Katherine Le Fevre sails into the title role as the stage adaptation of the Disney classic MARY POPPINS takes to the Basie stage over the next two weekends. (Click to enlarge)
When last we looked in on the folks at Phoenix Productions, the Red Bank-based theatrical company was celebrating what was arguably the most significant opening night in its quarter-century history: the dedication of its spacious new state-of-the-art headquarters on Chestnut Street.
Still apparently on cloud nine after that gala affair, Phoenix returns once more to the grand stage of the Count Basie Theatre this weekend, rising to the occasion with a high-flying family favorite musical, Mary Poppins.
The first of two potentially gravity-defying offerings in the 2015 Phoenix season – November’s production of Peter Pan being the other– the recent stage adaptation of the classic 1964 Disney film (itself based on the stories of P.L. Travers) alights on the Basie stage for six performances, beginning this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
All of the signature songs from the classic movie are present and accounted for– “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee”– and the tale of the rambunctious Banks children and their magically mysterious nanny is brought to life via a cast that’s highlighted by Katherine Le Fevre in the title role. Bobby Davis is Bert the Chimney Sweep, with Bob Brown and Patricia Delesky as the beleaguered Banks parents, under the direction of Keith Gissubel. Lindsay Wood is producer, with choreography by Kelly Gemellaro and musical direction by Andrew Macirowski.
Performances of Mary Poppins are Fridays and Saturdays (July 10, 11, 17, 18) at 8 pm, plus Sundays (July 12 and 19) at 3 pm. Take it here to reserve tickets ($22 – $32), or go here for additional information on this and other programs and performances in the 2015 Phoenix season, which continues in September with the Webber-Rice contemporary classic Evita.
