Mary Poppins
at Thomas Jefferson High School for Sci/Tech

Reviewed on February 24, 2018

Joe Malone
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

What's one to do when the children are constantly misbehaving, the servants are going mad, and all the babysitters are dropping like flies? Well, have no fear; everyone's favorite flying nanny is here! Mary Poppins has touched down on stage at Thomas Jefferson High School in a production that's practically perfect in every way.

A perfect blend between the writings of P.L. Travers and the 1964 major motion picture from Disney, Mary Poppins is a classic piece of musical extravagance. With a spellbinding score composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with original dialogue by Julian Fellowes, Mary Poppins underwent 2,619 performances on Broadway over the course of seven years and has received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, and winning the award for Best Scenic Design of a Musical in 2007.

The story takes us on a journey through the lives of Jane and Michael Banks, the two terrors of Cherry Tree Lane who have a reputation for being mischievous and troublesome. Their diffident mother and caviling father, Winifred and George Banks, are driven insane by their children's tendency to drive out any and every nanny that comes to stay with them. It is only when all hope seems lost for the Banks family that Mary Poppins appears, quite literally out of thin air, to bring magic and awe-inspiring wonder into their lives…and all it takes is a spoonful of sugar.

Olympia Hatzilambrou left the audience astounded whilst bringing her role of Mary Poppins to life. Her spirited vocal performance and quick wit added incredible vitality and heart throughout the entire production, which was showcased in such hit songs as "Practically Perfect" and "A Spoonful of Sugar". In addition to her stellar vocals, Hatzilambrou played extremely well off her male counterpart, Bert (Joshua Mutterperl), whose sunny disposition brightened the room every time he appeared onstage. Mutterperl established himself as an alluring presence early on with explosive physicality, charismatic mannerisms, and punctual comedic timing. His songs "Step in Time" and "Prologue" truly captured the essence of the lovable chimney sweep we've all come to know so well. Other notable performances included that of Jane Banks (Valerie Nayak), whose bratty yet curious nature brought her character to life with bright and precocious idiosyncrasies as she discovered the world around her alongside her new nanny. Her little brother, Michael Banks (Anyesha Majumdar) had a bubbly attitude that she held consistently for her entire performance. Majumdar's child-like innocence and amusing remarks left the audience in stiches.

The orchestra, or the Poppins Pit, conducted by Ms. Jennifer Matthews, equipped the actors with a mighty musical commentary whose impeccable rhythm rivaled that of a professional symphony. The Poppins Pit offered immaculate precision that never failed to sync up perfectly with the vocal performers whilst also maintaining buoyant sound that truly submerged the audience into an enchanting trance. The special effects, (Avi Urbach), provided a similar sense of wonder. After a hysterical yet clumsy Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) stumbled into two china cabinets and a table, breaking all of it, Mary Poppins magically restored all the damage with a simple snap of her fingers and a flick of her wrist.

Mary Poppins is a spellbinding excursion that reminds audience members what it's like to be a kid. Both an audibly and visually spectacular musical, it encourages all to laugh and ponder as you revel in the fact that "Anything Can Happen if You Let It!"

Maggie Klein
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

"Anything can happen—it's official!" Whether it's statues come to life, sweet shops that sell words, or nannies who can fly, "you can choose the super or the superficial" at 17 Cherry Tree Lane. With robust musical performances and stunning visual elements, Thomas Jefferson High School chose the super in their vivacious production of Mary Poppins.

With a book by Julian Fellowes and music by the Sherman brothers, Mary Poppins fuses together elements of the P.L. Travers children's books and the wildly popular 1964 Disney film. The show originally opened in London's West End in 2004, and the subsequent 2006 Broadway production went on to garner seven Tony award nominations and a whopping 2,619-performance run. The beloved tale focuses on the mischievous, spoiled Banks children who run out nanny after nanny with their antics. Parents Winifred and George are equally troubled, but the family's luck changes with a change of the wind that blows in the enigmatic Mary Poppins. With a spoonful of sugar and a whole dose of moral lessons up her sleeve, Mary Poppins brings laughter, learning, and love to Cherry Tree Lane.

"Uncanny nannies are hard to find," and it's even harder to find an actress with the vocal prowess and commanding presence required of Mary Poppins. Olympia Hatzilambrou more than delivered. Her powerful operatic singing was as "practically perfect" as the song suggests, and her vocal characterization when speaking captured her "prim and proper and never too stern" nature. As the charismatic, jack-of-all-trades Bert, Joshua Mutterperl was as versatile and charming as his character. His consistent Cockney accent, solid vocals, and impressive tap dancing in the high-energy "Step in Time" showed off his variety of strengths. Whether a chimney sweep or a beret-wearing artist, Mutterperl was always engaged and expressive.

Jane and Michael Banks (Valerie Nayak and Anyesha Majumdar respectively) were energetic and endearing as they transformed from bratty to sweet. Their chemistry created a spirited and entertaining sibling dynamic. Louise Hicks was genuine and gentle as the caring Winifred, her soothing voice making "Being Mrs. Banks" a delight. Evan Strong portrayed George's arc from distant father to loving family man with aplomb. Other standouts included the Bird Woman (Miranda Khoury) for her melancholic vocals and the household staff Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) and Roberston Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) for their comedic timing.

A boisterous ensemble made the famed "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" as majestic and fun as it's known for. Vibrant lighting by Pablo McFarlane and Natalie Chin further enhanced the whimsical feeling of the song with a cyclorama that flashed rainbow. Psychedelically swirling lights also created Mary's "magic." Although scene changes were occasionally long, the set fit the show's period to a tee and the orchestra effectively covered transitions. The Poppins Pit was truly one of the strongest components of the production as they played at a near professional level and seamlessly adapted to the pace of the actors.

"Anything can happen if you let it," and Thomas Jefferson High School took these words to heart as they "reached for the heavens and got the stars thrown in" in this stellar production. They put their own brand of magic on this classic show to breathe both new life and nostalgia into their fun-filled performance of Mary Poppins.

Anna Krelovich
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

A grimy man walks down the aisle with only a single spotlight on him, welcoming the audience to Cherry Tree Lane, and with that, the stage comes to life with whimsy and grandeur, the first taste of magic; however, with Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's incredible take on the classic tale, Mary Poppins, it is far from the last.

Based on the classic Disney film as well as the P.L. Travers children's book of the same name, Mary Poppins features music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman, and a script by Julian Fellowes. The show originally debuted on West End, and the Broadway production opened in 2006 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Playing nearly 3,000 performances, the show received 7 Tony nominations, including Best Musical, and winning for Best Scenic design.

Mary Poppins follows the dysfunctional Banks family as they struggle to find a nanny capable of controlling the mischievous children Jane and Michael. After a mysterious woman blows up to their doorstep, they take a chance on one Mary Poppins, who brings the Banks children on astonishingly magical adventures, and brings the Banks family together again.

Olympia Hatzilambrou stunned at the titular Mary Poppins, being perfectly magical yet odd, and exuding nothing but prim confidence. With only a playful smirk, Hatzilambrou was able to engulf the audience into her enchanting aura of mystery. Hatzilambrou was truly "Practically Perfect," with astonishing vocal talent showcased in iconic songs such as "Spoonful of Sugar" and "Anything Can Happen." With Jane and Michael, she was stern but still caring, serving as a kind and gentle figure while maintaining a whimsical stature. As a narrator of sorts, Joshua Mutterperl portrayed Bert, staying on stage for a majority of the show, but never did he lose his delightful charm or perfect cockney accent. Mutterperl had the opportunity to show off his dazzling voice in "Let's Go Fly a Kite," and impressive tap expertise in "Step in Time."

Jane and Michael Banks were portrayed by Valerie Nayak and Anyesha Majumdar, respectively. The children were both playfully youthful, exuding a childlike curiosity and liveliness whenever the duo stepped on stage. Their parents, George and Winifred Banks, were played by the talented Evan Strong and Louise Hicks. Strong was initially guarded and stressed, but soon let his guard down to reveal his emotional vulnerability remarkably. Hicks, on the other hand, was quick to reveal her emotional strife and worries, showing how much she cares for her family with only a harrowed look. The Banks family vocally couldn't be topped, showcasing their talents in songs such as "Cherry Tree Lane" and "Let's Hope She Will Stay." Other stand out performances included Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) and Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) who's hilarious banter easily brought smiles to the audience's face. The entire ensemble had a chance to shine in the rousing song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

The set was breathtakingly dynamic, featuring massive set pieces to transport the audience to the Banks' tidy living room, the nursery, or the grand park. A bold royal blue cyc glowed behind a silhouette of the London skyline to create on of the most spectacular images of the show. Costumes stayed true to the iconic Disney film, with Mary sporting a red coat and flower-topped hat. The orchestra maintained perfect precision and order, sounding on par to a professional pit.

With spectacular actors and magnificent vocalists, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's production of Mary Poppins was indeed practically perfect, leaving the audience with a sense of hope magic may exist, and anything can happen if only they let it.

Easton Boynton
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Talking dolls, flavor changing medicine, and a nanny with a knack for magic? Those aren't things that you see every day, but these are all things that took center stage during Thomas Jefferson High School's production of Mary Poppins.

Originally a children's book series written by P. L. Travers, Mary Poppins was adapted into a film by Walt Disney in 1964. The musical, first premiering in the UK in 2004 and then making its way to Broadway in 2006, is based off of the classic Disney film. Set in 1910, the musical follows two children, Jane and Michael Banks, and their parents, through their struggle to find a nanny that can handle the children for more than a week. One day, "the winds in the east" blow in a peculiar nanny that goes by the name of Mary Poppins. With her oldest and local friend Bert, she takes the children on fabulous adventures in order to teach them the values of family and kind-heartedness.

Olympia Hatzilambrou who played Mary Poppins, an unconventional nanny that is "practically perfect in every way", had a stage presence that was hard to ignore. Her ability to command the stage with both her acting and singing was a pleasure to witness. With quick witted banter and a voice that sent shivers down the audience's spines, Hatzilambrou's performance seemed seamlessly easy. Joshua Mutterperl, who portrayed the lovable chimney sweep Bert, also had a presence that was hard to ignore. His physicality and vocals fit the character like a soot covered glove. Mutterperl did a fantastic job with his consistent accent and relatable demeanor. Together the two had marvelous chemistry. Jane and Michael Banks, played by Valerie Nayak and Anyesha Majumdar, also had a chemistry that was very believable. Even though they portrayed characters that were all over the place, their vocals were quite the opposite. Both actresses had no trouble dominating a song when the occasion was called for.

Performances from supporting characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Banks, Evan Strong and Louise Hicks respectively, were just as delightful to watch. Both had strong and distinct voices that matched their characters well. Their relationship with their children was lovely and heartwarming as well as their relationship with each other. Featured characters like Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) and Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson), the house staff in the Banks' home, also had performances that brought glee to the audience. Robertson Ay had a way of giving the subtlest things import, and Brill's interactions with other characters in the show were a joy to see. The cast as a whole was strong, especially in large numbers such as "Step in Time" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

The technical elements in the show were also very strong. With vibrant sets, clear sound, and imaginative scenery, nothing was lacking. The ingenuity that went into creating these sets brought the wonderful world of Mary Poppins to life in ways that were just as magical as the nanny herself. One moment that stood out was the way the crew was able to make actual kites fly over the audience during "Let's Go Fly a Kite" - a moment that will not fade from the minds of the audience.

All in all, the production put on by the wonderful cast and crew of Thomas Jefferson was one that brought love, laughter, and the value of family to the hearts of every member of the audience. No spoonful of sugar required.

Julia Tucker
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Student Voice

The naughty Banks children are in for a surprise when Mary Poppins is blown to Cherry Tree Lane by a strong wind, carrying her umbrella and carpetbag. Last weekend, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology showed that a little sweetness can truly make bitter better in their magnificent production of Mary Poppins.

The thoroughly beloved Mary Poppins is an American musical based on the Walt Disney movie of the same name. The musical ran on Broadway for a total of 2619 performances and won a Tony in 2007 for Best Scenic Design in a Musical. Set in London during the 1910s, it follows the story of the wealthy Banks family and their two unruly young children, Michael and Jane. When their current nanny quits out of exasperation, the extraordinary Mary Poppins arrives with kindness to share, lessons to teach, and sprinkles of magic to make even the worst days better.

Thomas Jefferson High School's production of Mary Poppins was "Practically Perfect in Every Way". From the expansive and intricate set to the beautifully enchanting vocals, TJ aimed to impress. The large ensemble executed dance numbers with energy and enthusiasm. The actors and the tech crew worked in harmony to bring the magic to life on stage: kites flying, fireplaces glowing, walking mechanical dogs, shelves and tables collapsing. The little details put into every prop and set piece delighted and amazed the audience.

From the second Olympia Hatzilambrou as Mary Poppins entered the stage, all eyes were on her, from the top of her feather hat to the tip of her umbrella. Hatzilambrou astounded the audience with her magnificently divine voice. She hit difficult high notes with mastery and ease beyond her years. In addition to her lovely voice, she exerted the perfect amount of poise as Mary Poppins. She stood proud and tall and was still believable as she played with or chided the kids. Joshua Mutterperl as Bert crafted a lovable and goofy character that made every scene more fun and interesting to watch. He displayed energy and enthusiasm in his role, always using a wonderful English accent and having clear and precise movements.

Louise Hicks and Evan Strong as Mrs. And Mr. Banks, respectively, both exhibited strong vocals and demonstrated depth of character to create their family dynamic. Evan Strong's character evolved, beginning as a stoic yet irritable father and becoming a loving and warm dad to his kids. Anthony Murphy-Nelson as Robertson Ay made the audience cackle with laughter as he flailed across the stage, knocking down shelves and breaking tables, and topped it all off with a beautifully hilarious high note.

Mary Poppins requires plenty of imagination to create the whimsical mood of the show. The tech crew at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology made the reverie come alive with elaborate prop and set design. To accompany such props were sound effects that seamlessly blended with the music and mics. The set was large and unwieldy, but the crew moved it with precision. To create the illusion of being up in the sky, light designers created a backlit city skyline that was simple but added the fanciful atmosphere Mary Poppins needed.

Clocking in at a whopping three hours, Mary Poppins is a difficult show to manage. However, Thomas Jefferson High School executed Mary Poppins with "Precision and Order" that left the audience feeling as if "Anything Can Happen".

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

Grab hold to the string of your kite and step in time over to Thomas Jefferson High School's delightfully performed and splendidly creative production of "Mary Poppins"!

Few are without memory of Mary Poppins soaring down from the sky in the eponymous Disney classic. Based on the film and P.L. Travers' series of children's books, "Mary Poppins" features a book by Julian Fellowes and music and lyrics by the film's original composers, the Sherman Brothers. The musical has become beloved worldwide since its West End premiere in 2004: it opened on Broadway in 2006, collected Olivier and Tony Awards, and launched numerous international tours.

The enchanting tale follows the stiff-laced Banks family, whose dour lives are changed when their newest nanny, Mary Poppins, arrives at their home on 17 Cherry Tree Lane with a no-nonsense attitude, a peculiar carpetbag, and a mysterious habit of causing life to become exciting wherever she goes.

From her arrival on the Banks' doorstep, Olympia Hatzilambrou is truly magical as Mary Poppins. With a crisp, spot-on British accent, and her soaring, sweet soprano elevating tunes such as "Feed the Birds" and "Anything Can Happen", Hatzilambrou brightens the stage with her presence. Firm yet kind, and with a abundance of sharp wit, Hatzilambrou's Mary Poppins lives up to her measurement: "practically perfect."

One of Mary's oldest friends, Bert, is played with grin-inducing charisma by Joshua Mutterpurl. With smudges of dirt on his face and a knack for odd jobs, Mutterpurl brings good cheer and humor to his frequent narration. His happy-go-lucky Bert contrasts well with Hatzilambrou's sterner Mary; their duet, "Chim Chim Cher-ee", is winningly sentimental.

As sweet-faced siblings with naughty streaks, Valerie Nayak's Jane and Anyesha Majumdar's Michael work well together to deliver animated facial expressions, deadpan humor, and eventually childlike bliss on their adventures.

The Banks' household staff - bumbling Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) and irritable Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) - deliver frustration at their employers via astute and amusing banter, though they gleefully let loose in "Spoonful of Sugar".

Additional standouts among the talented cast include Louise Hicks as Winifred Banks, lovely in her sympathetic solo, "Being Mrs. Banks"; and Olivia Johansson's Miss Andrew, the "Holy Terror" of nannies whose Wicked Witch-esque cackle makes for a entertainingly evil enemy.

Aside from executing impressive British accents, the entire company is captivating and upbeat throughout the show. In the bubbly and lightning-fast "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", the cast performs tricky choreography with plenty of pep. Additionally, the ensemble's adaptability - from swirling park-goers to vengeful, living toys to pirouetting chimney sweeps - makes each scene feel full to bursting with joy.

From the marble-toned leotards of the park's statues to the candy-colored finery the members of Mrs. Corry's Talking Shop don, the show's costumes (Masha Goykhberg, et al.) are wonderfully dapper.

A multitude of special effects (Avi Urbach, et al.) are essential to capturing the magic that Mary Poppins brings everywhere she goes, and here they are achieved with style. Mary's "bottomless" carpet bag, kitchen shelves that right themselves at a snap of the fingers, and the myriad of rainbow-hued kites that go soaring over the audience are all enrapturing.

The Poppin Pit provides the showtunes with much aplomb and professionalism - from the spirited "Let's Go Fly A Kite" to the ominous "Playing the Game", every style of music brings toe-tapping elation - and the scene transitions are scored with sweeping instrumentals.

With engaging creativity and an energetic company making each scene as sweet as a gingerbread star, Thomas Jefferson High School's "Mary Poppins" is a jolly holiday for the eyes and ears.

Kathryn Shepherd
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Entertaining through and through, Thomas Jefferson High School's adaptation of Mary Poppins was truly a jolly holiday. Since the movie's release in 1964 and its Broadway debut in 2006, the plight of the Banks family and the nanny that brought them together has become one of the most well known and beloved stories ever to grace the big screen or stage. Thomas Jefferson High School brought to life a colorful and well executed iteration of this paragon of musical theatre.

Key to any production of Mary Poppins is Mary herself. Portraying this quintessential role, Olympia Hatzilambrou was marvelous. With a voice mature beyond her years, Hatzilambrou dazzled with vocals that were practically perfect in every way. Additionally, her chemistry with our favorite chimney sweep, Bert, was excellent. With incredible characterization and unmistakable vocals, Joshua Mutterperl became Bert. We saw the cockney jack of all trades we have all come to know and love right before our eyes. Mutterperl made the audience feel his character's relationship with Mary, and the pain he felt when the chain broke and it was her time to move to the next family.

No production of Mary Poppins is complete without the Banks family. George Banks (Evan Strong) and his wife, Winifred (Louise Hicks), added a masterful dimensionality as the parents of the rambunctious Jane and Michael. They added to the story with the arc of their relationship as well as individual aspects of their performance. Strong exemplified an effective character development as he changed from the stern sovereign of Cherry Tree Lane to a caring father. Hicks also added to the story with her unique relationship to the children. With her facial expressions and her motherly body language, she created a fitting Mrs. Banks as she teetered between the status quo and standing up for her family.

Serving as a key source of comic relief, Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) and Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) had an excellent dynamic that had the audience grinning from ear to ear. In "Spoonful of Sugar" and the scene directly preceding it, we are shown the inner workings of the Banks household as they brilliantly play off of each other and the Banks children.

The pit orchestra was superb. With every instrument in perfect harmony, every song seemed perfect with no mistakes to be heard. They seamlessly played through long transitions, enthralling the audience with every note.

Impressive in its scope, the set was elaborate and fit the time period well. The house, including the nursery, looked as though it was transported from the turn of the 20th century. Laden with paintings and other period decorations, the lower floor, comprised of the office and the sitting room, was masterfully done. Additionally, the effects used to make the kitchen fall apart and magically resemble were impressive and brought the audience closer to the magic.

Thomas Jefferson High School's production of Mary Poppins ran like an engine that had just been oiled. It was a perfect example of why this story has thrived even through the test of time. With an abundance of energy and fervor, this renewal of a childhood favorite makes you fall in love with it all over again.

Miranda Huffer
Woodgrove High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

London's silhouette rests in the background as chimney sweeps tap dance on rooftops. Magic walks through parks, sweet tasting medicine, and a bottomless bag, Mary Poppins is an iconic classic loved by many through their childhoods. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology brought this classic to life on the stage, leaving the audience ready to "Step in Time!"

Loosely based on the P.L. Traver's book series, Mary Poppins became famous in the 1964 Disney film starring Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. Following the magical, mysterious Mary Poppins, the story centers in on the Banks family, an Edwardian British family that consists of George Banks (Evan Strong), the no-nonsense business man, Winifred Banks (Louise Hicks), the unhappy wife, and Jane (Valerie Nayak) and Michael Banks (Anyesha Majumdar), their unruly children. Having driven away all their nannies with their horrid nature, the kids seem to be entirely out of control… until, out of nowhere, Mary Poppins (Olympia Hatzilambrou) seems to appear on a breeze. Bringing love and compassion to the household, Mary gives the children, as well as the parents, a better outlook on life, leaving just as abruptly as she came.

Filled with both energetic dance numbers and solemn moments, the show slid from one scene to another well, despite some long set changes. The high energy numbers of "Step in Time" and "Jolly Holiday," filled with a large, harmonic ensemble, worked well to bring up the pace of the show as well as contrast the slower moments, such as the iconic song, "Feed the Birds," sung by the old Bird Woman (Miranda Khoury).

The cast of leading characters was defined by work in pairs. Mary and Bert (Joshua Mutterperl), the strange narrator, had good chemistry and dynamic together. The Banks children had good energy and sibling relationship, and their parents had a good, complicated dynamic between them, due to the suppression of Mrs. Banks's wishes. The best, most comedic pair of them all was the Banks family's wait staff, Mrs. Brill (Madelyn Khoury) and Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson). The pair of kooky servants had a defined connection that brought many laughs. Mrs. Brill's sass to the family and agitated nature were delivered with excellent timing, especially when she was obsessing over the broken family heirloom.

Defined by Edwardian elements, the set, hair, and costuming of the show all reflected the scenery and the time period excellently. The costumes, headed by Masha Goykhberg and Julia Martinez, had classic elements while also being unique and character-driven. The lighting of the show was creative and colorful, though sometimes leaving actor's faces in the dark.
The set of the house, particularly the kitchen element, was well designed and thought through.

Full of growing family love, magical adventures, and even singing chimney sweeps, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's Mary Poppins brought, love, laughter, and lightheartedness to the stage, and is sure to make anyone shout Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Vanessa Rivera
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

If you need a dash of luck, go for a jaunty little saunter to the rooftops of Cherry Tree Lane and get a handshake from a lucky chimney sweep! Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology's musical production of "Mary Poppins" will have your happiness soaring like a kite in no time!

The books written by P.L Travers and the 1964 Disney movie adaptation has made "Mary Poppins" a worldwide classic. The musical inspired by the films and children's books contain music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and script by Julian Fellowes. First sweeping into Broadway in 2006, the musical ran for over 2,000 performances over nine years.

Starting on Cherry Tree Lane, "Mary Poppins" follows the naughty siblings Jane and Michael Banks and their parents, Winifred and George Banks, as they stumble to find the perfect nanny. The spoiled Banks children have their world turned upside down when the magical Mary Poppins glides into their life. Mary teaches the children to look past the surface, and shows them that anything can happen if you let it.

The lovely operatic voice of Mary Poppins (Olympia Hatzilambrou) exceeded high school expectations, clearly shown in the delectable song "A Spoonful of Sugar". Hatzilambrou's s enchanting voice and luminous personality excellently differentiated from the shrill and harsh Miss Andrew (Olivia Johansson). Hatzilambrou's onstage relationship with Bert (Joshua Mutterperl) was wonderfully developed through longing stares, heartbreaking goodbyes, and playful joking. The pair's connection was beautifully captured in their duet "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Bert himself, the charismatic chimney sweep of various talents, shone with liveliness using tap skills and theatrical capability.

Robertson Ay (Anthony Murphy-Neilson) brought an irreplaceable energy to the show, whether he was shocking the audience with his stunning voice or incandescently showing his comic ability. A standout performer, Bird Woman, played by Miranda Khoury, sang as sweetly as a lovely songbird in "Feed the Birds". Louise Hicks mastered being Mrs.Banks in her role as Winifred Banks. Her comforting and smooth voice complimented her caring despoliation, evident during her singing in "Good for Nothing/ Being Mrs.Banks".

The practically perfect orchestra could step in time with the pace of each singer and remain in pitch through the grandiose tap numbers and softer melodies. A "spit-spot-spic and span" use of lighting created lovely silhouettes of Bert as he sits on the rooftop. Flashes of a bright rainbow brought further life to the knockout group number "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

Strong vocalists, elaborate chemistry, and overall precision and made Thomas Jefferson High School's showing of "Mary Poppins" a jolly holiday with Mary.