GALLANT 3130 GALLANT FALL 2014

‘Practically Perfect’ in every way Mary Poppins brings family focused fun to the stage

Feature

Words and Pictures by Sara Warrender

Lynchburg Living 8382 April 2014

Costumes splashed with bright colors graced the Liberty Uni-versity Tower Theater stage as the performers wearing them smiled widely at the sold out audience for the opening night of Alluvion stage company’s rendition of Mary Poppins Friday, April 11.

According to Liberty’s Tower Theater website, Mary Poppins is based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Dis-ney film. Set in England during 1910, the play highlights the relationship between the Banks family and Mary Poppins, who teaches them to value each other once again.

As an Alluvion production, performers of Mary Poppins were as diverse as the costumes they wore. Those from outside of Liberty were invited to try out for the play, and as an added bonus, each performer was paid and able to list the perfor-mance on their resumes.

Carson Burkett, a Liberty alumni, came back to Lynchburg to play the part of Bert and according to Burkett, the play high-lights deep lessons and focuses on relationships. “This isn’t necessarily touched on in the movie, but I love how the mu-sical itself touches on the importance of family relationships

and marriage,” Burkett said. “That’s one of my favorite parts, the subplot with Mr. and Mrs. Banks and their changing rela-tionship and how they realize how much that unity matters in a marriage.”

Many different lessons are taught by Mary Poppins through-out the play such as how to work cheerfully, how to use one’s imagination and treat each day as an adventure, the worth of money, and how important it is to choose words carefully. Oftentimes these lessons were highlighted by beloved Mary Poppin’s songs such as “Feed the Birds”, “Jolly Holiday”, “Step in Time” and “Chim-Chim Cher-ee”.

Tough lessons were also taught to the Banks family as every-day hardships were encountered. When Mr. Banks felt stress at work during the play’s first act and was harsh with the chil-dren, Mary Poppins served as a reminder that children must sometimes take care of their parents in life.

“I think it’s just a powerful story of family and that no family is too broken that God can’t mend that, that those relationships really intervene,” ensemble cast member Timmy Williamson said. “Sometimes it takes another person like Mary Poppins or

Bert to really help people see the truth and can be made whole again in a family.”

According to Liberty’s Tower Theater website, Mary Poppins uses a mix of magic and common sense to teach the family her lessons. Many stunts were used in the play, such as Mary Poppin’s flying stunt. According to Director Linda Nell Cooper, Mary Poppins is the grandest musical Alluvion has brought to life. Audience members can expect to see 400 props, 300 lights, 200 costumes, five levels of staging and 32 pairs of tap shoes used in the performance.

“Tons and tons of props and set pieces (were used) …,” Wil-liamson said. “It was really fun with the different tricks.”

Although the play was set in 1910, the cast of Mary Poppins brought the story to life on Liberty’s stage and will continue performances throughout May. Tickets can be purchased on-line at ticketreturn.com, over the telephone at (434) 582-SEAT or at the Vines Center box office. ∏Sara Warrender

“I think it’s just a powerful story of family and that no family is too broken that God can’t mend that, that those relationships really intervene,” ensemble cast member Timmy Williamson said.

Director Linda Nell Cooper

“Mary Poppins is the grandest musical Alluvion has brought to life.”