School's production surely did it justice. With energetic musical numbers and a cast of impeccable actors, the performance well deserved the standing ovation it received.