5
entertainment
07.23.2015
ISLAND WAVES
Play Review
by AMBER QUAID managing editor
S
upercalifragilisticexpialidocious is the only way to describe the newest musical at the Harbor Playhouse. On July 10 the playhouse opened their stage to the Broadway musical “Mary Poppins.” This American musical fantasy brings the story of a household where the father is too busy for family due to his job, the wife has had a status in society change, and the kids are running wild around because of the lack of supervision. That is until there is a change in the wind and Mary Poppins comes along. “A carpetbag, a parrot head umbrella, and a change in the wind can only mean one thing, Mary Poppins,” said Emily Sarah Moore, director. “Mary teaches us that anything can happen if we just get out of our own way and that is what we have tried to do with this production.” The five time Oscar Award winning production of “Mary Poppins” has been turned into a Broadway musical and brought to the Harbor Playhouse stage. Through the direction of Emily Sarah Moore the show filled the house opening night. The show had some minor changes from the original book and movie edition to make it suitable for the stage but still kept all the magic and wonder of the original production.
“I love the way they sing, the whole choreography, the energy,” said San Antonio resident Alma Sherrill. The show consists of two acts and has a 15-minute intermission in between. In act I there are scenes such as “Jolly Holiday” and “A Spoonful of Sugar.” During the intermission there is a lounge to stretch ones legs and a concession stand to curb peoples thirst or appetite. In act II there are scenes such as “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” and “Step in Time.” Throughout the musical there is a man behind the scenes making sure all the music and performance go smoothly. This man is Eli Gonzalez and he making his music director debut with “Mary Poppins.” Gonzalez is a sophomore vo-
cal music major at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and has been involved at the Harbor Playhouse for the past five years. In addition to Gonzalez there is another university student in the production, Sabrina Salizar. She plays the role of Queen Victoria as well a as chimney sweep. The whole cast and crew consists of more than 60 people in total. “I feel so honored to have worked with this amazing cast and production team,” said Gonzalez of his directorial debut. “I was terrified when I started because I had never music directed on my own before. The amount of professionalism and patience they showed me made me feel like I was doing something
photos by Amber Quaid
TOP: The whole new Broadway experience of “Mary Poppins” are captured through excellent performance, costumes and choreography. LEFT: Bert (played by Peter Howard) adds an extra zing to the song “It’s a Jolly Holdiay” with an eyecatching suit and choreography. ABOVE: Mrs. Corry’s talk shop is full of conversation and leads into the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious song and dance number. RIGHT: Mary Poppins (played by Lauren Moore) gives Jane Banks (played by Cara DeGaish) a spoonful of sugar during the musical number to help clean up the mess.
right. I felt right at home doing what I love. I am so proud of this production. I will never forget this experience.” The show will continue until Aug. 16 with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday performances start at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be ordered in advance and are sold at the box office. “The show is incredible,” said Sherrill. The Harbor Playhouse,,annually, hasmore than 700 volunteers, actors, technicians and support staff that give their time.For more information go online to www.harborplayhouse.com or call them at 888-7469.