FALL RIVER — On Stage Theatrical Productions' spring show is a high-flying production that’s sure to entertain the entire family.
On Stage will bring the Broadway version of “Mary Poppins” to the stage at Bristol Community College this weekend. “This show is ‘practically perfect’ in every way,” said On Stage Artistic Director/Producer Linda Mercer-Botelho in a press release for the musical. “It includes all your favorite songs, and it is full of energetic dancing, flying characters, colorful creative sets, wonderful costumes, and lots of heart. It’s simply ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.’”
Fall River high school student Victoria Pimental is taking on the role of the magical nanny Mary alongside Iain Yarbrough as Bert, Benjamin Schnurr as Mr. Banks, Olivia Ustinovich as Mrs. Banks and Sophie DeOliveira and Gavin Maccarone as their children, Jane and Michael.
Directed by Mary Elizabeth Rich, the production features musical direction by Roger Botelho Jr., and choreography by Linda Mercer-Botelho and Lisa Mailloux. Mary and Bert both take flight with flying effects by Flying by Foy during the fanciful musical that features sets by local set designer Bob Perry.
In addition to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” the musical is jam-packed with music from the perennially popular Disney movie including “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” said Mercer-Botelho.
Those who have only seen the movie will find several new songs in the musical including “Practically Perfect,” “Brimstone and Treacle,” and “Anything Can Happen.”
Describing it as a “huge show,” she said the production has a cast of about 100, and close to 400 costumes for numbers in which the cast is featured as bumblebees, Victorian children, bankers and more.
After a few dress rehearsals last week, Mercer-Botelho said she’s excited to bring it to the stage at BCC. “It’s really coming together,” she said, adding, “The message of the show is great, that family is so important and anything can happen.”
“Mary Poppins” is based on the series of children’s books by P.L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The original music and lyrics are by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with book by Julian Fellowes. New songs and additional music and lyrics are by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.
On Stage’s “Mary Poppins” will be staged at Bristol Community College’s Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts Center on Saturday April 6, at 7 p.m. and Sunday April 7, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 for adults and $12.50 for children age 10 and younger. Tickets can be ordered online by visiting onstagefr.org (click on Mary Poppins tickets) or by calling 508-673-4880.
Email Linda Murphy at lmurphy@heraldnews.com.